Isn't it permissible in Islam to invoke Muhammad in prayer for intercession, as he taught his followers to do?

The Quran explicitly states that supplication (du'a) is a form of worship that should be directed only to Allah (Quran 40:60). Muhammad himself affirmed this principle, indicating that the essence of worship lies in calling upon Allah alone. The hadiths cited by some Muslims to justify invoking Muhammad for intercession must be understood in the broader context of Islamic teachings. While these hadiths exist, they do not align with the fundamental tenet of Tawhid, the oneness of God, which prohibits associating partners with Allah in worship. Additionally, the practice of invoking Muhammad after his death raises significant theological concerns, as it implies a form of worship that contradicts the finality of prophethood and the direct relationship believers are meant to have with Allah. Therefore, while some may attempt to justify this practice through specific hadiths, it ultimately undermines the foundational principles of Islamic monotheism.