they invoke besides Him to intercede.” He then says:

“Except those who bear witness to the truth while they know.”

Here He stipulates both conditions: that the Most Merciful grant the person permission and that he speak rightly. The exception encompasses the action expressed by the verbal noun in relation to both its agent and its object. This is like saying, “Sowing is beneficial only at its proper time.” This encompasses both sowing by the cultivator and the sowing of the land. Here, however, He says:

“Except one to whom the Most Merciful gives permission.”

The exception has no expressly stated antecedent class, for no class from which this person is excepted has been mentioned beforehand. He merely says:

“Intercession benefits none except one to whom the Most Merciful gives permission.”

If nothing is understood to have been omitted, the meaning is that intercession benefits none except this category of people, for they do benefit from intercession. The meaning would thus be that it benefits both the intercessor and the one on whose behalf intercession is made.

If, however, an omission is understood, the implied wording being, “Intercession is of no benefit except the intercession of those to whom the Most Merciful gives permission,” then the verbal noun is attributed to both categories, each according to its respective role: to some because they intercede, and to others because intercession is made on their behalf. This would be like His words:

“But righteousness is one who believes in Allah”—that is, one who believes.

And:

“The likeness of those who disbelieve is that of one who calls out.”

That is, the likeness of one who calls the disbelievers is that of one who calls out; or the likeness of the disbelievers is that of one being called to—that is, one to whom the call is directed. In all these instances, the meaning is clear and understood. Hence, expressing it concisely rather than at length is among the most eloquent forms of speech.