The Guiding Light — Page 346
S u rah al-Baqarah, Verse 255-258 346 And another place the Qur’ a n says: Who is he that will intercede with God except by His permission? He knows what is before them and what is behind them; and they encompass nothing of His knowledge except what He pleases (2:256). This verse supplies the reason for the principle adduced in the verse quoted above. God’s permission is necessary because His knowledge alone is perfect and it is only He Who knows whether the twofold connection essential for ﺷﻔﺎﻋﺔ ( shaf a ‘ah) really exists; (1) Whether the holy person wishing to intercede really enjoys the special relation with God required for such intercession. (2) Whether the person for of whom he wishes to intercede is truly and sincerely connected with him. To illustrate the above point, we may well quote an incident in Noah’s life. At the time of great Deluge, he saw that his son had been caught by the surging waves and was going to be drowned. Thereupon he turned to God, saying that the drowning boy was one of his family whom God had promised to save. Upon this God sharply reprimanded him, saying, He is surely not of thy family; he is indeed a