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Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books The Shia Rebuts Question 12: Is asking the rightful intercessors for intercession {shafa‘ah} tantamount to polytheism {shirk}?

While discussing this question, it is assumed that intercession { shafa‘ah } exclusively rests with God as it is stated in the Holy Qur’an: "قل لله الشفعة جميعاً." “Say, ‘All intercession rests with Allah’.” [^1] Therefore, turning for intercession to any other than God means asking for God’s absolute right from His servant and seeking such a need is, in reality, worshipping other than God which is inconsistent with “monotheism in worship” { tawhid fi’l ‘ibadah }.

Reply: Here, shirk {polytheism} does not mean polytheism in essence, creative power or in design (governing); it actually means polytheism in worshipping Him. Obviously, elucidating this point depends on the correct interpretation of worship and devotion, and we all know that in interpreting the word “worship” we have not been authorized to consider as “worship” any form of submission to a creator or any type of request from a servant (of God).

Similarly, the sons of Ya‘qub (Jacob) ( ‘a ) as well as Ya‘qub himself prostrated before Yusuf (Joseph) ( ‘a ): ورفع أبويه على العرش وخرُّوا له سجداً. “And he seated his parents high upon the throne, and they fell down prostrate before him.” [^3] If we consider this humility as equivalent to worshipping Yusuf ( ‘a ), then Prophet Ya‘qub ( ‘a ) who has a station of infallibility { ‘ismah } must not have done it nor must he have been pleased with his sons’ act.

Meanwhile, there is no way of expressing humility that is loftier than prostration. Consequently, we must distinguish between the concept of “humility” or “asking from other than God” and that of “worshipping God”.