Explanation

by Shaikh Salih ibn Fawzan al-Fawzan In this (verse) is a proof that worshiping the Prophets is Shirk, just like worshiping the idols is Shirk. In it is a refutation of those grave-worshipers who differentiate in this matter, and say that Shirk is only the worship of the idols. According to them, he who worships the Awliya and righteous men is not the same as the one who worships the idols, and they deny any similarity between them, and they claim that Shirk is limited to the worship of the idols only. This is clearly a misconception from two aspects; i) Allah has condemned all (including those who worship the Awliya and righteous) in the Quran and he commanded fighting them. ii) The Prophet did not differentiate between the worshiper of idol and a worshiper of Angel or a worshiper of a righteous man. - 46 - Shaikh Muhammad ibn Abdul Wahhab writes, The proof of the Saliheen is the saying of Allah, "Those whom they call upon desire (for themselves) means of access to their Lord (Allah), as to which of them should be the nearest and they hope for His Mercy and fear His Torment." [surah al-Isra (17): 57]