in fear of Him.”

The Almighty also says: “How many an angel there is in the heavens whose intercession will be of no avail whatsoever, until after Allah gives permission for whom He wills and is pleased with” (53:26).

And He says: “Say, ‘Call upon those you claim besides Allah. They do not own even an atom’s weight in the heavens or on earth; they have no share in either, nor is any support forthcoming to Him from among them. Intercession is of no benefit with Him except for the one to whom He grants permission’” (34:22–23).

He, exalted be He, further says: “Say, ‘Invoke those you allege apart from Him; they have no power to remove affliction from you nor to shift it elsewhere. Those whom they invoke are themselves seeking a means of nearness to their Lord—which of them will be closest—hoping for His mercy and fearing His punishment; indeed, your Lord’s punishment is something to beware of’” (17:56–57).

A group of the early generations said: Certain people used to call upon Ezra, the Messiah, and the angels, so Allah revealed this verse to clarify that the angels and the prophets themselves seek to draw near to Allah, hope for His mercy, and fear His punishment.