This passage also stands as a rebuttal to those who commit shirk with the Messenger of Allah—peace and blessings be upon him—calling upon him and seeking his relief while he lies in his grave. Some of them, may Allah protect us, do not even beseech Allah at all; instead they turn to the Messenger alone, as though it were he who answers prayers. Such people have strayed from their religion and have abandoned sound reason. The Messenger—peace and blessings be upon him—could not control harm or benefit for himself, so how could he possibly control it for anyone else?

Allah the Exalted commanded His Prophet:
“Say, ‘I do not tell you that I possess the treasuries of Allah, nor that I know the unseen, nor do I say to you that I am an angel; I only follow what is revealed to me.’” (al-Anʿām 6:50)

He—glorified be He—also said:
“Say, ‘I hold no power for you to bring harm or right guidance. Say, ‘No one can shield me from Allah, and I will never find refuge apart from Him—my duty is only to convey [the message] from Allah and His communications.’” (al-Jinn 72:21–23)

When the verse, “And warn your nearest relatives” (al-Shuʿarāʾ 26:214), was revealed, the Prophet—peace and blessings be upon him—gathered his kinsfolk and proclaimed, “O Fatimah daughter of Muhammad, ask of me whatever you wish of my wealth; I can avail you nothing against Allah.” Think of that! Fatimah—a part of his very flesh, whose pain was his pain—yet he said to her, “I can avail you nothing before Allah.”