The Reconciliation of the Belief of the Polytheists That Their Deities Benefit Them, Harm Them, and Bring Them Closer to Allah

Question:
Honorable Shaykh, he says: In a previous lesson, you mentioned that the mushrikeen (those who associate partners with Allah) believe that their objects of worship benefit them and harm them, but the verses indicate that they believe these objects bring them closer to Allah and intercede for them. And He said: So what is the way to reconcile these two statements?

Answer:
Do they benefit them in intercession? Do they benefit them in bringing them closer to Allah? No, they believe that they benefit them and that they harm them, such that if one does not call upon the grave or look at it, it will kill his child or it will afflict him with harm, or they threaten him with those who support it, and their reaching [the grave] is that the idols and shrines harm them. They believe in them that they benefit; if they did not believe that they benefit, they would not worship them. He believed, may Allah forgive you, that they benefit and harm in themselves. Is that shirk (associating partners with Allah) in lordship? It is at least shirk in worship, calling upon them, and doubt in lordship if he travels to the grave. Yes.