The Holy Quran with Five Volume Commentary (Vol 1) — Page 128
CH. 2 AL-BAQARAH sinners whose faith at least is sound, i. e. their (faith) is true and well- founded; only in a (practice) they sometimes show weakness. At another place the Quran 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 acl really exists, i. e. (1) whether the holy person wishing to intercede really enjoys the special relation with God required for such intercession and, (2) whether the person for whom he wishes to intercede is truly and sincerely connected with him. PT. 1 moment of great uneasiness of mind Noah interceded for his son with God but forgot to ask for His permission, whereupon God reminded him that though the boy was his son in the physical sense, he was not one in the true spiritual sense and was therefore not entitled to acl which has its basis in spiritual kinship. Having briefly explained the nature and conditions of acles, we now come to the question: How many forms of care there? A study of the relevant Quranic verses and of the attendant facts reveals that acle is of three kinds: (1) Firstly, there is the verbal acti which has been interpreted as "intercession". In this form of acles a holy person actually prays to God on the basis of his special connection with Him that a sinful person who is truly connected with him may be granted forgiveness or that, for that matter, a person suffering from some To illustrate the above point, we disease or misfortune may be restored may well quote an incident in Noah's to health or saved from the attending life. At the time of the great Deluge, misfortune. In this case "intercession" he saw that his son had been caught is really a form of prayer but it makes by the surging waves and was going a stronger appeal and is much more to be drowned. Thereupon he turned efficacious. For, whereas a prayer is to God, saying that the drowning boy simply a request made to God, aclé was one of his family whom God had (intercession) is a prayer reinforced promised to save. Upon this God by the twofold connection referred to sharply reprimanded him, saying, He above. The (intercessor) appeals is surely not of thy family; he is to God in a special way because (a) indeed a man of unrighteous conduct. he enjoys God's special favour, and So ask not of Me that of which thou (b) the person for whom he intercedes hast no knowledge. I advise thee lest is truly and sincerely connected with thou become one of the ignorant him. This twofold connection gives (11:47). This verse beautifully intercession a strength that is lacking illustrates the philosophy of act. In a | in an ordinary prayer. The intercessor, 128