Tafsir of An-Najm 53:24-25

{ Or does man have what he wishes? }

This is the am (or) of disconnection (munqatiʿah), and the meaning of the hamzah within it is one of denial.

That is: Man does not have what he wishes. The intended meaning is their greed for the intercession of their idols, which is a wish directed toward God that is utterly far-fetched.

It is also said: It refers to their saying, { "And if I am returned to my Lord, indeed, I will have with Him the best" } (Fussilat: 50).

It is also said: It is the statement of al-Walid ibn al-Mughirah, "I shall surely be given wealth and children."

It is also said: It is the wish of some of them that they themselves were the Prophet, peace be upon him.

{ To God belongs the Hereafter and the first [life]. }

Meaning: He is the Owner of both. He grants from them to whom He wills and withholds from whom He wills, and no one has the authority to dictate to Him regarding anything within them.

{ And how many an angel there is in the heavens whose intercession will not avail at all, except after God has permitted [it] to whom He wills and approves. }