This kind of reasoning is actually based on misconception and perverse logic.

This kind of reasoning is actually based on misconception and perverse logic. In the following pages an attempt is made to pick out flaws in this mode of reasoning and to present a sound and clear picture of the true position. Each appeal for help is not an act of worship In these Qur’ānic verses the word du‘ā’ has been used in the sense of worship.

But the holy Qur’ān does not interpret the word du‘ā’ as worship in all contexts, otherwise minds which have gone astray will not refrain from casting stones even on the prophets and will marshal assorted evidence in a futile effort to prove their point of view. Allāh says in the holy Qur’ān: Say: Come! Let us call (together) our sons and your sons. [8] Then (after a little while) a (girl) out of the two came to him who was walking with modesty.

She said: ‘my father is calling you to remunerate you for the (labour) you have done for us by feeding water (to) our (goats).’[9] Then (after slaughtering them), put a portion of them on every hill and call to them, they will come to you with speed.[10] When we shall call together all factions of human beings with their leaders.[11] The comments made by ‘Abdullāh bin ‘Abbās on this Qur’ānic verse are as follows: Here the leader or Imām means the person whose invitation the people have followed, whether this invitation leads them to evil or guidance.

[12] It means that each community will gather around its leader whose commands it followed during its earthly sojourn and Allāh will call them by this specific label: ‘O followers of such and such leader, your fate will be decided along with him.’ In short, if we interpret the word du‘ā’ in these verses as worship, we are more likely to open the window of disbelief rather than close it.

Therefore it seems logical to conclude that if the word du‘ā’ is linked with an infidel or a non-believer, it will mean an act of worship, otherwise its meaning will change with the change of context.

In the verses cited against the justification of appeal for help as arguments the word du‘ā’ is directed at the infidels, therefore, in these situations it will mean an act of worship, but they do not disacknowledge the validity of appeal for help because the favourites of Allāh whose help is being sought are not entitled to be worshipped. Second objection: Appeal for help is a form of disbelief in supernatural matters This objection is based on a particular division.