۞ وَكَم مِّن مَّلَكٍ فِى ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ لَا تُغْنِى شَفَـٰعَتُهُمْ شَيْـًٔا إِلَّا مِنۢ بَعْدِ أَن يَأْذَنَ ٱللَّهُ لِمَن يَشَآءُ وَيَرْضَىٰٓ 26
Translations
And how many angels there are in the heavens whose intercession will not avail at all except [only] after Allāh has permitted [it] to whom He wills and approves.
Transliteration
Wa-kam min malak fi as-samawati la tughnee shafaatuhum shayaan illa min ba'da an ya'dhana Allahu liman yasha'u wa yardha
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah establishes that despite the countless angels in the heavens, their intercession (shafaah) is utterly powerless and worthless except by Allah's permission for whom He wills and is pleased with. The scholars, including Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi, emphasize that this refutes the pagan Arab belief that angels could intercede independently, clarifying that all intercession is contingent upon Allah's sovereign will and approval, and only those whom Allah permits and is satisfied with can intercede.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of Surah An-Najm's broader context addressing false beliefs of the Quraysh regarding idolatry and intercession. The surah was revealed in Mecca to counter the polytheistic notion that angels and idols could intercede with Allah on their behalf, establishing monotheistic principles about Allah's absolute authority and exclusive right to grant permission for intercession.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'Whoever dies associating partners with Allah will enter the Fire' (Sahih Muslim 93). Also relevant: The hadith on intercession in Sahih Bukhari where the Prophet clarifies that intercession on the Day of Judgment will only occur by Allah's permission.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that no created being—regardless of their status, power, or closeness to Allah—has independent authority or efficacy; all power belongs to Allah alone, and believers should place their trust solely in Him rather than seeking intermediaries.