To complete this, you must understand that the polytheists whom the Messenger of Allāh (ṣallá Allāhu ʿalayhi wa-sallam) fought used to invoke the righteous, such as the angels, Jesus, Ezra, and others among the saints. They disbelieved because of this, despite acknowledging that Allāh is the Creator, Provider, and Manager. If you understand this, you will understand the meaning of "There is no deity but Allāh," and you will realize that whoever calls upon a prophet, an angel, or seeks help from them has left Islam. This is the disbelief for which the Messenger of Allāh (ṣallá Allāhu ʿalayhi wa-sallam) fought them. If one of the polytheists says, "We know that Allāh is the Creator, Provider, and Manager, and He enables these righteous ones to be close to Him. We call upon them, make vows to them, and seek their intercession, desiring closeness and intercession, but we understand that Allāh is the Creator and Manager." Then say: Your words are the way of Abū Jahl and his likes, for they invoked Jesus, Ezra, the angels, and the saints with this intention, as Allāh said: "And those who take protectors besides Him [say], 'We only worship them that they may bring us nearer to Allāh in position.'" (Az-Zumar, 3). And He said: "And they worship besides Allāh that which neither harms them nor benefits them, and they say, 'These are our intercessors with Allāh.'" (Yūnus, 18). If you contemplate this well, you will understand that the disbelievers testify to Allāh's oneness in lordship, which is His uniqueness in creation, provision, and management. Yet, they call upon Jesus, the angels, and the saints, intending that they bring them closer to Allāh and intercede for them. You will also understand that among the disbelievers, especially the Christians, there are those who worship Allāh day and night, renounce the world, and give charity from what they receive, secluded in a hermitage away from people. Yet, despite this, they are disbelievers and enemies of Allāh. They are eternally in the Fire because of their belief in Jesus or others among the saints, whom they invoke, sacrifice for, or make vows to. It becomes clear to you the nature of Islam, which your Prophet (ṣallá Allāhu ʿalayhi wa-sallam) called to, and it becomes clear to you that many people are far from it. It also becomes clear to you the meaning of his (ṣallá Allāhu ʿalayhi wa-sallam) saying: "Islam began as something strange, and it will return to being strange as it began." So, by Allāh, by Allāh, my brothers, hold fast to the foundation of your religion, its beginning and its end, its essence and its peak: the testimony that there is no deity but Allāh. Understand its meaning, love it, love its people, and make them your brothers, even if they are distant. Disbelieve in the false deities, oppose them, hate them, and hate those who love them or argue on their behalf or do not declare them disbelievers or say, "It is not my concern," or say, "Allāh has not tasked me with them." Such a person has lied about Allāh and fabricated, for Allāh has tasked him with them and has made it obligatory to disbelieve in them and disassociate from them, even if they are his brothers and children. So, by Allāh, by Allāh, hold fast to this so that you may meet your Lord not associating anything with Him. O Allāh, let us die as Muslims and join us with the righteous.