And when someone says, “Through the shaykh’s blessing,” he may mean the shaykh’s supplication. The supplication most swiftly answered is that of one person for another in his absence. He may also mean the blessing of the good that the shaykh instructed him to do and taught him, or the blessing of his assistance in upholding the truth, his religious fellowship, and similar things. All these meanings are sound.

He may also mean the shaykh’s supplication for the deceased and the absent. For, as regards the shaykh’s independently producing such an effect, or doing something he is incapable of doing, has no power to do, or does not intend—following him or complying with him in this is among reprehensible innovations and other such false notions.

What is beyond doubt is that obeying Allah Most High, believers supplicating for one another, and similar deeds bring benefit in this world and the Hereafter, through Allah’s grace and mercy.

As for the questioner’s inquiry about “the Pole, the Succour, the Unique, the All-Encompassing,” various groups use this expression and explain it in ways that are false according to the religion of Islam. Some, for example, explain “the Succour” as the one through whom assistance reaches all creatures, bringing them help and provision. They go so far as to say that even the angels and the fish of the sea receive assistance through him. This is akin to what Christians say about the Messiah, peace be upon him, and what the extremists say about ʿAlī, may Allah be pleased with him.

This is explicit disbelief. Whoever professes it must be called upon to repent; if he repents, well and good; otherwise, he is put to death. No created being, whether angel or human, is the intermediary through whom all creatures receive assistance. For this reason, what the philosophers say about the “ten intellects,” which they claim are the angels, and what Christians say about the Messiah