Does the first fatwa regarding the permissibility of intercession for employment contradict the second fatwa which differentiates between the public and private sectors? Are the examples mentioned by Sheikh Zaid Al-Ghannam for good intercession correct? Is it permissible for the intercessor and the interceded-for to show preference in intercession, and to what extent is the Sheikh's argumentation for that valid?

There is no contradiction between the two fatwas mentioned, because the first is general, with the criterion of intercession to obtain a job, while the second differentiates between private and public institutions. Intercession is permissible in the former, where the right belongs to the employer, and forbidden in the latter if it prioritizes the less qualified over the more qualified, unless there is no competition and the intercessor knows the qualifications of the person for whom intercession is made.

Good intercessions, such as appointment to a job or admission to studies, are valid but general and have their own regulations.

The issue of not being obligated to be fair between those for whom intercession is made by the intercessor or the one interceded with is correct.