the polytheists affirmed a form of intercession that constitutes associating partners with Allah: the intercession of one created being with another, as when the intimates of kings intercede with them because kings need their assistance. They therefore petition kings without their permission, and the kings grant their requests because they need them. Those who affirm such intercession with Allah Most High are polytheists and disbelievers, for no one intercedes with Allah Most High except by His permission, and He has no need of any of His creation. Rather, His answering the supplications of intercessors is an expression of His mercy and kindness. He, glorified be He, is more merciful to His servants than a mother is to her child.

For this reason, Allah Most High says:

“You have no protector or intercessor besides Him.”

He also says:

“Warn with it those who fear being gathered before their Lord: they will have no protector or intercessor besides Him.”

Allah Most High also says:

“Or have they taken intercessors besides Allah? Say, ‘Even though they possess nothing and have no understanding?’”

“Say, ‘All intercession belongs to Allah.’”

Allah Most High also relates the words of the man mentioned in Surah Yā Sīn:

“Should I take gods besides Him? If the Most Merciful intends harm for me, their intercession will be of no benefit to me, nor can they save me.”

“Indeed, I would then be clearly astray.”

“Indeed, I have believed in your Lord, so listen to me.”

As for the Kharijites and Mu'tazilites, they denied our Prophet’s intercession—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—for those of his community who committed major sins. They are misguided innovators who oppose the widely transmitted Sunnah of the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, and the consensus of the best generations.

The third category consists of Ahl al-Sunnah wa-l-Jamā'ah—the people of the Sunnah and the community. They are the early generations of this community, its leading scholars, and those who followed them in righteousness. They affirmed what Allah affirmed in His Book and in the Sunnah of His Messenger