Allah in any way.’” Thus Allah’s intimate friend stated that he had no power to help his father against Allah in any way. What, then, of anyone else?

Mujāhid also commented on the words:

“Except one whom the Most Merciful permits and who speaks what is right.”

He said: “He spoke the truth in this world and acted upon it.” This report and the preceding one were narrated by ‘Abd ibn Humayd. It was also reported that ‘Ikrimah explained “and who speaks what is right” by saying: “What is right is the declaration that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah.”

According to Mujāhid’s interpretation, the exception therefore refers to someone who has spoken good words and performed righteous deeds. As for His words in Surah Tā Hā:

“Intercession will be of no benefit except for one whom the Most Merciful permits and whose speech He approves.”

If you understand this verse in the same way as the other, then the intercession here is intercession in its general sense: intercession to secure good things and admission to Paradise. Thus, the two Sahīh collections relate:

“People will be distressed on the Day of Resurrection and will say, ‘Why do we not seek someone to intercede with our Lord so that He may relieve us of standing here?’”

This is a request for intercession so that judgment may be passed between them. The hadith of intercession also states:

“Admit through the right-hand gate those of your community who will not be called to account.”

This is intercession on behalf of the people of Paradise. Hence it has been said that