Him, as do the angels and those endowed with knowledge; He upholds justice. There is no deity worthy of worship except Him, the Almighty, the All-Wise.”

When they bear witness knowingly, they are among those entitled to intercession, both as intercessors and as those for whom intercession is made. For believers who affirm Allah’s oneness intercede for one another, as established in authentic hadiths.

Thus, in the lengthy hadith concerning divine manifestation and intercession, recorded in both Sahīh collections, Abū Saʿīd al-Khudrī, may Allah be pleased with him, reports that the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said:

“Once the believers have been delivered from the Fire—by Him in Whose hand is my soul, none of you pleads more earnestly with Allah to secure his rights than the believers will plead with Allah on the Day of Resurrection for their brothers who are in the Fire. They will say, ‘Our Lord, they used to fast with us, pray, and perform the pilgrimage.’ They will be told, ‘Bring out those whom you recognize.’ Their forms will then be protected from the Fire.”

He then related the remainder of the hadith.

The reported occasion of the verse’s revelation also supports what he stated. Abū al-Faraj Ibn al-Jawzī said:

“The occasion of its revelation was that al-Nadr ibn al-Hārith and a group with him said, ‘If what Muhammad says is true, then we shall take the angels as our patrons, for they are more entitled to intercede than Muhammad.’ Then this verse was revealed. This was reported by Muqātil.”