that blessing could be obtained from them by venerating the idols and calling upon them. Thus, seeking blessing from graves is equivalent to seeking blessing from al-Lat, and seeking blessing from trees and stones is the same as seeking it from al-ʿUzza and Manat.

Lessons derived from the verses:

1. Seeking blessing from trees and stones is polytheism (shirk).
2. It is legitimate to debate the idolaters in order to refute polytheism and affirm tawhid (monotheism).
3. No ruling is established except by evidence that Allah has revealed; mere conjecture and personal desire are of no weight.
4. Allah has established the proof by sending messengers and revealing scriptures.