Indeed, sincere devotion is due ˹only˺ to Allah. As for those who take other lords besides Him, ˹saying,˺ “We worship them only so they may bring us closer to Allah,” surely Allah will judge between all1 regarding what they differed about. Allah certainly does not guide whoever persists in lying and disbelief.
Is it not to Allah 4243 that sincere devotion is due? But those who take for protectors other than Allah (say): "We only serve them in order that they may bring us nearer 4244 to Allah." Truly Allah will judge between them in that wherein they differ. 4245 But Allah guides not such as are false and ungrateful.
4243 In many Signs in Creation as described below, there yet is a clear indication of the unity of Plan, pointing to the Unity of the Creator. Worship of service is due to none but Him. And He wants exclusive and sincere devotion.
4244 Worshippers of Idols or of deities other than Allah, e.g., saints or perhaps Wealth and Power, Science or Selfish Desire, may pretend that these are symbols that may get them nearer to their self-development, nearer to the goal of their life, nearer to Allah, but they are altogether on the wrong track.
4245 This departure of theirs from true worship, this divergence from the right way, produces endless disputations and sects. Allah will judge between them. But if they are determined to go after falsehoods and forget the gratitude and service which they owe to Allah, and Allah alone, they are putting themselves on a Path where they will get no guidance. They are cutting themselves off from revealed Truth.
Is it not to God alone that all sincere faith is due? And yet, they who take for their protectors aught beside Him [are wont to say], “We worship them for no other reason than that they bring us nearer to God.” 1 Behold, God will judge between them [on Resurrection Day] with regard to all wherein they differ [from the truth]: 2 for, verily, God does not grace with His guidance anyone who is bent on lying [to himself and is] stubbornly ingrate! 3
1 This relates not only to the worship of saints, angels and "deified" persons as such, but also to that of their symbolic representations (statues, pictures, relics, etc.) and, in the case of defunct human personalities, of their real or reputed tombs. Since all such practices are based on the worshipper’s hope of "mediation" between himself and God, they obviously conflict with the concept of His omniscience and justice, and are, therefore - notwithstanding their widespread occurrence - utterly rejected by the Qur’an.
2 I.e., between those worshippers and the spiritual leaders who have led them astray (cf. 34:31-33).
3 Cf. 6:22-24 and the corresponding notes.
1 Those who are devoted to Allah alone and those who associate other gods with Him.