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 helper among them.”

“Intercession is of no avail with Him except for those to whom He grants permission.”

He—glory be to Him—has explained the error of those who invoke created beings, whether angels, prophets, or others. He made clear that created beings do not possess even an atom’s weight in the heavens or on earth; then He made clear that they have no share in either; then He made clear that He has no helper or supporter among them.

For those who associate partners with Allah liken the Creator to created beings. Some of them say: “If you have a need, call upon Shaykh so-and-so, and you will find him; or take steps toward his tomb and call out, ‘O Shaykh!’ Your need will be fulfilled.” This is an error, and doing so is impermissible. Even if some of those who invoke others besides Allah occasionally see the likeness of the one they invoke, that is a devil appearing to them in his likeness. Such things have happened to many people. Similar to this is the statement of some ignorant followers of Shaykh ‘Adī and others: “Any provision that does not come through the shaykh’s hands, I do not want.”

It is astonishing that anyone of sound mind should call upon someone who is dead and seek his aid—yet not seek the aid of the Ever-Living, who never dies!

One of them says: “If you need something from a king, you seek access to him through his aides; likewise, one seeks access to Him through the shaykhs.” These are the words of people of polytheism and misguidance. A king does not know the needs of his subjects, nor can he meet them on his own, nor does he wish to do so except for some benefit that will accrue