protector or intercessor besides Him.” Allah Most High says:
“And warn with it those who fear being gathered before their Lord, for they will have no protector or intercessor besides Him.”
Allah Most High says:
“Who can intercede with Him except by His permission?”
Allah Most High says:
“They say, ‘The Most Merciful has taken a son.’ Glory be to Him! Rather, they are honored servants.
“They do not speak before He does, and they act at His command.
“He knows what lies before them and what lies behind them. They intercede only for those with whom He is pleased, and they tremble in awe of Him.”
Allah Most High says:
“How many angels there are in the heavens whose intercession avails nothing unless Allah first grants permission for whomever He wills and is pleased with.”
Allah Most High says:
“Say, ‘Call upon those whom you claim besides Allah. They possess not even an atom’s weight in the heavens or on earth. They have no share in either, nor does He have any helper among them.’
“Intercession with Him is of no benefit except for one to whom He grants permission.”
Allah Most High says:
“Say, ‘Call upon those whom you claim besides Him. They have no power to remove your affliction or to shift it elsewhere.’
“Those whom they invoke themselves seek a means of drawing near to their Lord, striving to be closest to Him. They hope for His mercy and fear His punishment. Surely your Lord’s punishment is to be feared.”
A group of the early generations said: Some people used to invoke Ezra, the Messiah, and the angels. Allah therefore revealed this verse, explaining that the angels and prophets seek to draw near to Allah, hope for His mercy, and fear His punishment.
Truly upholding Allah’s oneness includes knowing that Allah Most High has established for Himself a right in which no created being shares, such as worship, reliance, fear, reverent awe, and God-consciousness. As Allah Most High says:
“Do not set up another god alongside Allah, lest you be left condemned and forsaken.”
Allah Most High says: “Indeed, We have sent down