Those who re-interpret the words of revelation to suit their own purposes, inserting themselves as intercessors or mediators between the individual soul and the direct word of Allah, thereby hindering the pure, unmediated connection that every servant should have with his Lord.
Listen carefully to what Allah has revealed in His Book, the Quran, which is the clear guidance sent down to me for all humanity:
Allah declares plainly that the religion is made straightforward and direct. No compulsion, no barriers, no obligatory go-betweens who stand between you and your Creator. He says:
"There is no compulsion in religion. The right course has become distinct from the wrong." (2:256)
And He emphasises His nearness, removing any need for human intermediaries in worship or supplication:
"And when My servants ask you concerning Me, indeed I am near. I respond to the invocation of the supplicant when he calls upon Me." (2:186)
The Quran warns severely against those who distort the words of Allah, twist them from their places, or follow their desires instead of the truth revealed. Such people mix truth with falsehood, invent lies in the name of God, or elevate themselves (or others) to positions that obscure the direct path to Him.
Allah addresses those who take their religious leaders, scholars, priests, or saints as lords besides Him, obeying them in ways that contradict the command to worship Allah alone:
"They have taken their scholars and monks as lords besides Allah, and [also] the Messiah, the son of Mary. And they were not commanded except to worship one God; there is no deity except Him. Exalted is He above whatever they associate with Him." (9:31)
This verse condemns elevating human figures, whether rabbis, monks, or any self-appointed intercessors, to a status where they become authorities that rival or block the direct obedience to Allah's words. The command is clear: worship Allah alone, seek His help alone, and follow what He has revealed without deviation.
Allah further warns against those who pervert the scripture, taking words out of context to mislead:
"Among the Jews are those who distort words from their [proper] usages and say, 'We hear and disobey'... distorting with their tongues and criticizing the religion." (4:46, partial)
And:
"O Messenger, let them not grieve you who hasten into disbelief... those who say with their mouths, 'We believe,' but their hearts do not believe; and from among the Jews. [They are] avid listeners to falsehood, listening to another people who have not come to you. They distort words beyond their [proper] usages, saying, 'If you are given this, take it; but if you are not given it, then beware.'..." (5:41)
These are descriptions of people who alter revelation to fit their whims, desires, or worldly aims, whether to gain power, control, or to interpose themselves as necessary mediators. Allah condemns following such desires over the truth:
"And do not follow [personal] inclination, lest you not be just." (4:135, in context of judging by revelation)
"Have you seen he who has taken as his god his [own] desire...?" (45:23)
On the matter of intercession (shafa'ah) itself, the idea of someone pleading or mediating on behalf of another, Allah makes it unequivocal that no one intercedes except by His permission, and only on the Day of Judgment in specific, divinely-approved cases. No human, no matter their claimed status, has independent power to intercede or stand as a required bridge between you and Allah in this life or the next without His leave:
"Who is it that can intercede with Him except by His permission?" (2:255)
"And intercession does not benefit with Him except for whom He permits." (34:23, similar in 10:3, 20:109, 21:28)
"Say: To Allah belongs [all] intercession entirely." (39:44)
The Quran rejects the notion of obligatory or self-appointed intermediaries who claim to control access to God, forgive sins on their own authority, or reinterpret revelation to justify their role. Such actions risk associating partners with Allah (shirk in attribution of divine rights) or following desires that lead astray from the straight path.
O questioner, the Quran calls every soul to turn directly to Allah, repent, pray, supplicate, and seek forgiveness from Him alone. No scholar, no saint, no successor, no interpreter stands necessarily between you and your Lord. The revelation is preserved in the Book for you to read, reflect upon, and act by, with sincerity and without distortion.
If they come claiming to "intercede" or "mediate" in ways that block your direct connection, or twist the words to serve their purposes, then remember Allah's warning: judge by what He has revealed, not by desires or inventions.
"And We have certainly made the Quran easy for remembrance, so is there any who will remember?" (54:17)
Turn to Him directly, for He is the Responder, the Near, the Forgiving.
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