or “Shaykh ‘Adī,” or “Shaykh ‘Abd al-Qādir,” or any other such words or expressions involving calling upon a dead or absent person, asking them for things, seeking their aid in distress, or seeking their support. Rather, these are among the deeds of the polytheists and the acts of worship practised by the misguided.

It is well known that Muhammad, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, is the foremost of creation. It is established in Sahīh al-Bukhārī:

“When the people suffered drought, ‘Umar sought rain through al-‘Abbās, saying, ‘O Allah, whenever we suffered drought, we would seek to draw near to You through our Prophet, and You would grant us rain. Now we seek to draw near to You through our Prophet’s uncle, so grant us rain.’ And they would be granted rain.”

During the Prophet’s lifetime, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, they would seek to draw near to Allah through his supplication and intercession for them. Likewise, on the Day of Resurrection, people will seek to draw near to Allah through him and ask him to intercede with their Lord. Allah will then permit him to intercede, and he will intercede for them. Do you not see that Allah says:

“Who is there who can intercede with Him except by His permission?”

Allah Most High also says:

“Say, ‘Call upon those whom you claim to be gods besides Allah. They do not possess even an atom’s weight in the heavens or on earth, nor do they have any share in either, nor does He have any supporter among them.’”

“Intercession before Him is of no avail except for one to whom He has given permission.”

He, glorified is He, thus makes clear that none of His creatures possesses any part of His dominion, that He has no partner in it, and that He has no supporter—that is, anyone who helps Allah Most High as kings help one another. He also makes clear that intercession before Him is of no avail except for one to whom He has given permission.

“On the Day of Resurrection, people will come to Adam, then Noah, then Abraham, then Moses, then Jesus, asking them to intercede. Yet none of these, who are the foremost of creation, will intercede for them, until they come to Muhammad, may Allah bless him and grant him peace.