The Guiding Light — Page 348
S u rah al-Baqarah, Verse 255-258 348 sinful person who is truly connected with him may be granted forgiveness or that, for that matter, a person suffering from some disease or misfortune maybe restored to health or saved from the attending misfortune. In this case “intercession” is really a form of prayer but it makes a stronger appeal and is much more efficacious. For, whereas a prayer is simply a request made to God, ﺷﻔﺎﻋﺔ ( shaf a ‘a h ) intercession is a prayer reinforced by the twofold connection referred to above. The ﺷﻔ ﻴ ﻊ ( shaf i ‘ ) intercessor appeals to God in a special way because: (a) he enjoys God’s special favour, and (b) the person for of whom he intercedes is truly and sincerely connected with him. This twofold connection gives intercession a strength that is lacking in an ordinary prayer. The intercessor, so to speak, says to God “My God, if Thou holdest me dear, then be Thou kind also to this sufferer who is dear to me. ” Such a prayer, if offered with God’s permission, most forcefully moves the mercy of God and is sure of acceptance. (2) Secondly, there is the form of ﺷﻔﺎﻋﺔ ( shaf a ‘a h ) which, though verbal, yet is offered not in the form of a prayer but merely as a simple statement expressive of the relation between the intercessor