Since no one can intercede with Allah except by His permission, and they intercede only for those He approves, intercessors are not partners with Him, unlike intercession by one created being with another. A created being may receive intercession from an equal—or someone above or below him—without having given the intercessor permission.

The one petitioned is bound to accept the intercession: either because he desires the intercessor’s favour, or seeks the benefit of some power or means at his disposal through which he can help him or avert what he fears; because he fears him; because he loves him; because of their mutual exchange of favours and assistance; or for some other reason.

It is the intercessor’s intervention that moves the will of the one petitioned, making him wish to grant the intercession when previously he had not wished to do so. This is like a command that influences the person commanded, so that he carries it out when previously he had not intended to do so. Likewise, a request made by one created being to another may move the latter to do what is asked of him.

Thus, just as the intercessor joins the person seeking his intercession in making the request, he also joins the one being petitioned: through his intercession, the latter comes to carry out what is requested. He has thus joined both the petitioner and the one petitioned. But Allah Most High is One, without a second; no one can make Him one of a pair. Thus no one intercedes with Him except by His permission.