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Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books Islamic Question & Answer Question 14 : Does Calling Others Imply Worship To Them Or Is It Considered To Be Polytheism?

Actually, what motivates such a question is the appearance of some of the Quranic verses which apparently order us to prevent calling other than God: "And that the mosque's are Allah's, therefore call not upon anyone with Allah." "And do not call besides Allah on that which can neither benefit you nor harm you." By using the above-mentioned verses, they are some who have considered the calling of the pious friends of Allah and others after their death, as worshipping them and therefore, polytheism.

ANSWER: In an effort to clarify the answer to this question, it is appropriate to explain the meaning of the Phrases 'supplication' and 'worship'.

There is no doubt to the fact that the word, 'dua supplication' means calling and the phrase, 'IBadaat worship' meaning devotion and reverence to God, and these two phrases can never be synonyms, ie, we cannot say that every call and request is worship and viceverca due to the fact that: Firstly, in the Holy Quran the word, 'Calling' is used in instances which can certainly not mean 'worship', such as: "He said, 'O my Lord!

Surely I have called my people by night and by day!" Considering this ayah, can we imply that p. Noah meant that he worshipped his people day and night?! Thus, one cannot deduce that calling and worship are synonyms, because it would end up meaning that if somebody called help from the H. prophet (p) or a devout person of God, he has worshipped them since calling is more general than worshipping.

Secondly, what is meant by calling in all of these verses, is not just any calling, rather, a special call which can be accompanied with worship; because the aggregate of these verses talk about the idol-worshippers who worshipped their idols and accepted them as their small Gods.

Indisputably, the acquiescence of the idol-worshippers and their supplication and help-seeking before their idols, was because they attributed them the power of intercession and forgiveness, and also because of the fact they considered them to be self-sufficient in matters related to both the worlds. Thus it is but obvious that in such conditions, any type of 'calling' and request of these beings, is worshipping them.