Some Hidden Pearls — Page 118
a kind of prayer and a petition. But, as compared with ordinary prayer and supplication, it stands on a much higher level. . Literally the word shafa'at carries a basic sense which refers to some essential affinity between two things or two persons. He who stands up in ordinary prayer stands up basically in the position of a supplicator and a beggar. But the man who puts up a shafa'at, does so on the basis of the special bond between him and his Master and Creator; in fact he joins himself to Allah in a bond of bond of union, and in that position of nearness begs for a favour. Thus between prayer and shafa'at there is a world of difference. That is why shafa'at is not allowed without prior permission to that effect. For, when some chosen one of Allah, on the basis of the special bond between him and his Creator in the name of that bond, by way of shafa'at, begs for something, divine love and affection, and solicitude for His servant, are stirred to an unusual extent and depth; and on account of the regard which 118