And Allah Most High says:

“Among people are those who take others besides Allah as equals, loving them as they love Allah. But those who believe are stronger in their love for Allah. If only the wrongdoers could see—as they will when they see the punishment—that all power belongs to Allah and that Allah is severe in punishment.”

“When those who were followed disown their followers, they will see the punishment, and all ties between them will be severed.”

“Those who followed will say, ‘If only we could return, we would disown them just as they have disowned us.’ Thus Allah will show them their deeds as a source of bitter regret, and they will never leave the Fire.”

Allah Most High also says:

“Say: Call upon those you claim to be gods besides Him. They have no power to remove your affliction or divert it.”

“Those whom they invoke themselves seek a means of drawing near to their Lord, striving to be closest to Him. They hope for His mercy and fear His punishment. Indeed, your Lord’s punishment is something to beware of.”

For this reason, Allah mentions the means, yet commands that they not be relied upon and that hope be placed in Allah alone. When He sent down the angels, Allah Most High said:

“Allah made it only as good news for you and to reassure your hearts thereby. Victory comes only from Allah, the Almighty, the All-Wise.”

He also says:

“If Allah helps you, none can overcome you. But if He forsakes you, who can help you after Him? So in Allah let the believers put their trust.”

We have already explained that supplication is of two kinds: the supplication of worship and the supplication of petition. Both must be directed to Allah alone. Whoever sets up another god alongside Allah will be left condemned and forsaken. One who hopes is asking and seeking; he must therefore place his hope in Allah alone, nor ask