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Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books The Shiite Apologetics Question Twelve Is it not Shirk (polytheism) to ask the real interceders to intercede? Discussion: The argument in support of the above question holds that intercession is Allahs exclusive right, as stated in the Holy Quran. Say Allahs is the intercession altogether (39:42). Therefore, asking others to intercede is not in accord with the principle of worshipping only the One God.

Answer: The polytheism referred to above is certainly different from the specific ones, such as dualism and associating someone with Allah in creating the world and managing it. The above mentioned shirk or polytheism signifies worshiping something or someone other than Allah. No doubt, what worship means should first be precisely defined so as to clarify the issue at hand.

We are not authorized to interpret any homage paid to creatures as an act of worship, nor are we allowed to consider any request made from a servant of God as such. According to the clear text of the Quran, the angels prostrated before Adam: When I have shaped him, and breathed My spirit in him, fall you down, bowing before him. (38:72-73) The prostration that was done upon Gods command had had, in reality, no connotation of worshipping Adam; otherwise, God would not have ordered it.

On the other hand, Jacobs sons and even Jacob himself prostrated before Joseph: And he raised his parents upon the throne and they fell down in prostration before him (12:100).

If such humbleness that they showed could have meant worshipping Joseph, then Jacob, the noble Prophet, who had been divinely protected against error, would not have conceded to it, nor would he have agreed with his sons performing it, while it is obvious that prostration is unequalled by any other form of humbleness that one shows. We should, therefore, differentiate between the issue of paying homage to someone and invoking his aid on the one hand, and worshipping him on the other.

Worshipping, in reality, signifies taking someone as God and adoring him, or taking a phenomenon which is created by God - as having been invested with the ability of performing what is specifically Gods, such as managing the affairs of the world and forgiving the sins.