In the name of GOD, Most Gracious, Most Merciful There is no other god beside GOD

Home > FAQ >     Search

When people quote human examples to justify Intercession through God’s servants

Question: If you say God teaches us by using examples from our lives, then intercession through God’s servants is definitely justified. We ask them for help because we believe they have better access and are closer to Him. It’s like if we want the President’s approval on something, we have to make a representation through his departments. If we want a private audience, we have to seek an appointment through his secretary.

Answer: In Quran God gives us allegorical and real life examples to learn from, but we have to apply them in the correct context, not misconstrue them to justify our preferences. The example you are using has no basis in Quran. It is not even righteous to compare direct access to God with access to people no matter how much worldly power they may have. With no disrespect to any hierarchy system, people have to work through each other because they have limitations. God does not have any limitations and does not need any intercessors.

God is Omnipresent. You do not need to go somewhere to be in front of God and ask Him for something, because He is already with you, within you and around you wherever you may be. If you need something, just ask right there and there. A President cannot be everywhere at the same time. That is why he needs people to manage his movements for him or represent him in his absence. He and his staff also need to sleep and rest so they cannot meet you at those times as well.

[57:4] …He knows everything that enters into the earth and everything that comes out of it, and everything that comes down from the sky, and everything that climbs into it. He is with you wherever you may be. GOD is Seer of everything you do. [2:255] GOD: there is no other god besides Him, the Living, the Eternal. Never a moment of unawareness or slumber overtakes Him. …

You do not need to wait to get a time allotted to access God while He finishes with someone else. He sees and hears everyone simultaneously, while effortlessly controlling every particle in the universes. The President can barely dialogue with two people at a time and that is why he needs a secretary to allot appointments for him.
[2:255] …His dominion encompasses the heavens and the earth, and ruling them never burdens Him. He is the Most High, the Great. [55:29] Imploring Him is everyone in the heavens and the earth. Every day He is in full control.

God already knows everything. You route things through the President’s staff because they have to first hopefully understand your case, then brief him so he can think about how to deal with your requirement. Then the President may need to consult with other people and may take forever to come to a decision - which may be a bad one. Besides, if the representing person becomes unavailable, your request is held up and you may have to re-present your case. Till that time, the President doesn’t even know you are trying to reach him. With God, your response in instant and He does not need anyone to tell Him what He already knows. As for God’s servants whom you think can intercede; they are dead and unaware. Even when they were alive, they did not have the capability to know everyone’s requirement and true intention, nor had any power to influence God.

[7:197] “As for the idols you set up beside Him, they cannot help you, nor can they help themselves.” [16:20] As for the idols they set up beside GOD, they do not create anything; they themselves were created. [16:21] They are dead, not alive, and they have no idea how or when they will be resurrected.

The reasons can go on. In fact, there is a verse that specifically deals with the example you tried to justify.
[39:3] Absolutely, the religion shall be devoted to GOD alone. Those who set up idols beside Him say, "We idolize them only to bring us closer to GOD; for they are in a better position!" GOD will judge them regarding their disputes. GOD does not guide such liars, disbelievers.

As you can see, God is everywhere and knows everything, so He doesn’t need any assistance in letting you reach Him. But these reasons apart, most of all you should consider that God has commanded you to ask Him directly for anything and everything. Not doing so is actually disobeying Him outright, which should be reason enough for you to stop trying to justify any example of intercession. If the President asked you to call him anytime directly on his hotline, would you still go through his staff and risk his annoyance, or would you call him directly the moment you needed him? In the same way, God is asking you to call upon Him directly and all the time. How’s that for an example using a typical situation in our lives?

[2:186] When My servants ask you about Me, I am always near. I answer their prayers when they pray to Me. The people shall respond to Me and believe in Me, in order to be guided. [40:60] Your Lord says, "Implore Me, and I will respond to you. Surely, those who are too arrogant to worship Me will enter Gehenna, forcibly." [13:14] Imploring Him is the only legitimate supplication, while the idols they implore beside Him cannot ever respond. …

Volunteer Contributor