Interesting point raised by al Razi.
Prophets can’t help or protect us (obviously after they pass away or when they’re beyond our reach). This shows that they are not to be called upon and worshipped.
Allah says in Surah Isra verse 56-57
(56. Say: “Call upon those – besides Him whom you pretend. They have neither the power to remove the adversity from you nor even to shift (it from you to another person).”) (57. Those whom they call upon, desire a means of access to their Lord, as to which of them should be the nearest; and they hope for His mercy and fear His torment. Verily, the torment of your Lord is (something) to be afraid of!)
al Razi said:
قُلِ ٱدْعُواْ ٱلَّذِينَ زَعَمْتُم مّن دُونِهِ } وليس المراد الأصنام لأنه تعالى قال في صفتهم: { أُولَـئِكَ ٱلَّذِينَ يَدْعُونَ يَبْتَغُونَ إِلَىٰ رَبّهِمُ ٱلْوَسِيلَةَ } وابتغاء الوسيلة إلى الله تعالى لا يليق بالأصنام ألبتة. إذا ثبت هذا فنقول: إن قوماً عبدوا الملائكة فنزلت هذه الآية فيهم، وقيل: إنها نزلت في الذين عبدوا المسيح وعزيراً، وقيل: إن قوماً عبدوا نفراً من الجن فأسلم النفر من الجن، وبقي أولئك الناس متمسكين بعبادتهم فنزلت هذه الآية… ثم إنه تعالى احتج على فساد مذهب هؤلاء أن الإله المعبود هو الذي يقدر على إزالة الضرر، وإيصال المنفعة، وهذه الأشياء التي يعبدونها وهي الملائكة والجن والمسيح وعزير لا يقدرون على كشف الضر ولا على تحصيل النفع، فوجب القطع بأنها ليست آلهة.
Allah says: “Say: ‘Call upon those whom you claim [as intermediaries] besides Him.’
The intended meaning here is not idols, for Allah describes them as: ‘Those whom they call upon seek nearness to their Lord.’ Seeking nearness to Allah is not compatible with idols.
Once this is established, we say:
– A group worshipped angels, and this verse was revealed about them. It is said, it was revealed about those who worshipped Isa and Uzair.
– it is also said that people worshipped certain jinn, but the jinn converted to Islam, while the people remained devoted to their worship…
Allah argues against their misguided beliefs, emphasizing that the true God can:
1. Remove harm
2. Grant benefits
In contrast, the beings they worship – angels, jinn, Isa, and Uzair – cannot:
1. Remove harm
2. Grant benefits
Therefore, it is conclusive that they are not divine.”
(Tafseer al kabeer under surah al Isra verse 56-57)