exist between kings and their subjects is a polytheist. Indeed, this is the religion of the polytheists who worshipped idols. They used to say that these were images of the prophets and the righteous, and means through which they drew near to Allah. This is among the forms of associating partners with Allah for which He condemned the Christians, saying:
“They have taken their rabbis and monks, and the Messiah, son of Mary, as lords besides Allah, though they were commanded only to worship one God. There is no deity worthy of worship except Him. Exalted is He above whatever they associate with Him.”
Allah Most High also says:
“When My servants ask you about Me, I am indeed near. I answer the call of the supplicant when he calls upon Me. So let them respond to Me and believe in Me, that they may be rightly guided.”
That is: let them respond to Me when I call them through My commands and prohibitions, and let them believe in Me, trusting that I will answer their prayers when they ask Me and humbly entreat Me.
Allah Most High says:
“So when you have finished, strive diligently.”
“And direct your longing to your Lord.”
Allah Most High says:
“When harm befalls you at sea, all those you invoke vanish except Him.”
Allah Most High says:
“Who answers the distressed when he calls upon Him, removes harm, and makes you successors on the earth?”
Allah Most High says:
“Everyone in the heavens and the earth asks of Him. Every day He is engaged in a matter.”
Allah has explained this affirmation of His oneness in His Book and closed off all avenues to associating partners with Him, so that no one should fear anyone other than Allah, place hope in anyone besides Him, or rely upon anyone but Him.
Allah Most High says:
“So do not fear people, but fear Me, and do not exchange My signs for a small price.”
“It is only Satan who makes you fear his allies”—that is, he makes you afraid of his allies—“so do not fear them, but fear Me, if you are believers.”
Allah Most High says:
“Have you not seen those who were told, ‘Restrain your hands, establish prayer, and give zakat’? Then, when fighting was prescribed for them, some of them feared people as they feared Allah, or with even greater fear.”
Allah Most High says:
“Allah’s mosques are maintained only by those who believe in Allah and the Last Day and establish prayer