Explanation of the author's statement: And Ibn Qutaybah said: (They say: This is by the intercession of our gods).
Machine translationRead the Arabic original
The Shaykh :"And Ibn Qutaybah said: They say this is by the intercession of our gods", I seek refuge in Allah. These people are more wicked than the former ones. They say, "This is by the intercession of our gods." These are mushrikin (associators with Allah). They worship other than Allah, and then they claim that the blessings they received are due to the intercession of their idols. They say, "Al-Lat interceded with Allah for rain to be sent down, so it came down. Al-Uzza interceded with Allah for rain to be sent down, so it came down." They claim that these blessings are by the intercession of their gods. Why do they say "by our gods"? Because they do not deny tawhid al-rububiyyah (oneness of lordship), but they claim intercession from them. However, we say: These people have affirmed a false cause while being mushrikin, and this cause they affirmed is among the most false of causes, for Allah (Mighty and Majestic) does not accept the intercession of their gods. Allah the Exalted said: [Taha 20:109] And Allah (Mighty and Majestic) does not permit these idols to intercede for their worshippers. Yes.
The student: If a person dies upon minor shirk (associating partners with Allah), does Allah (Mighty and Majestic) forgive it...?
The Shaykh : There is a difference of opinion among the scholars regarding this. The Shaykh al-Islam says that Allah does not forgive it, based on the generality of His saying:[An-Nisa 4:48]. Some scholars say that the shirk mentioned in the verse refers to major shirk. In any case, the mushrik, even if it is minor shirk, is in danger. However, minor shirk is greater than major sins. As Ibn Mas'ud said: "For me, swearing a false oath by Allah is more desirable than swearing a true oath by other than Him"
The student: The verse about... intercession, is it not specific to the Day of Resurrection?
The Shaykh : Yes, indeed.[Al-Baqarah 2:255] It is not possible... it is general.
The student: ...
The Shaykh : By Allah, when I look at the generality of the verse[An-Nisa 4:48], the opinion of the Shaykh (may Allah have mercy on him) is more probable to me. And when I look at the fact that this is less than major shirk, because Allah said: [An-Nisa 4:116], and in the other verse He said: [An-Nisa 4:48], this indicates that the shirk intended is major shirk. So I say: The one who commits minor shirk is in danger, and it is obligatory for him to repent. Yes.
He says: "And he said: They say this is by the intercession of our gods". So this is more false than what came before it, because it contains two dangers: affirming an incorrect cause, and the second is shirk with these idols. And this is among the most false of statements.
That Day, no intercession will benefit except [that of] one to whom the Most Merciful has given permission and has accepted his word.
يومئذٍ لا تنفع الشفاعة إلا من أذن له الرحمن ورضي له قولاThe student: If a person dies upon minor shirk (associating partners with Allah), does Allah (Mighty and Majestic) forgive it...?
The Shaykh : There is a difference of opinion among the scholars regarding this. The Shaykh al-Islam says that Allah does not forgive it, based on the generality of His saying:
Indeed, Allah does not forgive association with Him
إن الله لا يغفر أن يشرك بهThe student: The verse about... intercession, is it not specific to the Day of Resurrection?
The Shaykh : Yes, indeed.
Who is it that can intercede with Him except by His permission?
من ذا الذي يشفع عنده إلا بإذنهThe student: ...
The Shaykh : By Allah, when I look at the generality of the verse
Indeed, Allah does not forgive association with Him
إن الله لا يغفر أن يشرك بهIndeed, Allah does not forgive association with Him, but He forgives what is less than that for whom He wills. And he who associates others with Allah has certainly gone far astray.
إن الله لا يغفر أن يشرك به ويغفر ما دون ذلك لمن يشاء، ومن يشرك بالله فقد ضل ضلالا بعيداAnd he who associates others with Allah has certainly fabricated a tremendous sin.
ومن يشرك بالله فقد افترى إثما عظيماHe says: "And he said: They say this is by the intercession of our gods". So this is more false than what came before it, because it contains two dangers: affirming an incorrect cause, and the second is shirk with these idols. And this is among the most false of statements.