10.5 The Types of Established and Disproved Intercession


Dear brother student, after having defined the linguistic and technical definitions of intercession (الشفاعة) it befits us to explain that intercession (الشفاعة) is of two kinds: established intercession (الشفاعة) and rejected intercession (الشفاعة).

As for the established intercession (الشفاعة): it is that which is established through legal texts. And as for the rejected intercession (الشفاعة): it is the intercession (الشفاعة) that is sought by the extremists who defend shirk and which is not legally established. It is the type of intercession (الشفاعة) prescribed to by the people of this obscurity.


10.5 The Types of Established and Disproved Intercession


Established Intercession (الشفاعة)

It is the intercession on the Day of Judgement. It is confirmed that the Prophet PBUH intercedes on the Day of Judgement. Other times other intercessors intercede like the Angels, Prophets and Believers whilst at other time the Quran and fasting intercede. This form of intercession (الشفاعة) has two conditions: Allah’s permission to the intercessor and His pleasure with the person interceded.
Below is an explanation of these correct forms of intercession (الشفاعة):


10.5 The Types of Established and Disproved Intercession


1. The Great Intercession (الشفاعة)

This form of intercession (الشفاعة) is unique to the seal of the Prophets PBUH. This takes place when Allah gathers all creation in the fields of the Day of Judgement. The situation is severe. Nations hurry to the Prophets requesting from them attainment (التوسل) for the purpose of intercession (الشفاعة) with Allah the All Exalted that He may judge between them and relieve them from their dire circumstance and the severity and anguish. They hurry to Adam and Noah and Ibrahim and Moses and Jesus PBUT. They pass of the intercession (الشفاعة) after Adam to the foremost in patience and will among the Messengers PBUT until the matter reaches our Prophet Muhammad PBUH who will say: ((I will intercede)). He will intercede for those people to His Lord All Majestic. This is the greatest intercession (الشفاعة) and for that reason it is termed as such. This is because it includes all nations regardless of their religions; this intercession (الشفاعة) is the honoured station, according to the popular opinion of the scholars that Allah promised the seal of the Prophets PBUH in His words:
[الإسراء:٧٩] (( عَسَى أَنْ يَبْعَثَكَ رَبُّكَ مَقَاماً مَحْمُوداً ))
Soon will thy Lord raise thee to a Station of Praise and Glory! [17:79]

10.5 The Types of Established and Disproved Intercession


The details of this intercession (الشفاعة) are reported in the two authentics (Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim) in all its detail.

2. Intercession (الشفاعة) in Opening the Gate of Heaven for its Inhabitants

It is found in some Hadeeths that the Prophet PBUH is the first person to intercede for the inhabitants of heaven. Of this is what has been narrated by Anas ibn Malik ®:
آتي باب الجنة يوم القيامة فأستفتح فيقول الخازن: من أنت؟ )) :أن النبي -صلى الله عليه وسلم- قال
رواه مسلم (( فأقول: محمد. فيقول: بك أمرت لا أفتح لأحد قبلك
That the Prophet PBUH said: ((I reached the gate of heaven on the day of Judgement and when it opens the guardian asks: Who are you? I reply: Muhammad. So he says: I have been ordered not to open the gate except for you.)) Reported by Muslim.

10.5 The Types of Established and Disproved Intercession


3. Intercession (الشفاعة) in Easing the Punishment for the Deserving

This intercession (الشفاعة) is unique to the Prophet PBUH for his uncle Abi Talib. The evidence for this is what has been reported in the two authentics by Abbas ibn Abd al-Mutallib ® said:
يا رسول الله: هل نفعت أبا طالب بشيء فإنه كان يحفظك، ويغضب لك؟ قال: نعم في ضحضاح من نار، ولولا ))
(( أنا لكان في الدرك الأسفل من النار
((OH Messenger of Allah: have you benefitted Abi Talib at all, for verily he protected you and fought for you? He said: yes in the shoal of the hellfire and if it were not for me he would have been in the lowest pit of hell.))

10.5 The Types of Established and Disproved Intercession


4. Intercession (الشفاعة) in Exalting the Status of Peoples from the Inhabitants of Heaven

Evidence in support of this is found in the two authentics from the Hadeeth of Abi Moosa al-Ash’ari ®:
أن أبا عامر عم أبي موسى الأشعري -رضيَ اللهُ عنه- أمر أبا موسى الأشعري أن يطلب من النبي -صلى الله عليه ))
وسلم- أن يدعو له، فأخبر أبو موسى النبي -صلى الله عليه وسلم- فدعا رسول الله -صلى الله عليه وسلم- بماء
فتوضأ منه، ثم رجع يديه ثم قال: اللهم اغفر لعبيد بن عامر، حتى رأيت بياض إبطيه، ثم قال: اللهم اجعله يوم القيامة
فوق كثير من خلقك أو من الناس. فقلت: يا رسول الله فاستغفر. فقال النبي -صلى الله عليه وسلم-: اللهم اغفر
(( لعبد الله بن قيس ذنبه وأدخله يوم القيامة مدخلاً كريماً

10.5 The Types of Established and Disproved Intercession


((Abi Aamir the uncle of Abi Moosa al-Ash’ari ® ordered Abi Moosa al-Ash’ari to ask from the Prophet PBUH to supplicate for him. So Abi Moosa informed the Prophet PBUH and the Messenger of Allah PBUH called for water and performed the ablution then he raised his hands until I saw the white of his armpits and said: Oh Lord forgive Abeed ibn Aamir. He then said: Oh Lord make the Day of Judgement beyond many of your creation and human beings. I said: Oh Messenger of Allah pardon me. So the Prophet PBUH said: Oh Lord forgive ‘Abd Allah ib Qays his sins and enter him on the Day of Judgement the blessed gates.))

Some of the knowledgeable are of the view that this form of intercession (الشفاعة) is unique to the Prophet PBUH, and it is also said: it is not unique to him however he befits it most.

Rejected Intercession (الشفاعة)

After having explained the meaning of established intercession (الشفاعة) and its types and conditions, we now turn to the second type of intercession (الشفاعة) which is rejected intercession (الشفاعة).

10.5 The Types of Established and Disproved Intercession


It is that which is rejected by the Noble Quran and correct transmission and sound intellect also reject it. It is that which is sought by the extremist grave worshippers and their like along with their intercession (الشفاعة) which is claimed by the polytheist for their idols. It is also mentioned in this obscurity that we are currently discussing the refutation of their claims.

Sheikh al-Islam ibn Taymiyyah -may Allah show him mercy-said regarding the explanation the differences between people regarding intercession (الشفاعة): “People have divided on this topic into three sects: two extremes and one moderate. The polytheists and their kin from the innovative people of the book like the Christians along with the innovators of this Ummah have affirmed the type of intercession (الشفاعة) that is rejected by Quran.” Here ends his remarks.


10.5 The Types of Established and Disproved Intercession


Allah the All Exalted has informed us about the polytheists who claim that their idols and statues intercede for them with Allah the All Exalted, Allah the All Exalted has said:

[الزمر:٣] (( مَا نَعْبُدُهُمْ إِلا لِيُقَرِّبُونَا إِلَى اللَّهِ زُلْفَى ))
"We only serve them in order that they may bring us nearer to Allah." [39:3]
[يونس:١٨] (( وقال تعالى: ((هَؤُلاءِ شُفَعَاؤُنَا عِنْدَ اللَّهِ ))
"These are our intercessors with Allah." [10:18]

10.5 The Types of Established and Disproved Intercession


This form of intercession (الشفاعة) differs from the established intercession (الشفاعة) as Allah the All Exalted has rejected it by His words:

[الأنعام:٥١] (( وَأَنْذِرْ بِهِ الَّذِينَ يَخَافُونَ أَنْ يُحْشَرُوا إِلَى رَبِّهِمْ لَيْسَ لَهُمْ مِنْ دُونِهِ وَلِيٌّ وَلا شَفِيعٌ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَتَّقُونَ ))
Give this warning to those in whose (hearts) is the fear that they will be brought (to judgment) before their Lord: except for Him they will have neither protector nor intercessor: that they may guard (against evil). [6:51]
[الزمر:٤٤] (( قُلْ لِلَّهِ الشَّفَاعَةُ جَمِيعاً )) وبقوله عز وجل:
Say: "To Allah belongs exclusively (the right to grant) intercession." [39:44]