the person to whom the intercessor appeals, because he needs the intercessor and is motivated by hope or fear, just as created beings deal with one another through reciprocal exchange.

The polytheists used to take angels, prophets, and righteous people as intercessors besides Allah. They made images of them and sought intercession through these images, saying:

“These are Allah’s chosen ones. We therefore seek access to Allah by invoking and worshipping them, so that they may intercede for us, just as people seek access to kings through their close associates, who are nearer to them than others. These associates intercede with kings without the kings’ permission. One of them may even intercede with a king in a matter the king would not himself choose, yet the king feels compelled to accept his intercession out of hope or fear.”

Allah rejected this intercession, saying:

“Who is it that can intercede with Him except by His permission?”

And He said:

“And how many angels there are in the heavens whose intercession avails nothing except after Allah has given permission to whom He wills and is pleased with.”

And He said concerning the angels:

“They say, ‘The Most Merciful has taken a son.’ Glory be to Him! Rather, they are honoured servants.”

“They do not precede Him in speech, and they act by His command.”

“He knows what is before them and what is behind them, and they intercede only for those with whom He is pleased, while they stand in awe of Him.”

And He said:

“Say, ‘Call upon those whom you claim besides Allah. They possess not an atom’s weight in the heavens or on earth, nor do they have any share in either, nor does He have any helper from among them.’”

“Intercession with Him benefits none except those to whom He gives permission.”

And the Most High said:

“They worship besides Allah that which neither harms nor benefits them, and they say, ‘These are our intercessors with Allah.’ Say, ‘Do you inform Allah of something He does not know in the heavens or on earth?’ Glory be to Him, and exalted is He above what they associate with Him!”

And the Most High said:

“Warn with it those who fear being gathered before their Lord: they will have neither a protector nor an intercessor besides Him, so that they may become mindful of Him.”

And the Most High said:

“Allah is the One who created the heavens and the earth and everything between them in six days, then rose above the Throne. You have neither a protector nor an intercessor besides Him. Will you not then take heed?”