Short answer
Islam says God (﷾) alone answers prayer, so every prayer should go straight to Him. Chinese temples and homes honour many figures: Mazu, Guan Yu, the Kitchen God (﷾), the god of wealth and Guanyin. Some were people honoured after death. By tradition Mazu was a young woman of Fujian in the tenth century, and Guan Yu was a general who died in 220. This page speaks no ill of any of them. It asks who can answer. The Qur'an says those called on besides God (﷾) are servants like those who call (7:194). They cannot answer or help (35:14; 17:56). It says that in a storm at sea, God (﷾) alone can save (6:63-64; 17:67). God (﷾) says He is close and answers whoever calls on Him (2:186).
Full explanation
Who is honoured at the temple
Many Chinese temples honour Mazu, the goddess of the sea. By tradition she was Lin Moniang, a young woman of Meizhou island in Fujian, who lived from 960 to 987. The story says she helped her neighbours and died trying to save people from a shipwreck. Some 5,000 temples honour her, and people ask her for children, peace and well-being. Chinese junks carried altars to her on board. Guan Yu was a general who died in 220 (some sources say 219). Emperors later gave him rising titles, and he came to be worshipped as Guan Di (Kuan Ti), the god of war. The Kitchen God (﷾), Zao Jun (Tsao Chün), has his picture by the stove in many homes. Families believe he reports on them each year to Heaven, the court of the gods in popular belief. The god of wealth, Caishen (Ts'ai Shên), has been linked with several different men. Guanyin is the bodhisattva Avalokitesvara of Mahayana Buddhism. A bodhisattva is a being vowed to save others. The page "Should anyone pray to the Buddha or a bodhisattva?" answers prayer to Guanyin.
The UNESCO listing calls Mazu the most influential goddess of the sea in China. It says she is believed to have lived in the tenth century on Meizhou Island, where she helped her townspeople, and died trying to rescue the survivors of a shipwreck. Local people then built a temple in her honour. It says some 5,000 Mazu temples stand around the world, and that followers may ask her for pregnancy, peace, the solution to a problem or general well-being.
Tan writes that Mazu, also known as Lin Moniang, was born in 960 and died in 987, and came from Meizhou island, Putian, in Fujian. He says devotion to her began in the Song dynasty, and that for those who must risk their lives at sea she became the most important deity. He writes that Chinese travellers sailed on junks with altars to Mazu on board, and on arrival gave thanks for a safe voyage.
Werner tells of Guan Yu (Kuan Yü), a general of the Three Kingdoms period famed for loyalty, who was captured by Sun Quan's forces and put to death (he gives A.D. 219). Emperors gave him rising titles from 1120 onward. In 1594 the Ming emperor Wanli named him a ti, and since then he has been worshipped as Guan Di (Kuan Ti), the god of war. Many trades and professions took him as their patron.
The official history of the period records that in the twelfth month of the 24th year of Jian'an, Ma Zhong, an officer under Sun Quan's general Pan Zhang, captured Guan Yu and his son Guan Ping. Guan Yu's own biography says that Sun Quan's generals beheaded him and his son. That twelfth month fell early in 220 CE; some later writers give the year as 219.
Werner lists among the gods worshipped by the people Zao Jun (Tsao Chün), the Kitchen God; T'ien-hou (Mazu), goddess of sailors; and Caishen (Ts'ai Shên), the god of wealth (p. 165). The Kitchen God's picture is kept by the cooking stove in family homes. He is believed to have power over the family and to make a report each year to Heaven on its conduct; families see him off at the year's end (pp. 45, 167-168). The god of wealth has been linked with several different men (p. 170).
“All the hundred thousands of myriads of kotis of creatures, young man of good family, who in this world are suffering troubles will, if they hear the name of the Bodhisattva Mahasattva Avalokitesvara, be released from that mass of troubles. Those who shall keep the name of this Bodhisattva Mahasattva Avalokitesvara, young man of good family, will, if they fall into a great mass of fire, be delivered therefrom by virtue of the lustre of the Bodhisattva Mahasattva. In case, young man of good family, creatures, carried off by the current of rivers, should implore the Bodhisattva Mahasattva Avalokitesvara, all rivers will afford them a ford.”
The storm at sea
Mazu is honoured above all by people who work on the sea, who look to her for a safe voyage. The Qur'an speaks of that very moment, and asks who truly saves. A ship sails with a fair wind, and then a storm comes and the waves rise on every side. The Qur'an tells of people who then "cry unto Allah, sincerely offering (their) duty unto Him". It asks, "Who is it that delivereth you from the dark recesses of land and sea"? Its answer: "It is Allah that delivereth you from these and all (other) distresses". It says that in distress at sea, "those that ye call upon - besides Himself - leave you in the lurch!" And it says that many, once safe on land, turn to others again. The Qur'an asks us to keep on dry land the sincerity of the storm, and to call on the One who saves.
Tan writes that Mazu, also known as Lin Moniang, was born in 960 and died in 987, and came from Meizhou island, Putian, in Fujian. He says devotion to her began in the Song dynasty, and that for those who must risk their lives at sea she became the most important deity. He writes that Chinese travellers sailed on junks with altars to Mazu on board, and on arrival gave thanks for a safe voyage.
“He it is Who enableth you to traverse through land and sea; so that ye even board ships;- they sail with them with a favourable wind, and they rejoice thereat; then comes a stormy wind and the waves come to them from all sides, and they think they are being overwhelmed: they cry unto Allah, sincerely offering (their) duty unto Him saying, "If thou dost deliver us from this, we shall truly show our gratitude!"”
“Say: "Who is it that delivereth you from the dark recesses of land and sea, when ye call upon Him in humility and silent terror: 'If He only delivers us from these (dangers), (we vow) we shall truly show our gratitude'?" Say "It is Allah that delivereth you from these and all (other) distresses: and yet ye worship false gods!"”
“When distress seizes you at sea, those that ye call upon - besides Himself - leave you in the lurch! but when He brings you back safe to land, ye turn away (from Him). Most ungrateful is man!”
“Now, if they embark on a boat, they call on Allah, making their devotion sincerely (and exclusively) to Him; but when He has delivered them safely to (dry) land, behold, they give a share (of their worship to others)!-”
Those called on are servants too
The Qur'an says, "those whom ye call upon besides Allah are servants like unto you". It says they have no power to remove anyone's troubles, or to change them. Even those nearest to God (﷾), it says, themselves seek a way to their Lord, and hope for His mercy. Of those invoked besides Him it says, "if they were to listen, they cannot answer your (prayer)". So they cannot answer or help. This is a rule about calling, not a verdict on any person. What became of each person who lived before us belongs to God (﷾), who is never unjust.
“Verily those whom ye call upon besides Allah are servants like unto you: Call upon them, and let them listen to your prayer, if ye are (indeed) truthful!”
“Say: "Call on those - besides Him - whom ye fancy: they have neither the power to remove your troubles from you nor to change them." Those whom they call upon do desire (for themselves) means of access to their Lord, - even those who are nearest: they hope for His Mercy and fear His Wrath: for the Wrath of thy Lord is something to take heed of.”
“He merges Night into Day, and he merges Day into Night, and he has subjected the sun and the moon (to his Law): each one runs its course for a term appointed. Such is Allah your Lord: to Him belongs all Dominion. And those whom ye invoke besides Him have not the least power.”
“If ye invoke them, they will not listen to your call, and if they were to listen, they cannot answer your (prayer). On the Day of Judgment they will reject your "Partnership". and none, (O man!) can tell thee (the Truth) like the One Who is acquainted with all things.”
“Allah is never unjust in the least degree: If there is any good (done), He doubleth it, and giveth from His own presence a great reward.”
No one needs to carry your prayer
Many people see the temple gods as helpers who carry prayers to Heaven. The Kitchen God (﷾) is said to report on the family each year. The Qur'an answers this idea. It quotes people saying, "These are our intercessors with Allah". It asks them, "Do ye indeed inform Allah of something He knows not". God (﷾) already knows every family and every heart: He is "nearer to him than (his) jugular vein". He says, "I am indeed close (to them): I listen to the prayer of every suppliant when he calleth on Me". So a prayer needs no one to carry it. God (﷾) knows all things before any report is made.
“They serve, besides Allah, things that hurt them not nor profit them, and they say: "These are our intercessors with Allah." Say: "Do ye indeed inform Allah of something He knows not, in the heavens or on earth?- Glory to Him! and far is He above the partners they ascribe (to Him)!"”
“Is it not to Allah 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 to Allah." Truly Allah will judge between them in that wherein they differ. But Allah guides not such as are false and ungrateful.”
“It was We Who created man, and We know what dark suggestions his soul makes to him: for We are nearer to him than (his) jugular vein.”
“When My servants ask thee concerning Me, I am indeed close (to them): I listen to the prayer of every suppliant when he calleth on Me: Let them also, with a will, Listen to My call, and believe in Me: That they may walk in the right way.”
Calling on a god is worship
Many families say that a visit to the temple is culture, not worship. Islam judges the act, not the name it is given. The Prophet (ﷺ) said that calling on God (﷾) in prayer (du'a) is itself worship. Every Muslim prays, "Thee do we worship, and Thine aid we seek." The Qur'an says, "invoke not any one along with Allah". So lighting incense and asking a god for children or wealth is worship, whatever it is called. Asking a living person to help in what he can do is different, and it is fine. Calling on anyone but God (﷾) for what only God (﷾) can give is not. This rule is the same for everyone. A Muslim who calls on anyone but God (﷾) for such things breaks it too.
An-Nu'man ibn Bashir reports that the Prophet (ﷺ) said: supplication is worship. He then recited the verse in which Allah says: call on Me, I will answer you.
“And your Lord says: "Call on Me; I will answer your (Prayer): but those who are too arrogant to serve Me will surely find themselves in Hell - in humiliation!"”
“Thee do we worship, and Thine aid we seek.”
“"And the places of worship are for Allah (alone): So invoke not any one along with Allah;”
“"'Nor call on any, other than Allah;- Such will neither profit thee nor hurt thee: if thou dost, behold! thou shalt certainly be of those who do wrong.'"”
Respect without prayer
The Qur'an tells Muslims not to revile those whom others call on. So this page mocks no one: not Mazu, not Guan Yu, and not the families who honour them. Islam does not ask anyone to scorn the kind deeds told of them. It asks only where prayer goes. Honour can be given to good people. Prayer, offerings and bowing in worship go to God (﷾) alone. The Qur'an says, "Do not prostrate to the sun and the moon, but prostrate to Allah, Who created them".
“Revile not ye those whom they call upon besides Allah, lest they out of spite revile Allah in their ignorance. Thus have We made alluring to each people its own doings. In the end will they return to their Lord, and We shall then tell them the truth of all that they did.”
“"And the places of worship are for Allah (alone): So invoke not any one along with Allah;”
“Say: "Truly, my prayer and my service of sacrifice, my life and my death, are (all) for Allah, the Cherisher of the Worlds: No partner hath He: this am I commanded, and I am the first of those who bow to His will.”
“Among His Signs are the Night and the Day, and the Sun and the Moon. Do not prostrate to the sun and the moon, but prostrate to Allah, Who created them, if it is Him ye wish to serve.”
But my prayers were answered
Many people say that a prayer at the temple brought them help. Islam does not deny that good came to them. The Qur'an says, "ye have no good thing but is from Allah". It says God (﷾) gives freely to all, "These as well as those". His gifts to all are not a sign that He accepts every prayer. They are a call to thank the Giver. It says He listens to "the (soul) distressed when it calls on Him", and relieves its suffering. Then it asks, "(Can there be another) god besides Allah?" So if good came after a prayer, the Giver was God, and He is the One to thank. He answers those who call on Him, in His own way and time. The Prophet (ﷺ) said that a prayer is answered as long as the one who prays is not impatient (Bukhari 6340).
“And ye have no good thing but is from Allah: and moreover, when ye are touched by distress, unto Him ye cry with groans;”
“Of the bounties of thy Lord We bestow freely on all- These as well as those: The bounties of thy Lord are not closed (to anyone).”
“Or, Who listens to the (soul) distressed when it calls on Him, and Who relieves its suffering, and makes you (mankind) inheritors of the earth? (Can there be another) god besides Allah? Little it is that ye heed!”
Abu Huraira reports the Prophet (ﷺ) saying that the prayer of any of you is answered as long as he is not impatient, saying: I prayed, and I was not answered.
Ask the One who answers
In Islam anyone may call on God (﷾) directly, at any hour, in any language, with no go-between. God (﷾) says, "Call on Me; I will answer your (Prayer)". In a saying the Prophet (ﷺ) reported from God (﷾), God (﷾) tells His servants to ask Him for guidance and for forgiveness. People need God (﷾), and He needs nothing from them. Islam (deen) is a complete way of life: belief, worship, family and character together. The page "What is Islam?" shows it in one place. The Qur'an asks you to test it. It says the Prophet (ﷺ) was sent to all people, and calls him the Seal of the Prophets, the last of them. Read the Qur'an, and ask whether it is from the One who answers.
“And your Lord says: "Call on Me; I will answer your (Prayer): but those who are too arrogant to serve Me will surely find themselves in Hell - in humiliation!"”
Abu Dharr reports the Prophet (ﷺ) saying that Allah says: My servants, I have forbidden injustice to Myself and made it forbidden among you, so do not wrong one another; all of you are astray except those I guide, so ask Me for guidance; you sin by night and day and I forgive all sins, so ask Me for forgiveness. A hadith qudsi: the meaning is given as Allah's, in the Prophet's words.
“O ye men! It is ye that have need of Allah: but Allah is the One Free of all wants, worthy of all praise.”
“This day have I perfected your religion for you, completed My favour upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your religion.”
“O ye who believe! Enter into Islam whole-heartedly; and follow not the footsteps of the evil one; for he is to you an avowed enemy.”
“And if ye are in doubt as to what We have revealed from time to time to Our servant, then produce a Sura like thereunto; and call your witnesses or helpers (If there are any) besides Allah, if your (doubts) are true.”
“Say: "O men! I am sent unto you all, as the Messenger of Allah, to Whom belongeth the dominion of the heavens and the earth: there is no god but He: it is He That giveth both life and death. So believe in Allah and His Messenger, the Unlettered Prophet, who believeth in Allah and His words: follow him that (so) ye may be guided."”
“Muhammad is not the father of any of your men, but (he is) the Messenger of Allah, and the Seal of the Prophets: and Allah has full knowledge of all things.”
Point by point
Qur'an 27:62 — Surat al-Naml (The Ant), verse 62
“Or, Who listens to the (soul) distressed when it calls on Him, and Who relieves its suffering, and makes you (mankind) inheritors of the earth? (Can there be another) god besides Allah? Little it is that ye heed!”
Cited for
I prayed at the temple and my prayer was answered, so the god heard me.
The response
Islam does not deny that good came to you. The Qur'an says, "ye have no good thing but is from Allah" (16:53). God (﷾) gives freely to all (17:20), so His gift is not a sign that He accepts every prayer. He listens to the distressed when they call on Him (27:62). So thank Him, and call on Him directly.
Where it lands — Good that comes after a prayer is from God (﷾), and the thanks belong to Him.
Sahih al-Bukhari 1597 — Kitab al-Hajj (Book of Pilgrimage), hadith 1597
Abis ibn Rabi'a reports that Umar came to the Black Stone and kissed it. Umar said that he knew it was a stone that could neither harm nor benefit, and that had he not seen the Prophet (ﷺ) kiss it, he would not have kissed it.
Cited for
Muslims kiss the Black Stone and bow towards the Kaaba, so they do the same thing.
The response
Muslims ask nothing of the stone or the building. Umar kissed the Black Stone and said it could neither harm nor benefit. He kissed it only because he saw the Prophet (ﷺ) do so. A Muslim faces the Kaaba to pray to God (﷾), and asks God (﷾) alone (1:5). The page "Do Muslims worship the Kaaba and the Black Stone?" answers this in full.
Where it lands — Facing the Kaaba is a direction for prayer to God (﷾). Nothing is asked of the stone.
Qur'an 39:44 — Surat al-Zumar (The Groups), verse 44
“Say: "To Allah belongs exclusively (the right to grant) intercession: to Him belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth: In the End, it is to Him that ye shall be brought back."”
Cited for
Muslims have a go-between too: they hope for the Prophet's (ﷺ) intercession.
The response
Muslims believe the Prophet (ﷺ) will intercede on the Day of Judgement, by God's (﷾) leave. But they do not pray to him for it. They ask God (﷾). The Prophet (ﷺ) taught a prayer to say after the call to prayer. In it a Muslim asks God (﷾) to raise the Prophet (ﷺ) to the praised station He promised him. Whoever says it, he said, will have his intercession (Bukhari 614). He himself was told to say, "I do no more than invoke my Lord" (72:20). All intercession belongs to God (39:44). No one can intercede except as He permits (2:255).
Where it lands — Intercession is real, and it is God's (﷾) to give. In Islam every prayer goes to God (﷾), even the prayer for intercession.
Qur'an 21:26-28 — Surat al-Anbiya (The Prophets), verses 26-28
“And they say: "(Allah) Most Gracious has begotten offspring." Glory to Him! they are (but) servants raised to honour. They speak not before He speaks, and they act (in all things) by His Command. He knows what is before them, and what is behind them, and they offer no intercession except for those who are acceptable, and they stand in awe and reverence of His (Glory).”
Cited for
Islam has angels who write down deeds and report to God, just like the Kitchen God.
The response
Islam does speak of angels who write down what people do (82:10-12). The Prophet (ﷺ) said that God (﷾) asks the angels how they left His servants, though He knows everything about them (Bukhari 555). But Islam allows no prayer to the angels, no offerings to them, and no asking them for help. The Qur'an calls them "servants raised to honour", who act only by God's (﷾) command (21:26-27). Every prayer still goes to God (﷾) alone (72:18).
Where it lands — Angels are servants of God (﷾). Islam allows no prayer to them, and every prayer goes to God (﷾).
Qur'an 10:106 — Surat Yunus (Jonas), verse 106
“"'Nor call on any, other than Allah;- Such will neither profit thee nor hurt thee: if thou dost, behold! thou shalt certainly be of those who do wrong.'"”
Cited for
Some Muslims call on the dead too.
The response
Then they break Islam's rule, which is the same for everyone. The Qur'an tells even the Prophet (ﷺ), "Nor call on any, other than Allah" (10:106). Islam is judged by what God (﷾) revealed, and it gives every prayer to God (﷾) alone (72:18).
Where it lands — The rule binds Muslims first. Calling on anyone but God (﷾) goes against it, whoever does it.
Perspectives
Chinese tradition: praying at the temple
Many people visit temples, light incense and ask Mazu, Guan Yu, the god of wealth or other gods for safety, children, health or success. The Kitchen God is honoured at home. Many see this as part of their culture.
The gods have answered my prayers, so they must be able to help.
Rebuttal
Islam does not deny that good came. The Qur'an says every good thing is from God (16:53). He gives freely to all (17:20), so His gifts are not a sign that He accepts every prayer. Thanks belong to Him, and He answers those who call on Him (27:62).
Going to the temple is culture and respect, not worship.
Rebuttal
Islam judges the act, not its name. Calling on anyone for what only God (﷾) can give is worship (1:5), and calling on God (﷾) is itself worship (Tirmidhi 2969). Bowing to the ground is for God (﷾) alone (41:37).
The gods only carry our prayers to Heaven, as the Kitchen God reports on the family.
Rebuttal
The Qur'an answers those who say, "These are our intercessors with Allah" (10:18). God (﷾) already knows everything, and He is close to everyone who calls Him (2:186). A prayer needs no carrier.
Mazu and Guan Yu were good people, so it is right to ask them for help.
Rebuttal
Islam honours good people, and tells Muslims not to revile those whom others call on (6:108). But goodness does not give the power to answer prayer. The Qur'an says those called on besides God (﷾) are servants like us (7:194). Even the nearest to God (﷾) seek a way to Him themselves (17:57).
No one answers; it is chance
Many people without a religion say no one answers prayers, at a temple or anywhere else. What seem like answers are chance and hope.
Prayer comes from people's hopes and fears, and what seem like answers are only chance.
Rebuttal
Islam agrees that the temple gods cannot answer: if you call on them, the Qur'an says, they will not listen. But it does not follow that no one hears. We do not know when, or for whom, God (﷾) answers, or in what way. But the Prophet (ﷺ) said every prayer that asks for nothing sinful is answered in one of three ways. It is granted soon, or kept for the person in the Hereafter, or an equal harm is turned away from him. The Qur'an says He is close and answers the caller. It says people may dislike a thing which is good for them.
The Islamic perspective
God (﷾) alone answers prayer. Those called on besides Him are servants and cannot answer or help. He is close to everyone who calls, and every prayer goes straight to Him.
The Qur'an says that in a storm at sea God (﷾) alone can save. Those called on besides Him fail the caller.
Those called on besides God (﷾) are servants like those who call, and cannot answer or help.
God (﷾) is close, knows all, and answers whoever calls on Him, so no go-between is needed.
Calling on anyone for what only God (﷾) can give is worship. And worship belongs to God (﷾) alone, for Muslims and everyone else.