The Response to Those Who Say: We Take Intercessors Because We Are Sinners

Question:
May Allah reward you, Your Eminence, father. The questioner asks: What is the response to those who say that we take intermediaries because we are sinners?

Answer:
This is the statement of the first polytheists. This is the statement of the first polytheists. They say: “We take them as intercessors for us with Allah because we are sinners, and they intercede for us with Allah.” And Allah refuted them and counted it as shirk (associating partners with Allah). He said: “They worship other than Allah what neither harms them nor benefits them,” and they say: “These are our intercessors with Allah.” They do not say: “They are partners of Allah.” They say: “Intercessors.” And shirk is shirk, even if it is called by another name. Even if it is called intercession or tawassul (seeking nearness to Allah through a means), it is shirk. It is not permissible. Yes. The best of expressions does not change the facts. Yes.