…besides Allah: they possess not even an atom’s weight in the heavens or on the earth, nor have they any share therein, nor is He supported by any of them. No intercession will avail with Him except for those to whom He grants permission.” (34:22–23)

The Exalted also says:

“And how many an angel there is in the heavens whose intercession is of no benefit at all unless, after Allah gives leave, He grants permission to whomever He wills and is pleased with.” (53:26)

Thus the intercession that the Qur’an dismisses is precisely what the Arab idol-worshippers and their likes among the polytheists claimed. It is the same kind of shirk found among the Christians and among certain misguided people who profess Islam: they imagine that the angels, the prophets, or the revered shaykhs are their intercessors with Allah, in the same way that courtiers intercede with earthly kings. They draw a false analogy, saying: “When one wishes to approach a great king, he should not go to him directly; rather, he must first seek the favour of the king’s intimates, who will convey his needs and bring him near.” Allah, Exalted is He, says:

“Those who have taken patrons apart from Him say, ‘We worship them only so that they may bring us nearer to Allah.’” (39:3)

That is, they say: We worship them solely to draw us close to Allah. The Most High mentions this immediately after His words:

“The revelation of the Book is from Allah, the Almighty, the All-Wise. Indeed, We have sent down to you the Book in truth; so worship Allah, devoting the religion purely to Him. Those who take patrons apart from Him say, ‘We worship them only so that they may bring us nearer to Allah.’ Surely Allah will judge between them concerning that over which they differ. Indeed, Allah does not guide the one who is a liar, an ingrate.” (39:1–3)

And in the same surah He says:

“Is Allah not sufficient for His servant? Yet they frighten you with those they invoke apart from Him. Whoever Allah leads astray has no guide, and whoever Allah guides none can mislead. Is Allah not Mighty, Possessor of Retribution? If you were to ask them, ‘Who created the heavens and the earth?’ they would surely say, ‘Allah.’ Say: ‘Have you considered those you invoke apart from Allah? If Allah intended me harm, could they remove His harm? Or if He intended mercy for me, could they withhold His mercy?’ Say, ‘Allah is sufficient for me; in Him put their trust those who trust.’” (39:36–38)

He also says in this surah: “Say: I have been commanded to worship Allah, devoting the religion purely to Him…” (39:11)