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Once it becomes clear what Allah and His Messenger have commanded and forbidden concerning the noblest of creation and the most honoured before Allah, the Almighty and Majestic—the master of Adam’s descendants, the last of the messengers and prophets, the best of all earlier and later generations, and the intercessor with the highest rank and greatest standing before Allah, Blessed and Exalted—it becomes clear that there is even greater reason not to associate any prophet or righteous person below him in rank as a partner with Allah, take his grave as an idol to be worshipped, or invoke him besides Allah, whether during his life or after his death.

It is not permissible for anyone to seek deliverance from any absent or deceased shaykh, saying, for example: “O my master so-and-so, come to my aid, grant me victory, and ward off harm from me,” or “I rely on you,” or similar expressions. Rather, all of this constitutes associating partners with Allah, which Allah and His Messenger have forbidden. Its prohibition is necessarily known to be part of the religion of Islam.

Since those who seek deliverance from the absent and the dead, whether at their graves or elsewhere, are of the same kind as idol worshippers, Satan leads them astray and entices them into error, just as he does idol worshippers. Devils assume the form of the person whose aid is sought and address them by disclosing hidden matters, just as devils address soothsayers. Some of this is true, but it must also contain falsehood; indeed, falsehood predominates over truth.