Shafa’at, Intercession

Interceding Personalities

(1) Prophet Of Islam (S)

The status of our Prophet is such that the creation and existence of World and its end depends on him. Allah (s.w.t.) has addressed him in Surah Zoha : verse 5

“And soon will your Lord give you so that you shall be well pleased.”

In Surah Bani Israel : verse 79,

“Maybe your Lord will raise you to a position of great glory.”

In Surah Nisa, Verse 63 and Surah Maryam, Verse 78, Surah Zukhruf, Verse 86, Surah Munafequn, Verse 5, it is evident from above verses that Holy Prophet (S) is the intercessor on the day of judgement.

(2) Hazrat Ameerul Momeneen ‘Ali (a.s.)

Holy Prophet (S) has said thus,

“Without doubt on the day of judgement I will intercede and it will be accepted, ‘Ali (a.s.) will do intercession and it will also be accepted.”

Imam ‘Ali (a.s.) himself has said:

“Surely we will intercede and also those who love us will intercede.”

(3) Hazrat Fatemah Zahra (s.a.)

She will be the third personalities who will intercede as the Holy Prophet (S) has said:

“Whichever lady prays five times a day, and fast for the Month of Ramazan, performs Hajj, pays Zakaat and obeys her husband and loves ‘Ali after my death she will enter Heaven by my daughter Fatemah Zahra (s.a.).”[^1]

(4) Progeny Of The Holy Prophet (S)

Holy Prophet (S) has said

“My progeny will intercede and their intercession will be accepted.”

He also said:

“Intercession is of five types …… Firstly your prophet and secondly progeny of your prophet will also intercede.”

(5) Prophets (a.s.)

Following verses from Qur’an indicate their intercession Surah Ambiya : verses 26-28, Surah Zukhruf : verse 86, even Holy Prophet (S) said:

“All the prophets will intercede for those who have borne witness with sincerity there is no god but Allah.”

(6) Angels

It is also proved from Holy Qur’an e.g. Surah Najm : verse 26, traditions from Holy Prophet (S) has said:

“The prophets and angels will intercede.”

And there are many traditions regarding the intercession of angels.

(7) Martyrs Of Islam

Those people who have offered their lives on the path of Allah (s.w.t.) surely Lord will give them right to intercede. Holy Prophet (S) said thus:

“On the day of judgement first the prophets, then the learned man and then the martyrs will intercede.”[^2]

At some other place he (S) said:

“A martyr will intercede for seventy persons from among his relatives.”[^3]

(8) Learned Persons Of Religion

Those scholars who have given up every thing to raise the Islam to its position, and scarified themselves to give light to the people, surely they have right to intercede. As Hazrat ‘Ali (a.s.) has narrated from Holy Prophet (S) that he said:

“Three types of people who will intercede will be first Prophets, second learned people, third martyrs.”[^4]

There are many traditions but we quote here only one,

“On the day of judgement Lord will summon the learned and the pious He will order the pious to go and enter Heaven and than He will address learned to wait and do intercession for others, as he you have brought them up well in the world.”[^5]

(9) Qur’an – Those Who Learn, Memorize And Act On It

Maula ‘Ali (a.s.) narrates with reference to Holy Prophet (S) that:

“Person who learns Qur’an, memorize it and understands its lawful as lawful and unlawful as unlawful and also act on it, then God will make them enter Heaven and give them right to intercede for ten of his relatives who deserved to receive His punishment.”[^6]

(10) Even Lord Himself Intercedes

We read in tradition that Lord Himself will intercede and free them from fire of hell. Holy Prophet (S) narrates that

“Prophets, angels and the believers will do intercession Lord will say now My intercession is remaining for those who have yet not being interceded.”[^7]

It is difficult to comprehend how Lord can do intercession, we can see from this line of supplication of Imam Sajjad (a.s.)

“My love towards Thee, is my interceder.”[^8]

At another place, he (S) said,

“In Thy presence there is no interceder of mine, therefore make Your grace and mercy my intercessor.”^9

In Surah Zumar: verse 44 Allah (s.w.t.) said that,

“Say: (O messenger!) Allah’s is the intercession altogether.”

[^1]: Amaali al-Suduq, p. 291

[^2]: Jaameus Sagheer, vol. 1, pg. 434.

[^3]: Kanzul Ummaal, vol. 4, pg. 405.

[^4]: Mizaanul Hikmah, vol. 2, pg. 1474.

[^5]: Behaarul Anwaar, vol. 8, pg. 56, Tr. No. 66.

[^6]: Sunan al-Tirmidhi, vol. 4, pg. 245.

[^7]: Saheeh Bukhaari, vol. 9, pg. 160.

[^8]: Sahifah Sajjaadiyyah.