Surah Maryam 19:87
ﲔ ﲕ ﲖ ﲗ ﲘ ﲙ ﲚ ﲛ ﲜ
None will have [power of] intercession except he who had taken from the Most Merciful a covenant.
Tafsir of Maryam 19:87
Tafsir
Al-Kashshaf
Verse range: 19:87
Maryam: 87 **"They possess no intercession..."**
If the waw in {la yamlikuna} (they do not possess) is considered a pronoun, it refers to the servants, indicated by the mention of the righteous and the criminals, as they fall into these two categories.
It is also permissible for it to be a sign of the plural, like the one in the phrase "akhaluni al-baraghith" (the fleas ate me). In this case, the subject is {man ittakhadha} (whoever has taken), because it carries the meaning of a plural.
The position of {man ittakhadha} is nominative, either as a substitute (badal) or as the agent (fa'il). It is also permissible for it to be accusative, assuming the omission of a genitive construction (mudaf), meaning: "except for the intercession of whoever has taken..."
The intended meaning is: They do not possess the ability to intercede for them.
"Taking a covenant" (ittikhadh al-'ahd) means seeking support through faith and deeds. It is narrated from Ibn Mas'ud that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said to his companions one day:
"Is one of you unable to take a covenant with Allah every morning and evening?" They asked, "How is that?" He replied, "Say every morning and evening: 'O Allah, Creator of the heavens and the earth, Knower of the unseen and the seen, I make a covenant with You that I bear witness that there is no god but You, alone with no partner, and that Muhammad is Your servant and messenger. And that if You leave me to myself, You bring me closer to evil and distance me from good. And I trust only in Your mercy, so grant me a covenant with You that You will fulfill for me on the Day of Resurrection; indeed, You do not break Your promise.' When he says this, it is sealed with a seal and placed under the Throne. On the Day of Resurrection, a caller will cry out: 'Where are those who have a covenant with the Most Merciful?' Then they will enter Paradise."
It has also been said: It refers to the word of testimony (kalimat al-shahada).
Or, it may be derived from the expression "The commander made a covenant with so-and-so regarding such-and-such" when he commands him to do it. That is: No one shall intercede except the one who has been commanded to intercede and has been granted permission for it.
This is supported by other places in the Revelation:
- {And how many angels there are in the heavens whose intercession will not avail at all except [only] after Allah has permitted [it] to whom He wills and approves} (An-Najm: 26).
- {And intercession does not benefit with Him except for one whom He permits} (Saba': 23).
- {That Day, no intercession will benefit [anyone] except [for] one to whom the Most Merciful has given permission and has accepted his word} (Ta-Ha: 109).
{And they say, "The Most Merciful has taken [for Himself] a son." You have done an atrocious thing. The heavens almost rupture therefrom and the earth splits open and the mountains collapse in devastation, that they attribute to the Most Merciful a son.}