the intercessor, nor the one on whose behalf intercession is made, nor the one to whom it is addressed. If the intercessor and the one on whose behalf intercession is made knew that it would be rejected, they would not pursue it.

Accepted intercession is that which brings benefit. He makes this clear in such statements as:

“Intercession will not benefit anyone with Him except those for whom He gives permission.”

And:

“On that Day, intercession will not benefit anyone except one to whom the Most Merciful gives permission and whose words He approves.”

He thus ruled out unrestricted intercession and made clear that intercession brings no benefit with Him except for those for whom He gives permission. This is permission under His revealed law, meaning that He allows and authorizes it, as in His words:

“Permission to fight has been given to those who are being fought, because they have been wronged.”

And:

“Do not enter the Prophet’s houses unless permission is given to you.”

And:

“Let those whom your right hands possess ask your permission.”

There are other similar examples. His words, “except those for whom He gives permission,” refer to permission concerning the one on whose behalf intercession is made. He does not give anyone permission to intercede without restriction. Rather, He permits them to intercede only for those on whose behalf He has authorized them to intercede. Allah Most High says:

“On that Day, they will follow the caller without deviation, and voices will be hushed before the Most Merciful, so you will hear nothing but a whisper. On that Day, intercession will not benefit anyone except one to whom the Most Merciful gives permission and whose words He approves.”

There are two interpretations of this. According to one, it means: except the intercession of one to whom the Most Merciful gives permission. According to the other, it means: intercession will benefit only one for whom the Most Merciful gives permission; he is the one who benefits from intercession. This is the interpretation given by a group of Quran commentators, who mention no other.