It is, in essence, mediating on behalf of another so as to secure a benefit or ward off harm. Everyone knows that, no matter how mighty the rulers of this world may be, people still intercede with them without first seeking leave; indeed, the great king’s own wife will present an intercession to him without asking permission. With Allah, however, no one may intercede unless He grants permission. Even the most honored of His servants do not intercede except by the leave of Allah. This points to the perfection of His sovereignty: none can so much as speak in His presence—let alone offer the good of intercession—without His authorization.

The most honored human being before Allah is Muhammad ﷺ, yet on the Day of Resurrection he will not be able to intercede until he first seeks Allah’s permission. He will then fall in prolonged prostration, whereupon Allah will inspire him with praises never before uttered; only then will he intercede. If this is the case for him, then it follows all the more that no one else can intercede except with Allah’s permission. Why? Because His dominion and authority are absolute.

“He knows what lies before them and what is behind them.” Allah knows everything “that lies before them”–all future events–and everything “that is behind them”–all past events. This demonstrates the perfection of His knowledge and that He encompasses all things past, present, and future. Whatever is ahead of you is what you are yet to encounter, even if only a moment away; whatever is behind you is what has already passed, even if only a moment ago. For example, our conversation held after the ʿAsr prayer today—is it before us or behind us? It is behind us, whereas the words I am speaking now belong to the present.