Intercession (Shafa’a) is a topic that is to do with our Imaan and it has certain divine pre-requisites before it can be understood and appreciated. Many deviants from Ahlul-Bida use the blessing of intercession loosely without any juristic control over it. Whereby some people will boast that they are Ulemah, Haafiz-ul-Quran, Saaliheen, Sideeqeen, physically (and externally) died a death of a Shaheed then they are guaranteed the power of interceding for others in the hereafter. They even believe that by placing a verse of the Quran or even the entire Quran in the grave of the dead body it would ease the suffering, help and intercede for the deceased. These people are ignorant from the Haq of Shafa’a. The ignoramus have also falsely claimed that the dead can intercede for you and periodically go to the graves (shrines) of so called “saints” and ask them to act as the agent between you and Allah (swt) thinking they are closer to Allah (swt). This closeness they equate it to making it more likely to have something granted than return empty handed.
These unacceptable beliefs regarding Shafa’a have led to a simple but concise explanation about the Islaamic rules and regulations pertaining to Shafa’a.
1.Only the Fadl of Allah (swt) makes the Shafa’a possible. The misconception is that if you are a Shaheed, Prophet, Child, Animal, or a Disabled person then you can automatically intercede for people.
But Allah (swt) chooses for His Mercy whom he wills. And Allah is the owner of Great Bounty [EMQ 2:105]
And,
He selects for His Mercy whom he wills and Allah is the owner of Great Bounty [EMQ 3:74]
2.Allah (swt) will never give the privilege of intercession to someone who has committed Shirk i.e. taken some of the names and attributes of Allah (swt) and applied them to others, or has become a Murtad (apostate) or one who is a Kaafir (disbeliever).
And we shall drive the Mujrimoon (polytheists, sinners, criminals, disbelievers in the oneness of Allah (swt) etc.) to Hell, in a thirsty state (like a thirst herd driven down to water) [EMQ 19:86]
None shall have the power of intercession, but such a one as has received permission (or promise) from the Most Beneficent (Allah). [EMQ 19:87]
Also Allah (swt) says:
And Warn them (Oh Muhammad (saw)) of the Day that is (ever) drawing near (i.e. Day of Resurrection), when the hearts will be choking the throats, and they can neither return them (hearts) to their chests nor can they throw them out. There will be no friend, nor an intercessor for the Zalimoon (polytheists, wrongdoers etc.), who could be given heed to.[EMQ 40:18]
3.The acceptance of any intercession is subjective to the will of Allah (swt).
On that day no intercession will avail, except the one whom for whom the Most Beneficent (Allah) has given permission and whose word is acceptable to Him. [EMQ 20:109]
4.The only acceptable intercession is the one that is conducted by those chosen by Allah (swt) i.e. the designated intercessors.
And there are many Angels in the heavens, whose intercession will avail nothing except after Allah has given leave for whom He wills and pleases. [EMQ 53:26]
The above four divine Sharts (conditions) are the backbone of the topic of Shafa’a. However the topic is vast and has many other facets that will be covered in the future inshallah. May Allah (swt) accept this humble effort regarding this important subject and may we supplicate to Him (swt) exclusively, directly and without associating an intermediary between us and Him (swt) (i.e. no middle man).
And when my slaves ask you (Oh Muhammad (saw)) concerning me, then (answer them), I am indeed near (to them by my knowledge). I respond to the invocations of the supplicant when he calls on Me (without any mediator or intercessor). So let them obey Me and believe in Me, so that they may be led aright. [EMQ 2:186]
Show/Hide comments
Show/Hide comment form