Refutation of 15 Major Doubts Related to Monotheism and Beliefs

First Chapter:

The First Call of the Messengers: Teaching the Oneness of God and Worship:

Dear readers!
May Allah have mercy on you. Understand this well that recognizing Allah, Glorified and Exalted, as unique and alone for every kind of worship is called “Tawheed” (Monotheism), and this is the religion of all those messengers whom Allah sent to His servants for this invitation. Among them, the first messenger is Prophet Noah (peace be upon him), whom Allah sent when his people had become excessive in their reverence and devotion towards righteous ones like Wadd, Suwa’, Yaghuth, Ya’uq, and Nasr. (History bears witness that these people began various forms of polytheism at the graves of the righteous, circumambulating graves, seeking help from the people of the graves, and following the tricks of Satan.)
And the last messenger is Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), who broke the idols of these righteous ones. Allah made you, O Muhammad, the messenger to those people who worshipped, performed Hajj, gave charity and alms, and frequently remembered Allah. But among the creations of Allah, some, such as angels, Jesus (peace be upon him), Mary (peace be upon her), and other pious people, they appointed as intermediaries between themselves and Allah and said that through them they seek nearness to Allah and desire their intercession with Allah.
Then Allah, the Exalted, sent Prophet Muhammad Mustafa (peace be upon him) so that he might renew for those people the religion of their forefather Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him) and warn them that this nearness and devotion is only and only the right of Allah. It is not permissible for any close angel, nor is it fitting for any chosen prophet, let alone anyone else. Otherwise, the earlier polytheists also believed that Allah, Glorified is He, is the Creator of the universe without any partner. There is no provider besides Him, no creator besides Him, nor any one who causes death besides Him. There is no doer besides Him, and this earth and sky and all that is in them are His servants and under His control.
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Second Chapter:

The Polytheists’ Acknowledgment of Monotheism and Prophethood:

If you need proof that the polytheists with whom the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) fought and waged jihad believed in the Oneness of Lordship (Tawhid al-Rububiyyah), then consider this divine statement:

﴿قُلْ مَن يَرْزُقُكُم مِّنَ السَّمَاءِ وَالْأَرْضِ أَمَّن يَمْلِكُ السَّمْعَ وَالْأَبْصَارَ وَمَن يُخْرِجُ الْحَيَّ مِنَ الْمَيِّتِ وَيُخْرِجُ الْمَيِّتَ مِنَ الْحَيِّ وَمَن يُدَبِّرُ الْأَمْرَ ۚ فَسَيَقُولُونَ اللَّهُ ۚ فَقُلْ أَفَلَا تَتَّقُونَ﴾

Ask them who creates the earth and the heavens and provides sustenance? Whose possession are hearing and sight? Who brings existence from non-existence and non-existence from existence? (That is, who gives death and life?) And who manages affairs? They will all say that it is Allah. Then say to them, do you not fear Him?
And the divine command is:

﴿قُل لِّمَنِ الْأَرْضُ وَمَن فِيهَا إِن كُنتُمْ تَعْلَمُونَ ‎٨٤‏ سَيَقُولُونَ لِلَّهِ ۚ قُلْ أَفَلَا تَذَكَّرُونَ ‎٨٥‏ قُلْ مَن رَّبُّ السَّمَاوَاتِ السَّبْعِ وَرَبُّ الْعَرْشِ الْعَظِيمِ ‎٨٦‏ سَيَقُولُونَ لِلَّهِ ۚ قُلْ أَفَلَا تَتَّقُونَ ‎٨٧‏ قُلْ مَن بِيَدِهِ مَلَكُوتُ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ وَهُوَ يُجِيرُ وَلَا يُجَارُ عَلَيْهِ إِن كُنتُمْ تَعْلَمُونَ ‎٨٨‏ سَيَقُولُونَ لِلَّهِ ۚ قُلْ فَأَنَّىٰ تُسْحَرُونَ﴾

“Ask them, to whom belongs this earth and whatever is in it? If you know, then say so.” They will say, “To Allah.” Say to them, “Will you not then take heed?” Ask them, “Who is the Lord of the seven heavens and the Great Throne?” They will say, “Allah.” Say to them, “Will you not then fear Allah?” Ask them, “In whose hand is the dominion of everything? And who protects, so that none can protect against Him? If you know, then say so.” They will say, “Everything belongs to Allah.” Say to them, “Then why are you deluded?”
And present to them other similar verses as proof.
When this matter was established beyond doubt that the polytheists acknowledged the Oneness of Lordship, yet their acknowledgment of Lordship did not bring them into the Oneness of worship (Tawhid al-Ubudiyyah) which the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) invited to. And you will also know that the Oneness they denied was the “Oneness of Worship,” which the polytheists of our time call devotion. In other words, they called upon Allah day and night, but some among them called upon angels due to their capability, righteousness, and closeness to Allah, so that they might intercede for them. Or they called upon a righteous person like Lat or a prophet such as Jesus (peace be upon him). And you also understood that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) waged jihad against them because of this polytheism and invited them to sincere worship of Allah.
As Allah Almighty says:

﴿وَأَنَّ الْمَسَاجِدَ لِلَّهِ فَلَا تَدْعُوا مَعَ اللَّهِ أَحَدًا﴾

“And indeed, the mosques are for Allah, so do not invoke anyone along with Allah.”
And the divine command is:

﴿لَهُ دَعْوَةُ الْحَقِّ ۖ وَالَّذِينَ يَدْعُونَ مِن دُونِهِ لَا يَسْتَجِيبُونَ لَهُم بِشَيْءٍ﴾

“Indeed, the true call is for Allah alone, and those whom they call upon do not respond to them.”
Thus, it was established beyond doubt that the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) waged jihad against them so that supplication, invocation, vows, sacrifices, seeking help and assistance, and all other forms of worship would be exclusively for Allah Almighty.
And when you also came to know that their mere acknowledgment of the Oneness of Lordship did not bring them into Islam, and indeed seeking intercession and closeness to Allah through angels, prophets, and saints was the sin that made their lives and wealth lawful (as spoils) for the Muslims, then you came to know the Oneness to which the Messengers (peace be upon them) invited and which the polytheists denied.
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Third Chapter:

Meaning of ﴿ لا اله الا الله ﴾:

It is the Oneness of Worship (or Oneness of Divinity) that is the intended and desired meaning of ﴿لا اله الا الله ﴾. In the eyes of the polytheists of Mecca, without any doubt, “Ilah” was that to whom these acts (prayer, vow, sacrifice, seeking help) were directed, whether it was an angel, a prophet, a saint, a tree, a grave, or a jinn or spirit. The polytheists did not accept that “Ilah” is the One who creates, provides sustenance, and manages affairs. They understood that these attributes belong only to Allah Almighty, as was presented in the previous lines. In fact, their meaning of “Ilah” was the same as the “Pir and Murshid” (spiritual guide) of the polytheists of our time. The Prophet ﷺ came to invite them to the word of Tawheed:

﴿لا إله إلا الله ﴾

“There is no deity worthy of worship except Allah.”
The original intended and desired meaning of this word was to invite to, not just its phrase or words. The ignorant disbelievers knew that the Prophet’s ﷺ purpose with this word was only to establish a connection with Allah alone, to deny all false deities, and to be free from their worship. Therefore, when the Prophet ﷺ told them to say:

﴿ لا إله إلا الله ﴾

“There is no deity worthy of worship except Allah,”
they replied:

﴿أَجَعَلَ الْآلِهَةَ إِلَٰهًا وَاحِدًا ۖ إِنَّ هَٰذَا لَشَيْءٌ عُجَابٌ﴾

“Has He appointed a deity instead of all the idols? This is indeed a strange thing.”
When it became clear that these ignorant disbelievers knew all these matters correctly, how astonishing it is for a person who claims Islam but does not know the meaning and significance of this word, which even the ignorant disbelievers knew. Such a person considers merely repeating the words of this phrase without heartfelt belief and action to be everything. Meanwhile, every sensible person among those disbelievers understood its meaning that besides Allah there is no one who creates, provides sustenance, or manages affairs. There is no sign of goodness or well-being in such a person who does not understand the meaning of ﴿لا اله ، الا الله ﴾ better than the illiterate disbelievers.

Fourth Chapter:

Joy in the Blessing of Monotheism and Fear of Its Loss

When you have attained heartfelt recognition of what I have mentioned, and have realized the shirk with Allah about which Allah Almighty said:

﴿إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَا يَغْفِرُ أَن يُشْرَكَ بِهِ وَيَغْفِرُ مَا دُونَ ذَٰلِكَ لِمَن يَشَاءُ﴾

“Indeed, Allah does not forgive associating others with Him, but He forgives anything else of whoever He wills.”
And you have recognized Allah’s religion which has been the religion of all the messengers from beginning to end, and which Allah will not accept except. And when you have seen the miserable condition of most people due to ignorance of this religion, then you will gain two benefits from this.
First Benefit: The first benefit will be that you will attain joy in Allah’s grace and mercy (by adopting the belief in monotheism). As Allah the Exalted says:

﴿قُلْ بِفَضْلِ اللَّهِ وَبِرَحْمَتِهِ فَبِذَٰلِكَ فَلْيَفْرَحُوا هُوَ خَيْرٌ مِّمَّا يَجْمَعُونَ﴾

“Say, ‘In the bounty of Allah and in His mercy – in that let them rejoice; it is better than what they accumulate.'”

Second Benefit: Its second benefit will be that a great fear of committing disbelief and polytheism will settle in the heart. Undoubtedly, when you come to know that a person becomes a disbeliever by something that comes out of his tongue, even if he says it unknowingly, his excuse of ignorance will be rejected. While saying such things, he is under the illusion that this will make him close to Allah, just as the disbelievers used to do. Especially if Allah impresses upon your mind the incident related about the people of Moses, peace be upon him, despite their knowledge, capability, and righteousness, that they came to Moses, peace be upon him, saying:

﴿اجْعَل لَّنَا إِلَٰهًا كَمَا لَهُمْ آلِهَةٌ﴾

“Assign for us, like these polytheists, a tangible god.”
This incident will greatly increase in you the fear of committing disbelief and polytheism that leads to such an end, and the zeal to protect the monotheism that saves from this end.
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Fifth Chapter:

Divine Wisdom:

Keep in mind here that undoubtedly it is also Divine Wisdom that no prophet who called to the Oneness of God in worship was sent without having many enemies, as the Divine command states:

﴿وَكَذَٰلِكَ جَعَلْنَا لِكُلِّ نَبِيٍّ عَدُوًّا شَيَاطِينَ الْإِنسِ وَالْجِنِّ يُوحِي بَعْضُهُمْ إِلَىٰ بَعْضٍ زُخْرُفَ الْقَوْلِ غُرُورًا ﴾

“And thus We made for every prophet an enemy – devils from mankind and jinn, inspiring to one another decorative speech in delusion.”
And the enemies of monotheism may have much knowledge, books, and arguments and proofs as well. As the Lord’s command is:

﴿فَلَمَّا جَاءَتْهُمْ رُسُلُهُم بِالْبَيِّنَاتِ فَرِحُوا بِمَا عِندَهُم مِّنَ الْعِلْمِ﴾

“So when their messengers came to them with clear proofs, they were arrogant in the knowledge they had.”
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Sixth Chapter:

The Obligation to Teach the Book and the Sunnah:

When you have come to know and even be certain that to follow the religion of Allah (the Straight Path), confrontation with the eloquent and knowledgeable enemies of the religion is inevitable and unavoidable, then it is your duty to arm yourself with religious teachings so that you can face those devils whose leader and chief, the accursed Iblis, said to the Lord of Glory:

﴿أَقْعُدَنَّ لَهُمْ صِرَاطَكَ الْمُسْتَقِيمَ ‎١٦‏ ثُمَّ لَآتِيَنَّهُم مِّن بَيْنِ أَيْدِيهِمْ وَمِنْ خَلْفِهِمْ وَعَنْ أَيْمَانِهِمْ وَعَن شَمَائِلِهِمْ ۖ وَلَا تَجِدُ أَكْثَرَهُمْ شَاكِرِينَ﴾

“I will sit on Your straight path (to mislead them), then I will come to them from before them, from behind them, from their right, and from their left. And You will not find most of them grateful.”
But when you turn to Allah, focusing on His arguments and proofs, then do not fear or worry. Because before the Quran and Hadith, according to divine instruction:

﴿إِنَّ كَيْدَ الشَّيْطَانِ كَانَ ضَعِيفًا﴾

“The devil’s forty arguments are very weak and baseless.”
If even one person from the people of monotheism overcomes thousands of knowledgeable polytheists, as Allah Almighty has said:

﴿وَإِنَّ جُندَنَا لَهُمُ الْغَالِبُونَ﴾

“Indeed, Our (sincere servants’) army is the one that will overcome them.”
Undoubtedly, just as Allah’s servants surpass them with argument and speech, they also overcome them with sword and spear. The danger is only for that monotheist who walks the path of monotheism but is unarmed and empty-handed in knowledge. Allah Almighty has done us a great favor by revealing His Book to us, about which Allah Himself has said:

﴿تِبْيَانًا لِّكُلِّ شَيْءٍ وَهُدًى وَرَحْمَةً وَبُشْرَىٰ لِلْمُسْلِمِينَ ﴾

“In it is every clear explanation, and it is a guidance and mercy and glad tidings for the Muslims.”
No matter what argument or proof the people of falsehood present, the Quran contains refutations and invalidations of it. Thus, the divine command is:

﴿وَلَا يَأْتُونَكَ بِمَثَلٍ إِلَّا جِئْنَاكَ بِالْحَقِّ وَأَحْسَنَ تَفْسِيرًا﴾

“If they bring any statement, We bring you the truth and a better explanation.”
Seventh Chapter:

Refutation of Falsehood:

Now we present before you those verses of the Divine Book which are the answers to the arguments that the present-day polytheists have taken as proof and evidence for themselves. We say that the response to the people of falsehood is of two types: ◈ Concise ◈ Detailed
◈ Concise answer:
For any person of intellect and wisdom, the very exalted and extremely beneficial statement of Allah Almighty is:

﴿هُوَ الَّذِي أَنزَلَ عَلَيْكَ الْكِتَابَ مِنْهُ آيَاتٌ مُّحْكَمَاتٌ هُنَّ أُمُّ الْكِتَابِ وَأُخَرُ مُتَشَابِهَاتٌ ۖ فَأَمَّا الَّذِينَ فِي قُلُوبِهِمْ زَيْغٌ فَيَتَّبِعُونَ مَا تَشَابَهَ مِنْهُ ابْتِغَاءَ الْفِتْنَةِ وَابْتِغَاءَ تَأْوِيلِهِ ۗ وَمَا يَعْلَمُ تَأْوِيلَهُ إِلَّا اللَّهُ﴾

“He it is Who has sent down to you (O Muhammad) the Book; in it are verses that are precise—they are the foundation of the Book—and others are ambiguous. As for those in whose hearts is deviation, they follow that which is ambiguous, seeking discord and seeking its interpretation, but no one knows its true interpretation except Allah.”
And the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said in an authentic hadith:

إذا رأيتم الذين يتبعون ما تشابه منه فأولئك الذين سمى الله فاحذروهم

“When you see those who follow the ambiguous verses, keep away from them, for Allah has mentioned them.”
Its example is such that when a polytheist says to you that Allah has said:

﴿ألا إِنَّ أَوْلِيَاءَ اللهِ لا خَوْفٌ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا هُمْ يَحْزَنُونَ ﴾

“Say: No harm will befall those who are friends of Allah, nor will they grieve.”

﴿ إن الشفاعة حق وإن الانبياء لهم جاء عند الله ﴾

“Indeed intercession is a right, and indeed the Prophets have a special status with Allah.”
Or if he presents any hadith of the Noble Prophet (peace be upon him) to justify his false beliefs and you do not understand the meaning of what he mentions, then respond by saying that Allah Almighty has mentioned in His Book the Quran those who are misguided and crooked in understanding, who abandon the clear verses and follow the ambiguous ones. And tell him that the statement of Allah which I have mentioned also shows that the polytheists of Mecca believed in the oneness of Lordship, but their disbelief was due to incorrect and unjustified association with angels, prophets, and saints. Also tell him that they used to say:

هؤلاء شفعاء ما عند الله

“These are our intercessors with Allah.”
This is an absolute and clear statement whose meaning no one dares to change.
And say to this polytheist: whatever you have mentioned from the Quran and the hadith of the Messenger (peace be upon him), I do not understand its meaning, but it is an absolute fact that there is no contradiction or inconsistency in the Word of Allah. Nor is the hadith of the Messenger of Allah contrary to the Word of Allah. This is a very excellent, correct, and conclusive answer; do not consider it trivial. But only he can understand it who has divine guidance and the support of Allah, as Allah Almighty says:

﴿وَمَا يُلَقَّاهَا إِلَّا الَّذِينَ صَبَرُوا وَمَا يُلَقَّاهَا إِلَّا ذُو حَظٍّ عَظِيمٍ﴾

“This is not taught except to those who are patient, and none is taught except the possessor of great good fortune.”

◈ Detailed answer: The enemies of Allah have many objections and doubts regarding the religion of the Prophets and Messengers, peace be upon them, through which they mislead people and prevent them from it.

Doubt Number: 1

They say:
“We do not associate partners with Allah, rather we testify that besides Allah, the One and Only without any partner, no one creates, no one provides sustenance, no one can grant benefit, nor can anyone cause harm. Even Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, does not have the power to benefit or harm himself, let alone Pir Abdul Qadir Jilani, may Allah have mercy on him, or anyone else. However, I am a sinner. While the saints and righteous have a high status with Allah. Therefore, I ask from Allah through them as intermediaries.”

Answer:
You should respond to them with the above-mentioned answer that the polytheists against whom the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, fought were also affirming what you have mentioned. They also believed that their idols could do nothing; they only desired their prestigious intercession. And regarding this, read the verses of the Book of Allah and clarify the matter.

Doubt Number 2:

“If he says that these verses were revealed about those people who used to worship idols. How can you make the friends of Allah and the elders idols, or how can you call the prophets idols?”

Answer:
Give him the previous answer and when he admits that the disbelievers also believed in the Lordship of Allah Almighty and that the idols they turned to were only for intercession. If he wants to ask about the difference between his own actions and those of the disbelievers, tell him that some disbelievers used to call upon idols. And among them were some who used to call upon the pious friends of Allah about whom the Divine Command is:

﴿أُولَٰئِكَ الَّذِينَ يَدْعُونَ يَبْتَغُونَ إِلَىٰ رَبِّهِمُ الْوَسِيلَةَ أَيُّهُمْ أَقْرَبُ﴾

“Those whom they call upon and seek a means to their Lord, how many of them are near?”

They used to call upon Prophet Jesus (peace be upon him) and his mother. Allah Almighty has said:

﴿مَّا الْمَسِيحُ ابْنُ مَرْيَمَ إِلَّا رَسُولٌ قَدْ خَلَتْ مِن قَبْلِهِ الرُّسُلُ وَأُمُّهُ صِدِّيقَةٌ ۖ كَانَا يَأْكُلَانِ الطَّعَامَ ۗ انظُرْ كَيْفَ نُبَيِّنُ لَهُمُ الْآيَاتِ ثُمَّ انظُرْ أَنَّىٰ يُؤْفَكُونَ ‎٧٥‏ قُلْ أَتَعْبُدُونَ مِن دُونِ اللَّهِ مَا لَا يَمْلِكُ لَكُمْ ضَرًّا وَلَا نَفْعًا ۚ وَاللَّهُ هُوَ السَّمِيعُ الْعَلِيمُ﴾

“No, the Messiah, son of Mary, was but a messenger; messengers before him had passed away. And his mother was a truthful (saint). They both used to eat food. See how We make clear the signs for them; then see how they are deluded away. Say, ‘Do you worship besides Allah that which neither benefits you nor harms you? And Allah is the Hearing, the Knowing.'”

And also recite to him this command of Allah:

﴿وَيَوْمَ يَحْشُرُهُمْ جَمِيعًا ثُمَّ يَقُولُ لِلْمَلَائِكَةِ أَهَٰؤُلَاءِ إِيَّاكُمْ كَانُوا يَعْبُدُونَ ‎٤٠‏ قَالُوا سُبْحَانَكَ أَنتَ وَلِيُّنَا مِن دُونِهِم ۖ بَلْ كَانُوا يَعْبُدُونَ الْجِنَّ ۖ أَكْثَرُهُم بِهِم مُّؤْمِنُونَ ﴾

“And the Day He will gather them together [and say], ‘O company of jinn, you have [misled] many of mankind.’ And their allies among mankind will say, ‘Our Lord, we benefited from each other, and we have reached our term which You appointed for us.’ He will say, ‘The Fire is your residence, wherein you will abide eternally, except for what Allah wills. Indeed, your Lord is Wise and Knowing.'”

And the command of Allah Almighty is:

﴿وَإِذْ قَالَ اللَّهُ يَا عِيسَى ابْنَ مَرْيَمَ أَأَنتَ قُلْتَ لِلنَّاسِ اتَّخِذُونِي وَأُمِّيَ إِلَٰهَيْنِ مِن دُونِ اللَّهِ ۖ قَالَ سُبْحَانَكَ مَا يَكُونُ لِي أَنْ أَقُولَ مَا لَيْسَ لِي بِحَقٍّ ۚ إِن كُنتُ قُلْتُهُ فَقَدْ عَلِمْتَهُ ۚ تَعْلَمُ مَا فِي نَفْسِي وَلَا أَعْلَمُ مَا فِي نَفْسِكَ ۚ إِنَّكَ أَنتَ عَلَّامُ الْغُيُوبِ﴾

“And [beware the Day] when Allah will say, ‘O Jesus, Son of Mary, did you say to the people, “Take me and my mother as deities besides Allah?”‘ He will say, ‘Exalted are You! It was not for me to say that to which I have no right. If I had said it, You would have known it. You know what is within myself, and I do not know what is within Yourself. Indeed, it is You who is Knower of the unseen.'”

After mentioning these verses, tell him: You have come to know that whoever turned to idols committed disbelief, whoever sought help from the righteous and elders also committed disbelief, and the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) fought jihad against them.

Doubt Number 3:

If he says that the disbelievers used to worship those idols, while I bear witness that indeed the One who grants benefit and causes harm is only Allah. And I ask from Him alone. The righteous people have no power. I only intend them for their hope of intercession with Allah.

Answer:
This is exactly the saying of the disbelievers; tell him this divine command:

﴿وَالَّذِينَ اتَّخَذُوا مِن دُونِهِ أَوْلِيَاءَ مَا نَعْبُدُهُمْ إِلَّا لِيُقَرِّبُونَا إِلَى اللَّهِ زُلْفَىٰ﴾

“Those who took guardians besides Allah say, ‘We only worship them so that they may bring us nearer to Allah.’”
And the divine statement is:

﴿وَيَقُولُونَ هَٰؤُلَاءِ شُفَعَاؤُنَا عِندَ اللَّهِ﴾

“And they say, ‘These (idols, saints, spiritual leaders) are our intercessors with Allah.’”
Remember that among their doubts, suspicions, and objections, these three claims are the most important and fundamental. And when you realize that Allah Almighty has explained them in His Book, and you have understood it correctly, then these are the easiest confusions to resolve.
——————

Eighth Chapter:

Supplication and Calling Out as Worship:

Doubt Number: 4

If he says that I worship none except Allah, and seeking refuge in righteous people and calling them in distress and hardship for relief is not worship.

Answer:
Tell him, do you acknowledge that Allah has made it obligatory upon you to worship Him alone sincerely? And that this is His right upon you? When he says yes, then ask him to explain this obligation which is the right of Allah upon the servant in the form of sincere worship of Allah alone without any partner. If he knows about worship and its types and forms, then explain to him as Allah Almighty says:

﴿ادْعُوا رَبَّكُمْ تَضَرُّعًا وَخُفْيَةً﴾

“Call upon your Lord humbly and privately.”

Now ask him, do you understand that supplication and calling upon is worship of Allah? He will necessarily say yes, because supplication is pure worship, indeed the essence of worship. Then tell him, since you have acknowledged that calling upon is worship and you have called upon Allah day and night in fear and hope, and then at the time of need you also called upon a prophet or someone other than a prophet, have you associated anyone with Allah in His worship? He has no choice but to say yes, so tell him: when you obeyed the command of Allah mentioned in the Divine Revelation which is:

﴿فَصَلِّ لِرَبِّكَ وَانْحَرْ﴾

“Pray to Allah and sacrifice to His name alone.”

And you obeyed Allah and sacrificed in His name, is this worship? Surely he will say yes. Then ask him: if you sacrifice in the name of any creation, prophet, jinn, or anyone else besides Allah, have you associated others with Allah in His worship? Surely he will admit. Also ask him about those polytheists about whom the verses of the Holy Quran were revealed, did they worship angels, righteous people, or idols like Lat? He will definitely answer affirmatively. Then clarify well that their worship was nothing but supplication, sacrifice, and entreaty.

Indeed, they believed that we are servants of Allah alone, under His control and power, and Allah alone is the disposer of affairs. But they called upon others besides Allah for intercession and begged them for relief due to their status and rank. This act is manifestly clear and absolutely obvious polytheism.
——————

New Chapter:

Shariah and Shirk Intercession:

Doubt Number: 5

If he says: Do you deny the intercession of the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, and absolve yourself from it?
Answer:
Tell him that I neither deny the intercession of the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, nor do I absolve myself from it. Rather, he, peace be upon him, is the one who intercedes and whose intercession is accepted, and I am hopeful of his intercession. But all intercession is in the hands of Allah. As the Divine command is:

﴿قُل لِّلَّهِ الشَّفَاعَةُ جَمِيعًا﴾

“All intercession belongs to Allah.”
And no one is permitted to intercede without Allah’s permission, as the Almighty says:

﴿مَن ذَا الَّذِي يَشْفَعُ عِندَهُ إِلَّا بِإِذْنِهِ﴾

“Who is it that can intercede with Him except by His permission?”
And until Allah grants permission to intercede for someone, intercession cannot be made. As the Lord of Glory says:

﴿وَلَا يَشْفَعُونَ إِلَّا لِمَنِ ارْتَضَىٰ﴾

“And they will not intercede except for him with whom He is pleased.”
And Allah will not be pleased with anyone except those of the monotheistic belief, as the Divine command is:

﴿وَمَن يَبْتَغِ غَيْرَ الْإِسْلَامِ دِينًا فَلَن يُقْبَلَ مِنْهُ﴾

“And whoever desires other than Islam as religion—never will it be accepted from him.”
When all intercession is only in the control of Allah, it is neither possible nor will the Prophet, peace be upon him, or anyone else intercede for anyone without His permission. Until they receive the indication of Allah’s pleasure. And Allah’s pleasure will not be attained by anyone except those of monotheism. Thus, when the matter is clearly established that all intercession is in the hands of Allah, then ask from Him accordingly:

اللهم لا تحرمني شفاعته

“O Allah! Do not deprive me of the intercession of the Prophet, peace be upon him.”

اللهم شفعه فى

“O Allah! Make the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, the possessor of my intercession and my intercessor.”
And make such other supplications as well.

Doubt Number: 6

If a polytheist says that the Prophet ﷺ has been given intercession, and I seek from that which Allah has granted to the Prophet ﷺ.

Answer:
Tell him that Allah, the Lord of Glory, has granted intercession to the Prophet ﷺ, but you are forbidden from initiating seeking intercession from the Prophet ﷺ. As the Divine command states:

﴿فَلَا تَدْعُوا مَعَ اللَّهِ أَحَدًا﴾

“Do not call upon anyone besides Allah.”
When you pray to Allah to make the Prophet ﷺ your intercessor, then also obey His command:

﴿فَلَا تَدْعُوا مَعَ اللَّهِ أَحَدًا﴾

“Do not call upon anyone besides Allah.”
Intercession has been given to others besides the Prophet ﷺ as well. It is established by authentic hadiths that angels will intercede, the friends of Allah will intercede, and innocent children who die before reaching the age of understanding will also intercede. And do you say that Allah has granted them intercession and I seek from them?
If you say this, then you are involved in associating partners in the worship of the righteous people, which is mentioned in the Divine Book. And if your answer is negative, then your statement:

اعطاه الله الشفاعة وانا اطلبه مما أعطاه الله

“That Allah has given them the right of intercession, and I seek from this granted right.”
is false.
——————

Chapter Ten:

Calling the Elders:

Doubt Number: 7

If he says: “I do not associate anyone with Allah at all. But calling upon righteous elders and seeking help from them to fulfill needs is not shirk.”

Answer:
Tell him: You admit that Allah Almighty has declared shirk more forbidden and sinful than adultery. And Allah will never forgive this shirk. What is the act that Allah has forbidden and will definitely not forgive?
This is something the polytheist does not know, so ask him: How do you consider yourself free from shirk while you do not even know what shirk is? How did Allah forbid it upon you and say He will not forgive it? You neither ask about it nor know it. Do you think that Allah forbade shirk but did not explain what shirk is?
If he says that shirk means worshipping idols, while we do not worship idols. The polytheists of Mecca believed that wood and stones create and provide sustenance, and those who call upon them have their affairs managed by them. The Holy Quran declares this belief false.
If he says that they intended wood, stones, or shrines, called upon them, sacrificed for them, and said that they make us close to Allah, solve our problems through their blessings, and grant us blessings through them. Tell him: You are right; and you also do the same regarding stones, graves, and shrines. If he admits that these acts are included in idol worship, then this admission is what we seek. Tell him: According to you, worshipping idols is called shirk. Do you mean that shirk is limited to this, and seeking help from righteous people and calling upon them is not shirk?
This is refuted by the aforementioned verses of the Holy Quran, which relate to the disbelief of those who call upon angels, Jesus (peace be upon him), and other righteous elders. Surely, he will admit that if someone associates any of the righteous servants with Allah in worship, then this is the shirk mentioned in the Quran. This admission is what we primarily seek.
The secret of this issue is that when he says he does not associate partners with Allah, ask him: What is associating partners with Allah? Explain. If he says shirk is worshipping idols, ask: What does worshipping idols mean? Explain in detail. If he says he worships none but Allah, ask him the meaning and explanation of worshipping Allah. If he says it as the Quran has explained, then that is the intended meaning. But if he does not know the meaning of worshipping Allah, how can he claim about something he does not know?
If he gives any other meaning contrary to the verses clarifying the meaning of shirk and idol worship, then the polytheists of the present time do exactly the same. Undoubtedly, worshipping only one Allah is the issue for which the polytheists accuse us of various things. And on this issue, they burn with rage just as their predecessors used to shout:

﴿أَجَعَلَ الْآلِهَةَ إِلَٰهًا وَاحِدًا ۖ إِنَّ هَٰذَا لَشَيْءٌ عُجَابٌ ﴾

“Has he appointed a god besides all the idols? This is indeed a strange thing.”

Doubt Number: 8

If he says that they were not called disbelievers for calling upon angels and prophets, but rather the reason for their being declared disbelievers was their statement:

الملائكة بنات الله

“The angels are daughters of Allah.”
And we do not say that Pir Abdul Qadir Jilani, may Allah have mercy on him, or any other saint is the son of Allah.
Answer:
Tell him that attributing a son to Allah is absolute disbelief. As the Divine command is:

﴿قُلْ هُوَ اللَّهُ أَحَدٌ ‎١‏ اللَّهُ الصَّمَدُ﴾

“Say: He is Allah, the One.”
“Ahad” is the One who has no equal or likeness, and “Samad” is the One to whom needs and necessities are directed. Whoever denies this becomes a disbeliever, even if he does not deny the entire Surah. Because the Divine statement is:

﴿مَا اتَّخَذَ اللَّهُ مِن وَلَدٍ وَمَا كَانَ مَعَهُ مِنْ إِلَٰهٍ﴾

“Allah has neither a son nor is there any deity with Him.”
Allah Almighty has distinguished between both types and has declared each of them absolute disbelief. And the Divine command is:

﴿وَجَعَلُوا لِلَّهِ شُرَكَاءَ الْجِنَّ وَخَلَقَهُمْ ۖ وَخَرَقُوا لَهُ بَنِينَ وَبَنَاتٍ بِغَيْرِ عِلْمٍ﴾

“They have taken jinn as partners with Allah, while He created them, and they falsely attribute to Him sons and daughters without knowledge.”
Here Allah Almighty has separated both types of disbelief. The evidence for this is also that those who were disbelievers for calling upon “Lat” despite being good people did not call her the daughter of Allah. And those who were declared disbelievers for worshipping jinn also did not do so.
Similarly, all scholars of the four schools of thought (Hanafi, Shafi’i, Maliki, Hanbali) mention in the chapter on “The ruling on an apostate” that if a Muslim accepts that Allah has a son, he becomes an apostate. And they also distinguish between the two types. This is a very clear matter.

Doubt Number: 9

If he says that Allah has stated:

﴿أَلَا إِنَّ أَوْلِيَاءَ اللَّهِ لَا خَوْفٌ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا هُمْ يَحْزَنُونَ﴾

“That is, the friends of Allah have no fear or anxiety.”
Answer:
Explain to him that this is indeed true, but they are not worshipped. We do not deny anything except worshipping them alongside Allah and considering them partners with Allah. Rather, their love, obedience within the limits of Shariah, and acknowledgment of their true miracles are obligatory. Denial of the miracles of the friends of Allah is done only by the innovators and misguided people. Allah’s religion is between two extremes (i.e., exaggeration in the love of the friends and worshipping them, and cruelty towards the friends and complete denial of their miracles). Guidance lies between these two misguidances, and truth lies between these two falsehoods.

——————

Eleventh Chapter:

Difference between the polytheists of Makkah and the present-day polytheists:

It has become clear to you that the current polytheists, whom they describe as “devotion,” are actually the very shirk about which the verses of the Quran were revealed, and it was against the people of this belief that the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) waged jihad.
Also keep in mind that the shirk of the people of Mecca was lighter than the shirk of the present time in two ways.

Firstly: Previously, the polytheists used to associate partners with Allah and call upon angels, saints, and idols only during times of prosperity and leisure. But in times of poverty, hardship, and distress, they would call only upon Allah. As the Divine command states:

﴿إِذَا مَسَّكُمُ الضُّرُّ فِي الْبَحْرِ ضَلَّ مَن تَدْعُونَ إِلَّا إِيَّاهُ ۖ فَلَمَّا نَجَّاكُمْ إِلَى الْبَرِّ أَعْرَضْتُمْ ۚ وَكَانَ الْإِنسَانُ كَفُورًا﴾

“And when adversity touches you at sea, those whom you call upon besides Allah vanish from you; and only Allah remains. But when He brings you safely to the land, you turn away, and man is ever ungrateful.”
Similarly, the Divine command is:

﴿قُلْ أَرَأَيْتَكُمْ إِنْ أَتَاكُمْ عَذَابُ اللَّهِ أَوْ أَتَتْكُمُ السَّاعَةُ أَغَيْرَ اللَّهِ تَدْعُونَ إِن كُنتُمْ صَادِقِينَ ‎٤٠‏ بَلْ إِيَّاهُ تَدْعُونَ فَيَكْشِفُ مَا تَدْعُونَ إِلَيْهِ إِن شَاءَ وَتَنسَوْنَ مَا تُشْرِكُونَ ﴾

“Say: ‘Tell me, if Allah’s punishment should come upon you or the Hour should come upon you, will you call upon anyone other than Allah, if you should be truthful?’ Rather, you will call upon Him, and He will remove that for which you called upon Him, if He wills, and you will forget whatever you associated with Him.”
Likewise, the Lord’s command is:

﴿إِذَا مَسَّ الْإِنسَانَ ضُرٌّ دَعَا رَبَّهُ مُنِيبًا إِلَيْهِ ثُمَّ إِذَا خَوَّلَهُ نِعْمَةً مِّنْهُ نَسِيَ مَا كَانَ يَدْعُو إِلَيْهِ مِن قَبْلُ وَجَعَلَ لِلَّهِ أَندَادًا لِّيُضِلَّ عَن سَبِيلِهِ ۚ قُلْ تَمَتَّعْ بِكُفْرِكَ قَلِيلًا ۖ إِنَّكَ مِنْ أَصْحَابِ النَّارِ﴾

“When a person is afflicted by distress, he calls upon his Lord, turning to Him. But when He removes the distress by His grace, the person forgets the one he used to call upon before and sets up partners with Allah to mislead from His way. Say: ‘Enjoy your disbelief for a little; indeed, you are of the companions of the Fire.'”
A similar command is:

﴿وَإِذَا غَشِيَهُم مَّوْجٌ كَالظُّلَلِ دَعَوُا اللَّهَ مُخْلِصِينَ لَهُ الدِّينَ﴾

“When the waves cover them like shades, they call upon Allah, sincere to Him alone, saying: ‘Indeed, we are for You only in religion.'”
Whoever understands this issue explained by Allah in the Qur’an well—that the polytheists, against whom the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) waged jihad, used to call upon Allah and others during times of prosperity, but in times of calamity and hardship, they called only upon Allah, the One without partner, and forgot their false gods—will clearly see the difference between the polytheism of our present-day polytheists and that of the polytheists of Makkah as clear as daylight. But where is the one whose heart this issue will imprint upon? And Allah is the One whose help is sought.

Secondly: In earlier times, polytheists used to call upon those close to Allah, such as prophets, saints, and angels, or they would call upon trees and stones that are obedient and submissive to Allah, not rebellious and sinful. However, the polytheists of the present time call upon people who are far more immersed in evil than the general public. And those who call upon them themselves narrate stories of their adultery, theft, and neglect of prayer, etc. In these circumstances, a polytheist who believes in a righteous and pious person or in a piece of wood or stone that does not sin is far better and less guilty than one who believes in such people whose misdeeds, immorality, and corruption he himself is an eyewitness and witness to.

——————

Twelfth Chapter:

Two-day Prayer and Polytheist and Disbeliever

It has now become clear to you that the people with whom the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, fought jihad were superior in intellect and lesser in polytheism compared to the current polytheists. It is also remembered that these people had one objection and doubt regarding our previous statement, which is more significant than all their other doubts and suspicions. Let us listen to it attentively:

Doubt Number: 10

The polytheists and disbelievers about whom the Quran was revealed did not bear witness to the Oneness of Allah ﴿لا اله الله﴾, they denied the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, they denied being resurrected after death, i.e., life after death, they rejected the Quran and called it magic. Whereas we bear witness that there is no deity except Allah, that Muhammad, peace be upon him, is His Messenger, we confirm that the Quran is the true divine word, we believe in the Hereafter, we perform prayers and fast. Then how do they equate us with those polytheists?

Answer:
All scholars of the Ummah agree that if someone affirms some matters of the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, and denies others, then he is a disbeliever and outside the fold of Islam. Similarly, if someone believes in some parts of the Quran and denies others, for example, if someone affirms Tawhid (Oneness of Allah) but denies the obligation of prayer, or affirms Tawhid and prayer but denies Zakat, or affirms all but denies the obligation of fasting, or affirms all but denies the obligation of Hajj. When some people in the time of the Prophet, peace be upon him, were ready to perform Hajj, Allah revealed these verses about them:

﴿وَلِلَّهِ عَلَى النَّاسِ حِجُّ الْبَيْتِ مَنِ اسْتَطَاعَ إِلَيْهِ سَبِيلًا ۚ وَمَن كَفَرَ فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ غَنِيٌّ عَنِ الْعَالَمِينَ﴾

“Hajj to the House (Kaaba) is a duty that mankind owes to Allah, those who can afford the expenses; and whoever disbelieves – then indeed, Allah is free from need of the worlds.”

And whoever affirms all these obligations but denies the life after death, the scholars of the Ummah agree on his disbelief and that his life and property become lawful for Muslims as spoils.

As Allah Almighty says:

﴿ إِنَّ الَّذِينَ يَكْفُرُونَ بِاللَّهِ وَرُسُلِهِ وَيُرِيدُونَ أَن يُفَرِّقُوا بَيْنَ اللَّهِ وَرُسُلِهِ وَيَقُولُونَ نُؤْمِنُ بِبَعْضٍ وَنَكْفُرُ بِبَعْضٍ وَيُرِيدُونَ أَن يَتَّخِذُوا بَيْنَ ذَٰلِكَ سَبِيلًا ‎١٥٠‏ أُولَٰئِكَ هُمُ الْكَافِرُونَ حَقًّا ۚ وَأَعْتَدْنَا لِلْكَافِرِينَ عَذَابًا مُّهِينًا﴾

“Indeed, those who disbelieve in Allah and His messengers and wish to discriminate between Allah and His messengers and say, ‘We believe in some and disbelieve in others,’ and wish to adopt a way in between – Those are the true disbelievers, and We have prepared for the disbelievers a humiliating punishment.”

When Allah Almighty has explicitly stated in His Book, the Quran, that whoever believes in some matters and denies others is a true disbeliever and deserving of the mentioned punishment, then the objection and doubt of those polytheists is removed. This is the very doubt raised by a man from Al-Ahsa (4) in his book which he sent to us.

(4) A region in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia, whose largest city is Al-Hofuf, with a historical background.

◈ It should be said to him that you yourself admit that whoever affirms all the sayings of the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, but denies the obligation of prayer, there is consensus on his disbelief and that his life and property are lawful. Similarly, the person who affirms all matters but denies the Hereafter, or the person who denies the obligation of fasting in Ramadan but affirms all other matters, there is no difference of opinion in any religion about him. And the Quran itself is explicit about this, as we mentioned above.

It is an established and eternal fact that Tawhid is the great obligation with which the Prophet, peace be upon him, came, and this obligation is greater than prayer, fasting, Zakat, and Hajj. So how is it possible that one who denies any one of these becomes a disbeliever, even if he follows all other matters of the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him? And when someone denies the religion of all the Prophets and Messengers, which is Tawhid, he is not a disbeliever? Glory be to Allah! What an astonishing and bewildering ignorance this is.

◈ It should also be said that the Companions of the Messenger of Allah, may Allah be pleased with them, fought against Banu Hanifa even though they had accepted Islam with the Prophet, peace be upon him. They bore witness that there is no deity except Allah and that Muhammad, peace be upon him, is His Messenger. They called the Adhan and performed prayers.

If he says that Banu Hanifa considered Musaylimah the liar as a Prophet, then say that this is exactly what we want. When someone gives anyone the status and rank of the Prophet, peace be upon him, he becomes a disbeliever, his blood and property become lawful, and his affirmation of Tawhid, Risalah, and prayer will not benefit him. What will be the end of the person who elevated Shamsan (the sun and moon), Yusuf, any Companion, or any Prophet to the rank of the tyrant of earth and sky?

﴿كَذَٰلِكَ يَطْبَعُ اللَّهُ عَلَىٰ قُلُوبِ الَّذِينَ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ﴾

“Thus Allah seals the hearts of those who do not know.”

◈ It should be said that those whom Hazrat Ali, may Allah be pleased with him, burned in fire, all claimed Islam, were among the companions and associates of Hazrat Ali, may Allah be pleased with him, and had learned knowledge from the noble Companions, may Allah be pleased with them all. But they fell into disbelief like that of Yusuf and Shams and Qamar regarding Hazrat Ali, may Allah be pleased with him. How did the noble Companions, may Allah be pleased with them all, come to agree on declaring them disbelievers and fighting against them? Are you under the false assumption and delusion that the noble Companions, may Allah be pleased with them all, used to declare Muslims as disbelievers? Or do you think that reverence for crowns, etc., is harmless but reverence for Hazrat Ali, may Allah be pleased with him, son of Abu Talib, is disbelief?

◈ It should also be said that Banu Ubaid al-Qaddah, who were rulers of Maghreb and Egypt during the Abbasid Caliphate, all bore witness that there is no deity except Allah and that Muhammad, peace be upon him, is the Messenger of Allah. They claimed Islam and performed Friday and five daily prayers. But when they showed opposition in religious matters, which was much weaker and lesser than our current un-Islamic acts, the scholars of the time agreed on their disbelief, jihad against them, and declaring their land as “land of war,” and Muslims fought them and freed Islamic countries from their grip.

◈ Ask him: If the earlier people were not declared disbelievers due to polytheism, denial of the Messenger of Allah, denial of the Quran, and denial of resurrection (being raised again from graves after death), then what is the meaning of “The Chapter of the Ruling on Apostates”? Which all scholars of all sects have explained many matters about, the commission of which makes a Muslim a disbeliever and makes his property and life lawful, even mentioning apparently minor matters. For example, uttering the word of disbelief only with the tongue without the heart’s consent, or saying such a word jokingly and laughingly.

And also ask about those people about whom Allah Almighty says:

﴿يَحْلِفُونَ بِاللَّهِ مَا قَالُوا وَلَقَدْ قَالُوا كَلِمَةَ الْكُفْرِ وَكَفَرُوا بَعْدَ إِسْلَامِهِمْ ﴾

“They swear by Allah that they did not say [anything against the Prophet] while they had said the word of disbelief and disbelieved after their Islam.”

Have you not heard that Allah Almighty declared them disbelievers because of one word, even though they were in the time of the Prophet, participated in jihad with the Messenger of Allah, prayed, gave Zakat, performed Hajj, and believed in the Oneness of Allah?

Similarly, about those people Allah Almighty says:

﴿قُلْ أَبِاللَّهِ وَآيَاتِهِ وَرَسُولِهِ كُنتُمْ تَسْتَهْزِئُونَ ‎٦٥‏ لَا تَعْتَذِرُوا قَدْ كَفَرْتُم بَعْدَ إِيمَانِكُمْ﴾

“Ask them about their mocking and jesting with Allah and His verses and His Messenger. Do not excuse yourselves; you have disbelieved after your belief.”

Regarding these people, the Lord of Glory has explicitly stated that they became disbelievers after being believers, even though they were with the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, in the Battle of Tabuk. They uttered words of disbelief and said that they only said it jokingly.

Doubt Number: 11

Now consider their doubt where they say that you declare as disbelievers those Muslims who bear witness to ﴿لا اله الله﴾, perform prayers, and observe fasting.
Answer: Listen carefully to this answer and understand it well because this is a very important and extremely beneficial part of these pages.
The evidence for becoming a disbeliever by uttering the word of disbelief is also the incident mentioned in the Book of Allah regarding Bani Israel, despite their Islam, knowledge, and righteousness, where Allah Almighty stated that they said to Prophet Musa (peace be upon him):

﴿اجْعَل لَّنَا إِلَٰهًا كَمَا لَهُمْ آلِهَةٌ﴾

“Assign for us a god like their gods.”
And some companions of the Prophet (may Allah be pleased with them all) said to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him):

اجعل لنا ذات انواط

“The polytheists hang their weapons on a tree and seek blessings from it. So appoint for us a tree, ‘the tree of Anwaat,’ to hang our weapons on and seek blessings from it.”
The Prophet of Allah swore and said that your statement is like the saying of Bani Israel ﴿اجعل لنا الها﴾.
——————

Thirteenth Chapter:
Polytheism in Ignorance and Repentance:

Doubt Number: 12

The polytheists, upon hearing this previous story, object and say that the Children of Israel did not become disbelievers, and similarly, the Companions, may Allah be pleased with them, who said ﴿اجعل لنا ذات انواط﴾, did not become disbelievers either.
Answer:
We say that this Children of Israel did not put into practice this sudden desire, and similarly, the Companions, may Allah be pleased with them, who demanded from the Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم the “Zat Anwat,” also did not take practical steps. Otherwise, there is no disagreement that if the Children of Israel had actually done so, they would have become disbelievers. Likewise, it is agreed that the Companions, may Allah be pleased with them, whom the Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم forbade, if they had not obeyed and had chosen the “Zat Anwat” despite the Prophet’s prohibition, they would certainly have become disbelievers. And this is our meaning and purpose.
This story contains many lessons and benefits, for example:
◈ It shows that not only Muslims but also educated scholars can fall into some form of polytheism without realizing it.
◈ This story teaches the necessity of acquiring knowledge and exercising caution regarding the types of polytheism.
◈ It shows that when an ignorant person says (At-Tawheed Fahimnah) “We have understood monotheism,” it is a great ignorance and a satanic deception.
◈ This story indicates that if a Muslim jurist, out of ignorance, says something that entails disbelief and immediately repents upon being warned, he will not be a disbeliever.
◈ And it also implies that although he will not be a disbeliever, he will still be severely admonished, as the Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم admonished Alim.

Doubt Number: 13

Another objection or doubt that the polytheists have is that the Prophet Muhammad forbade Hazrat Usama (may Allah be pleased with him) from killing a person who professes ﴿لا اله الا لله﴾, and he had said to him:

أقتلته بعد ما قال لا إله إلا الله

“Did you kill him despite him saying ﴿لا اله الا لله﴾?”
Similarly, the Prophet’s saying is:

أمرت أن أقاتل الناس حتى يقولوا لا إله إلا الله

“I have been commanded to fight them until they say ﴿لا اله الا الله﴾.”
They can also present other similar hadiths about refraining from harming those who say the declaration of monotheism. These ignorant people believe that one who utters the declaration of faith is not a disbeliever and should not be killed no matter what he does.

Answer:
To these ignorant polytheists it should be said, and it is a confirmed reality, that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) fought the Jews even though they said ﴿لا اله الا لله﴾. The Companions of the Prophet (peace be upon him) fought Banu Hanifa even though they acknowledged ﴿لا اله الله﴾ and ﴿محمد رسول الله﴾, prayed, and claimed Islam. Similarly, there were those whom Hazrat Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) burned with fire. These ignorant polytheists also admit that whoever denies resurrection from the graves (life after death) is a disbeliever and must be killed, even if he says ﴿لا اله الا لله﴾. Whoever denies any pillar of Islam is also a disbeliever and must be killed, even if he verbally recites the declaration of monotheism.

In this case, how is it possible that denying any part of the pillars of Islam does not benefit from the declaration of faith, but denying the distinguishing feature and foundation of the religion of the messengers, monotheism, ﴿لا اله الا لله﴾ becomes a cause of peace and salvation for him? In reality, the enemies of Allah have not understood the meaning of these hadiths.

The reality of the hadith of Hazrat Usama (may Allah be pleased with him) is that he killed a man who claimed Islam by saying ﴿لا اله الا لله﴾, thinking that he was only wearing the cloak of Islam out of fear for his life and wealth.

When a person expresses his being Muslim, it becomes obligatory to refrain from killing him until his contradiction in words and deeds becomes clear. Regarding this, the divine command is:

﴿يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا إِذَا ضَرَبْتُمْ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ فَتَبَيَّنُوا﴾

“O you who have believed! When you go forth in the cause of Allah, investigate carefully.”
This verse indicates refraining from killing and seeking the truth. If after this refraining, the person commits an act against Islam, then according to Allah’s command in “fatabayyanu” he should be killed. If a person cannot be killed after uttering the declaration of faith once, then the meaning of verification (tathbit) would be meaningless.

There are other similar hadiths and examples whose meaning is what we have mentioned: when he manifests the declaration of faith and Islam, it becomes obligatory to refrain from killing him unless he commits an act that contradicts his claim. The proof of this is that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said:
اقتلته بعد ما قال لا إله إلا الله and his statement is:

أمرت أن أقاتل الناس حتى يقولوا لا إله إلا الله

These refer to the Kharijites.

ايما لقيتموهم فاقتلوهم لين أدركتهم لا قتلتهم قتل عاد

“Wherever you meet them, kill them. If they come to me, I will kill them like the ‘Ad.”
Although the Kharijites were more devoted in worship, saying ﴿لا اله الا لله﴾ and reciting tasbih than ordinary people, to the extent that the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) considered their prayers inferior and ordinary in comparison. The Kharijites learned knowledge from the Companions but when their opposition to Shariah became apparent, saying ﴿لا اله الا الله﴾ did not benefit them at all.

The same applies to fighting the Jews and Banu Hanifa.

Similarly, when the Prophet (peace be upon him) was informed that Banu Mustaliq had withheld zakat, he intended to fight them. At that time, the verse was revealed:

﴿يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا إِن جَاءَكُمْ فَاسِقٌ بِنَبَإٍ فَتَبَيَّنُوا﴾

“O you who have believed! If a hypocrite comes to you with information, verify it carefully.”
And indeed, the informer was later proven to be lying. All these incidents indicate that the hadiths from which these polytheists have taken their weak support actually mean what we have explained.

Chapter Fourteen:
The Reality of Istighatha:

Doubt Number: 14

Another objection and doubt among the polytheists is that they say:
“The Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم said that on the Day of Resurrection, people will seek help (istighatha) from Prophet Adam عليه السلام, then from Prophet Noah عليه السلام, from Prophet Abraham عليه السلام, from Prophet Moses عليه السلام, from Prophet Jesus عليه السلام, and finally they will go to the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم.”
According to these polytheists, this incident indicates that seeking benefit from anyone other than Allah is not shirk (polytheism).
Answer:
We glorify the Being of Allah who seals the hearts of the enemies of Allah and say that we do not deny seeking help (istighatha) from any creation, provided that the matter is within their power. As in the story of Prophet Moses عليه السلام, the divine command is:

﴿فَاسْتَغَاثَهُ الَّذِي مِن شِيعَتِهِ عَلَى الَّذِي مِنْ عَدُوِّهِ﴾

“One from among their own people sought help from them against an enemy.”
Or as a person during war or other circumstances seeks help from his companions in matters which they have the power to do.
What we deny is “istighatha as worship.” Like those who seek help and relief from difficulties at the shrines of the Awliya (saints) of Allah, or from afar in their absence, in matters whose power belongs only to Allah. Once this is established, then on the Day of Resurrection, people seeking help from the Prophets and Messengers to pray to Allah so that the accounting of people may be done and the people of Paradise may be relieved from this long delay and distress—such istighatha is permissible in both this world and the Hereafter.
In this world, it is like going to a pious, pure, living, and true wali (friend of Allah) who sits you near him and listens to you. You ask him to pray to Allah for you, just as the Companions of the Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم used to ask him during his blessed life. However, after the death of the Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم, it never happened that the Companions رضي الله عنهم went to the sacred grave and asked this. Rather, the pious predecessors forbade even standing by the blessed grave of the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم to ask from Allah. (To close the door) so that no one with weak faith or weak belief might think that perhaps he is asking for needs from that grave.
Let alone asking from you.

Doubt Number: 15

They also raise an objection and question that when Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him) was thrown into the fire of Nimrod, Angel Jibra’il (Gabriel) came to Prophet Khalil (Ibrahim) and said:
” الك حاجة؟ Is there any need?“ Then Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him) replied اما الك فلا If it is from your own self, then there is no need. If seeking help from Angel Jibra’il (Gabriel) was polytheism, then he would never have offered it to Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him).“
Answer:
This is similar to the previous doubt and suspicion. Angel Jibra’il (Gabriel) offered help in what was within his power. Because Angel Jibra’il (Gabriel) is described in divine revelation as “severe in strength,” very powerful. If Allah had permitted him to uproot the land and mountains around the fire of Nimrod and throw them far to the east and west, it would have been within his power. If Allah had commanded him to lift Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him) from that place and take him to a distant location, that too was possible for him.
And if he had been commanded to lift Ibrahim (peace be upon him) towards the heavens, he was capable of that as well. This incident is exactly like the offer of a wealthy and rich person who sees a helpless and needy person and wishes to lend him money or give him something as needed, but the distressed needy person refuses to accept the offer and does not let go of patience, until Allah Himself provides him sustenance in which he is not indebted to anyone other than Allah. If there is any understanding and wisdom among the polytheists, then let them explain where this seeking help is worship and polytheism?
——————

Sixteenth Chapter:

Monotheism:

We conclude this series of discussions, God willing, on a great and important issue which you must have understood from the previous pages. However, due to its grandeur and the many misconceptions people have about it, we clarify it individually by saying that without any doubt, the combination of heartfelt affirmation, verbal declaration, and the actions of the limbs is called faith (Iman). Without any one of these three components, a person is not a Muslim. And if, after fully understanding monotheism (Tawheed), one does not act upon it, then like Satan, Pharaoh, and their successors, such a stubborn and obstinate person is a disbeliever (kafir).

This is the very issue where many people err. They say that this is the truth, they understand it and believe in its correctness, but they do not have the strength to act upon it. According to the people of their country and region, nothing is permissible or acceptable except their own approval and consent, or they present some other excuse. But these poor souls do not realize that most of the chiefs of the disbelievers understood the truth and only refrained from monotheism by taking refuge in some excuse.

As Allah Almighty says:

﴿اشْتَرَوْا بِآيَاتِ اللَّهِ ثَمَنًا قَلِيلًا﴾

“They have turned away in exchange for a small price from the verses of Allah.”

There are many other similar verses, for example, the command of Allah is:

﴿يَعْرِفُونَهُ كَمَا يَعْرِفُونَ أَبْنَاءَهُمْ﴾

“This Book (the Truth) is conveyed in such a way as one conveys to his sons.”

If a person outwardly adopts the appearance of monotheism while neither understanding it well nor having heartfelt belief in it, then he is a hypocrite and worse than a hardened disbeliever. Indicating this, Allah Almighty has said:

﴿إِنَّ الْمُنَافِقِينَ فِي الدَّرْكِ الْأَسْفَلِ مِنَ النَّارِ﴾

“The abode of the hypocrites is the lowest depths of Hell.”

In short, this chain of lame excuses is very long. As you ponder over people’s words, the mysteries and secrets of this will unfold to you. You will find people who understand the truth well but do not act upon it out of fear of material loss, loss of false prestige, or fear of displeasing someone. You will also find people who act outwardly but not from the heart. And if you ask them about heartfelt belief, they will be completely ignorant in this matter. But it is very important for you to understand two verses from the Book of Allah well. The first of these is the command of Allah:

﴿لَا تَعْتَذِرُوا قَدْ كَفَرْتُم بَعْدَ إِيمَانِكُمْ﴾

“Make no excuse; you have become disbelievers after having believed.”

When this matter becomes clear before you that some companions of the Prophet (may Allah be pleased with them), who fought alongside the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) against the Romans, were declared disbelievers because of a word they uttered merely in jest, then it should not remain hidden from you that a person who utters words of disbelief and acts upon them out of fear of worldly wealth, false honor, or to please someone, is worse in disbelief than those who say such words in jest.

And the second divine command is:

﴿مَن كَفَرَ بِاللَّهِ مِن بَعْدِ إِيمَانِهِ إِلَّا مَنْ أُكْرِهَ وَقَلْبُهُ مُطْمَئِنٌّ بِالْإِيمَانِ وَلَٰكِن مَّن شَرَحَ بِالْكُفْرِ صَدْرًا فَعَلَيْهِمْ غَضَبٌ مِّنَ اللَّهِ وَلَهُمْ عَذَابٌ عَظِيمٌ ‎١٠٦‏ ذَٰلِكَ بِأَنَّهُمُ اسْتَحَبُّوا الْحَيَاةَ الدُّنْيَا عَلَى الْآخِرَةِ ﴾

“Whoever disbelieves after having believed, except for one who is forced while his heart is at peace with faith—but those whose hearts have deviated (mixed with disbelief), upon them is wrath from Allah, and for them is a great punishment. That is because they preferred the worldly life over the Hereafter and delighted in it.”

Such people have no acceptable excuse before Allah except those who are compelled to utter words of disbelief but whose hearts remain firm and satisfied with faith. Apart from this compulsion, whoever disbelieves after being a believer—whether out of fear of someone, to please someone, out of patriotism, for the sake of family and relatives, greed for wealth, or even as a joke—has become a disbeliever.

The above verse indicates this matter in two ways.

First:
In the words of this divine command “al-amn ukrah,” Allah has not exempted anyone except the compelled and helpless. And it is an undeniable fact that a person can be forced to utter something verbally or to do something under compulsion, but no one can compel him in any way regarding the belief of the heart.

Second:
In the previously mentioned verses, the Almighty says:

﴿ذَٰلِكَ بِأَنَّهُمُ اسْتَحَبُّوا الْحَيَاةَ الدُّنْيَا عَلَى الْآخِرَةِ﴾

“This is because they preferred the worldly life over the Hereafter and were pleased with it.”
This honorable statement clearly indicates that this disbelief and punishment are not due to wrong beliefs, ignorance, enmity and hatred towards religion, or love of disbelief, but the real reason is the preservation and share of what he expects to receive from the goods of this world. In other words, he has preferred the goods of this world over the wealth of religion.