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As for the statement attributed to some shaykhs:

“If a calamity or something you fear befalls you, turn to me, and your distress will be relieved, whether I am alive or dead.”

Such words and others like them are either a lie on the part of the transmitter or an error on the part of the speaker. This is a report of unknown authenticity attributed to someone who is not infallible. Whoever abandons an authenticated report from an infallible speaker and follows an unauthenticated report from someone who is not infallible has indeed strayed far astray. It is well known that neither Allah nor His messengers commanded anything of this kind. Rather, Allah Most High said:

“So when you have finished, strive diligently, and to your Lord direct your longing.”

He did not say: “Direct your longing to the prophets and angels.” And He Most High said:

“Say, ‘Call upon those whom you claim besides Him. They have no power to remove harm from you or transfer it.’ Those whom they invoke themselves seek a means of drawing near to their Lord, competing to be nearest; they hope for His mercy and fear His punishment. Indeed, your Lord’s punishment is to be feared.”

A group of the early generations said: Some people used to invoke Ezra, the Messiah, and the angels, so Allah revealed this verse.

The Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, never said to any of his Companions:

“If