Thus, the purpose of jihad is that none should be worshipped except Allah: no one should invoke, pray to, prostrate before, or fast for anyone other than Him; perform ‘umrah or Hajj except to His House; offer sacrifices or make vows except to Him; swear except by Him; rely upon anyone but Him; fear anyone but Him; or be mindful of anyone but Him. He alone brings good and averts harm; He alone guides His creation, grants them victory, provides for them, frees them from need, and forgives their sins. The Most High says:
“Allah has said, ‘Do not take two gods. He is but One God, so fear Me alone.’
“To Him belongs whatever is in the heavens and the earth, and to Him alone is worship perpetually due. Will you then fear anyone other than Allah?
“Whatever blessing you have is from Allah. Then, when hardship touches you, it is to Him that you cry for help.
“Then, when He removes the hardship from you, some of you associate partners with their Lord,
“showing ingratitude for what We have given them. So enjoy yourselves; you will soon know.”
Allah Most High has forbidden every form of associating partners with Him and setting up any rival to Him. None besides Him may be invoked—not the angels, the prophets, the righteous, the sun, the moon, the stars, idols, or anything else. Indeed, He has made clear that whoever takes the angels and prophets as lords is a disbeliever. The Most High says:
“It is not for a human being to whom Allah has given the Scripture, judgment, and prophethood to then say to people, ‘Be my servants rather than Allah’s.’ Rather, he would say, ‘Be godly scholars because of your teaching of the Scripture and your study of it.’
“Nor would he command you to take the angels and prophets as lords. Would he command you to disbelieve after you have become Muslims?”
And the Most High says: