and this is contrary to the religion of the Muslims. They use Shiism as a cover. The previously cited, mass-transmitted hadiths from the Prophet concerning the honor due to al-Siddīq and the prohibition against taking graves as places of worship refute these two innovations, which are the root of associating partners with Allah and altering Islam.

Further evidence of this is that Allah did not mention “shrines” or command prayer in them; rather, His commands concern mosques. He, Exalted is He, said:

“Who is more unjust than one who prevents Allah’s name from being mentioned in His mosques and strives to destroy them?”

He did not say, “Allah’s shrines.” Indeed, “the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, commanded ‘Alī not to leave any raised grave without leveling it, or any image without effacing it.” He also prohibited taking graves as places of worship and cursed those who did so. This is therefore a command to demolish shrines, not to cultivate them, whether through physical construction or devotional activity.

He, Exalted is He, said:

“Do not have sexual relations with them while you are in devotional retreat in the mosques.”

He did not say, “in the shrines.” He, Exalted is He, also said:

“Say, ‘My Lord has commanded justice. Direct your faces to Him at every mosque.’”

He did not say, “at every shrine.”

He, Exalted is He, said:

“It is not for the polytheists to maintain Allah’s mosques.”

He did not say, “Allah’s shrines,” for those who maintain shrines are polytheists or resemble the polytheists. The passage continues to His words:

“Only those who believe in Allah and the Last Day, establish prayer, give zakah, and fear none but Allah maintain Allah’s mosques.”

He did not say, “maintain Allah’s shrines.” Rather, those who maintain shrines fear others besides Allah: they fear the dead, but do not fear