and implores with a fervor he never experiences in Friday prayer, the five daily prayers, or night prayer. Is this anything but the condition of polytheists, rather than those who worship Allah alone? Likewise, when one of them hears poetry recited, he experiences a humility and attentiveness that he never experiences when hearing the Quranic verses. Indeed, they find these verses burdensome and ridicule both them and those who recite them. Thus they are among those to whom His words apply most fully:

“Say, ‘Was it Allah, His verses, and His Messenger that you were mocking?’”

Among those who consider supplicating to the dead better than supplicating to Allah are people who relate that a certain disciple sought Allah’s help, but He did not help him; then he sought his shaykh’s help, and the shaykh helped him. They also relate that a certain captive called upon Allah, but He did not free him; then he called upon one of the dead, who came to him and brought him out to the lands of Islam.

Another said, “So-and-so’s grave is the tried and tested antidote.” Some of them, when hardship befalls them, call upon none but their shaykh, constantly repeating his name as a child constantly calls for his mother.

Yet Allah Most High has said to those who worship Him alone:

“When you have completed your rites, remember Allah as you remember your fathers, or with even greater remembrance.”

And Shu‘ayb said:

“O my people, is my clan more respected by you than Allah?”

And Allah Most High said:

“Indeed, they fear you in their hearts more than they fear Allah.”