The polytheists acknowledged this aspect of divine oneness, which consists (1) in denying that there can be two creators. The Arab polytheists did not dispute (2) it. For this reason, Allah said to them (3):

“Is One Who creates like one who does not create? Will you not then take heed?”

[Surah al-Nahl: 17]

They thus acknowledged that (4) their gods do not create.

For this reason, Allah [the Most High] mentioned [this] (5) argument after His words:

“Say, ‘To whom belong the earth and all who are in it, if you know?’ They will say, ‘To Allah.’ Say, ‘Will you not then take heed?’ Say, ‘Who is the Lord of the seven heavens and the Lord of the Mighty Throne?’ They will say, ‘Allah.’ Say, ‘Will you not then fear Him?’ Say, ‘In whose hand is the dominion of all things—He Who grants protection while none can grant protection against Him—if you know?’ They will say, ‘Allah.’ Say, ‘How then are you deluded?’ Rather, We have brought them the truth, yet they are surely liars. Allah has never taken a son, nor has there ever been any god alongside Him. Otherwise, each god would have taken away what he had created, and some of them would have risen above others. Glory be to Allah, far above what they ascribe to Him—the Knower of the unseen and the seen. Exalted is He above what they associate with Him.”

[Surah al-Mu’minūn: 84–92]

Their polytheism did not consist in making them creators, but rather in making them intermediaries in worship and taking them as intercessors. They said, “We worship them only so that they may bring us nearer to Allah.”

As Allah Most High said of them: (6)

“And they worship besides Allah that which can neither harm nor benefit them, and they say, ‘These are our intercessors with Allah.’ Say, ‘Are you informing Allah of something He does not know in