for those who believe: ‘Our Lord, You encompass all things in mercy and knowledge, so forgive those who repent and follow Your way, and protect them from the punishment of Hell.’”

“Our Lord, admit them to the Gardens of everlasting residence which You have promised them, along with the righteous among their parents, spouses, and descendants. Indeed, You are the Almighty, the All-Wise.”

“And protect them from evil deeds. Whoever You protect from evil deeds on that Day, You have indeed shown him mercy. That is the supreme triumph.”

Allah Most High also says:

“The heavens almost break apart above them, while the angels glorify their Lord with praise and seek forgiveness for those on earth. Indeed, Allah is the All-Forgiving, the Most Merciful.”

“As for those who take protectors besides Him, Allah watches over them, and you are not a guardian over them.”

Thus, the angels seek forgiveness for the believers without anyone asking them. Likewise, reports that the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, or other prophets and righteous people supplicate and intercede for the upright members of his community fall into this same category: they do what Allah has permitted them to do without anyone asking them.

Since invoking the angels is not prescribed, neither is invoking prophets and righteous people who have died, nor asking them to supplicate and intercede—even if they are invoked and intercede. This is for two reasons:

First, whatever Allah has commanded them to do in this regard, they do even without being asked; and whatever they have not been commanded to do, they do not do even if asked. There is therefore no benefit in asking them.

Second, invoking them and asking them to intercede in these circumstances leads to associating them with Allah in worship. It therefore entails this harm. Even supposing it had some benefit, this harm would outweigh it—how much more so when it has no benefit at all! This differs from asking them during their lifetime and in their presence, for there is no harm