Q 3: Sufis claim that their seeking help from and calling upon the righteous servants of Allah is only metaphorical, and that in reality, Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) is the One from Whom they are seeking help. How should we answer them, considering that they justify their practice by citing the Ayah (which means): You killed them not How do you refute this claim?

A: Firstly, seeking help from and calling upon others besides Allah, such as the dead, absent people, idols, etc. Is a form of Shirk (associating others with Allah in His Divinity or worship). (Part No. 1; Page No. 109) Similarly, seeking help from or calling upon living people for help in matters that cannot be helped by anyone other than Allah is also a form of major Shirk which takes one out of the fold of Islam. Secondly, it is wrong to deduce from the following Ayah: You killed them not, but Allâh killed them. The permissibility of seeking help from and calling upon others besides Allah. Certainly, this is a wrong deduction. The correct interpretation of this Ayah is as follows: During the Battle of Badr, with the great numerical superiority and predominance of the disbelievers on the battlefield, it was not you (Muhammad) who made the small handful of dust that you threw reach the eyes of the whole enemy army, but it was Allah, with His Power, Who made it reach them all and afflict their eyes. There is nothing in this Ayah that supports seeking help from others besides Allah. On the contrary, it indicates that a person should avail himself of the means to reach his goal, no matter how weak they might seem, which was represented in this case by throwing the dust while begging Allah to aid them and protect them. By Allah’s Bounty and Power, the effect of this action was great. It is important to note that at the same instant the Prophet (peace be upon him) threw the dust, he was invoking Allah Alone for victory over his enemies; not the pious people.May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings of Allah be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family and Companions.