The Meaning of the Saying of Allah the Exalted: "Have You Not Considered al-Lat and al-'Uzza?" and the Acknowledgment of the Polytheists of Lordship

The questioner:
May Allah preserve the Shaykh, may Allah preserve you. Do you think, may Allah preserve you, that the meaning of the saying of Allah the Exalted, "Have You Not Considered al-Lat and al-'Uzza"

The Shaykh:
And Allah (Exalted and Majestic is He) informed about the House that it is blessed, to the one in Makkah, a blessing for the worlds, but He did not indicate to the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) to seek blessing from it or to attach oneself to it.

The questioner:
Well, my brother, the Shaykh, may Allah preserve you, regarding your question about the meaning of the saying of Allah the Exalted, "Have You Not Considered al-Lat and al-'Uzza," that this is a rebuke of the polytheists because these idols did not benefit them and did not protect them. These verses and many others indicate this meaning. But Allah, (Glorified and Exalted is He), mentioned that the reason for their worship of these idols is that they would intercede for them with Allah, and that they knew that Allah, (Mighty and Majestic), is the Creator, the Provider, the One who sends down rain, and the One who guides. So what is the position of the Muslims regarding this, even though they acknowledge that they do not benefit or harm, but are merely agents and intercessors?

The Shaykh:
They do not know whether they benefit or harm. If they say they do not benefit or harm, then those who attached themselves to them are mistaken. They believe that they benefit. It is not sufficient for a person to acknowledge that Allah is the Creator and the Provider. Rather, it is necessary to worship Allah, (Mighty and Majestic), based on tawhid al-uluhiyyah (oneness of worship). It is not sufficient to acknowledge lordship; one must acknowledge lordship and oneness of worship, and worship Allah. Seeking blessing is one of the types of worship.