is attained through these practices, which involve associating partners with Allah or consist entirely of such association, as the polytheists of old supposed. Christians likewise suppose this, as do those who have gone astray among people who profess Islam: they invoke someone other than Allah, make pilgrimages to his grave or a place associated with him, make vows to him, and swear by him. They imagine that, through these acts, he becomes an intercessor for them. Allah Most High says:

“Say: Call upon those whom you claim besides Him. They have no power to remove harm from you or to transfer it elsewhere.”

“Those whom they invoke themselves seek a means of drawing near to their Lord, vying to be nearest to Him. They hope for His mercy and fear His punishment. Indeed, your Lord’s punishment is ever to be feared.”

A group of the early generations said: There were people who worshipped the Messiah, Ezra, and the angels. Allah explained that these had no power to remove harm from them or to transfer it elsewhere, just as He explained that they did not possess the power of intercession. There is no exception to this, even though Allah answers their supplications. Then He said:

“Those whom they invoke themselves seek a means of drawing near to their Lord, vying to be nearest to Him. They hope for His mercy and fear His punishment. Indeed, your Lord’s punishment is ever to be feared.”

Thus, He explained that these supposed deities whom they invoke besides Allah hoped for Allah’s mercy, feared His punishment, and sought to draw near to Him through righteous deeds, like all His other believing servants. Allah Most High also says:

“Nor would he command you to take the angels and prophets as lords. Would he command you to disbelieve after you have submitted to Allah?”

People hold various misguided beliefs concerning intercession, which have been discussed at length elsewhere.