Abu Hayyan (d 754 AH) on calling upon Anbiya

Allah says in Surah Isra verse 56-57

(56. Say: “Call upon those – besides Him whom you pretend. They have neither the power to remove the adversity from you nor even to shift (it from you to another person).”) (57. Those whom they call upon, desire a means of access to their Lord, as to which of them should be the nearest; and they hope for His mercy and fear His torment. Verily, the torment of your Lord is (something) to be afraid of!)

Abu Hayyan said about Isa and his mother, Ozair (peacebeupon them), Angels, Jinn.

والمعنى أدعوهم فلا يستطيعون أن يكشفوا عنكم. الضر من مرض أو فقر أو عذاب ولا أن يحوّلوه من واحد إلى آخر أو يبدلوه

“And the meaning is: ‘Call upon them, then!’ For they cannot:

– Remove harm from you (كشف الضر)

Whether it be:

– Sickness (مرض)

– Poverty (فقر)

– Punishment (عذاب)

Nor can they:

– Transfer it from one to another (حول من واحد إلى آخر)

– Replace it with something else (يبدلوه)”

(Tafseer al Bhr al Muheet, Surah al Isra verse 56)