his false claim, so that no one will remain who claims for himself or anyone else a share alongside Allah in His lordship or divinity. This is unlike this world: although there is no Lord or God but Him, others have been taken as lords and gods, and people have made such claims.

In this world, a person intercedes with another, and someone benefits from his intercession even though he has not been given permission to intercede. A close friend may come to someone’s aid, and a person may ransom himself from harm. Thus, people and wealth can bring benefit in this world: people may benefit others either independently or by assisting them—which is intercession—while wealth may benefit them through ransom. Allah has negated all three of these forms.

He, the Exalted, says:

“No soul will avail another in any way, nor will intercession be accepted from it, nor will a ransom be taken from it.”

And He says:

“There will be no trade, no friendship, and no intercession.”

Likewise, He says:

“No father will avail his child, nor will a child avail his father in any way.”

Such, then, is the matter, and Allah knows best. Thus, the intercession that Allah has negated ultimately relates to establishing the two foundations of faith: belief in Allah and in the Last Day—Allah’s oneness and the return to Him. He has paired these in many passages, as in His statement:

“Among the people are those who say, ‘We believe in Allah and in the Last Day.’”

And His statement:

“Those who, when a calamity befalls them, say, ‘Indeed, we belong to Allah, and indeed, to Him we will return.’”

And His statement:

“Your creation and your resurrection are only like that of a single soul.”

And His statement:

“You were lifeless, and He gave you life; then He will cause you to die, then bring you back to life, and then to Him you will be returned.”

And other passages like these.