yes I have thought and thought a lot
The idea of Islam is this - there is a unifying commonality between all Muslims - that of the belief in the Oneness of Allah and that the Beloved Prophet (PBUH) is his Messenger. The rest is open between certain prescribed limits.
There are deep social reasons for that - at its very basic, Islam seeks to make better versions of humans, whatever way they want. For that, Islam brings a two-fold symmetry to any human dynamic - that of a top-down-trickle and through strengthening of the soul. The society is weak, if individuals are weak, and weak individuals make a weak society.
Now, within that society, certain norms have to be established - why drive on the left side of the road? Why have signals? Why have speed limits? Why have zebra crossings? If we accept that a simple day to day activity like walking across a road, or driving a car, needs regulation, then why don't we accept regulations or advice in other spheres of life? Like eating? (Which we accept if it comes from an influencer!) Inheritance? Relationships of parents and siblings and neighbours? Why can't there be religious regulations there? And also - regulations regularly change, depending on the popular will. So what was unacceptable a few decades ago, becomes acceptable now. To some extent that is social evolution, but what if it becomes ok to mistreat your parents? Don't wince, that can happen.
Hence, some truths are held to be self evident, as the constitution of the USA said. The same way the Truths that Islam establishes, are mainly those that are held to be self evident.
That's why, it's not ok to worship things which are associated with God, and not God himself since that is expressly forbidden.