For this wording has no parallel in the Quran. The wording used in such a case would be: “Those whom they invoke possess no power of intercession except by His permission,” or “for those with whom He is pleased,” or something similar. The expression “independently of Him” is not used in this sense, for intercession comes from Him. How, then, could it be independent of Him? It may, however, be with His permission or without His permission.

Moreover, if “those whom they invoke” is stated without qualification, it includes the Lord Most High, for they used to invoke Allah and invoke others alongside Him. Hence His words:

“And those who do not invoke another god alongside Allah.”

The third possible construction is: “Those whom they invoke besides Him possess no power of intercession independently of Him.” This is better than the preceding reading, but it is subject to the same objection as the first.

Another point that weakens both readings is that “intercession” is not followed by any qualifying phrase. Rather, He says:

“Those whom they invoke besides Him possess no power of intercession.”

He thus denies without qualification that they possess the power of intercession. This is the correct understanding: none of those invoked besides Allah possesses the power of intercession. For the owner of a thing is the one who disposes of it by his own will and power, whereas no one intercedes with the Lord Most High except by His permission. Thus, no created being possesses the power of intercession under any circumstances. The qualification “except by His permission” does not apply to this possession; it applies only to the act itself. Hence the words:

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