QUESTION: What do the Islamic Jurists state in the following matter: Is the issue of the Prophet ﷺ being an intercessor proven from the Hadith?Translator’s Note: It must be noted that readers will find in certain narrations many narrations counted as one, in other words Hadith no. 27, 28 29. The reason for this is that the same narrations appear so many times in so many other books by numerous other narrators.
THE ANSWER:
Subhaan’Allah! It is amazing to hear such a question, where Muslims and those who claim to be followers of the Sunnah, have such doubts. This is definitely one of the signs of the nearness of Qiyaamat. "Inna Lil laahi Wa Inna Ilaihi Raaji’oon”
The Ahadith on Shafa’at are so evident, that they cannot be concealed. Various Sahaba, scores of Taabi’een and thousands Muhaditheen have narrated them. This is such a clear issue, that every Kitaab of Hadith has some information on this. Leaving the authentic sources, even ordinary people and children know the facts concerning topics like The Prophet ﷺ being blessed with seeing Allah, and Intercession.
This humble servant has written a detailed book on this topic in which I have documented many Ahadith on this topic, but to answer this query, I am only presenting forty such Ahadith for your perusal. However, before presenting these Ahadith-e- Mubaraka, I would like to present a few verses of the Holy Qur’an on the said topic:
EVIDENCE FROM THE HOLY QUR'AN
First verse: Almighty Allah says, "It is soon that Almighty Allah will bless you with the Station of Praise” (Qur’an 17-79)
It is in the Hadith Shareef, that Huzoor ﷺ was asked concerning the Station of Praise (Maqaame Mahmood) and he replied by saying, "It is Intercession” (Jaame Tirmizi pg 164 vol 2)
Verse Two: Almighty Allah says in the Glorious Qur’an, " And it is near, that Your Lord will bestow so much upon you, that you may be pleased” (Qur’an Sura Duhaa)
Concerning this verse, it is in Dailmi Musnadul Firdaus on the narration of Hazrat Ali (radi Allahu anhu) that the Holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said, "When Almighty Allah has promised to please me, then I will not be pleased, if even one of my Ummah was left in the fire of Hell.” (Tafseer Kabeer of Fakhrudeen Razi Page 213)
It is on the authority of Hazrat Maula Ali (radi Allahu anhu) in Tabrani, Mu’jim and Musnadul Firdaus etc. that that Prophet ﷺ said, "I will intercede for my Ummah until my Creator summons me (saying), ‘O Muhammad ﷺ ! Are you pleased?’ then I will answer by saying, O My Creator! Im am pleased” (Ad Dur rul Manthoor fi Tafseeril Ma’thoor by Abdur Rahmaan Suyuti Page 361 Vol 2)
Verse Three: Almighty Allah says in the Glorious Qur’an, "O Beloved! Ask for the forgiveness of the sin of the Believing men and the Believing women.” (Al Qur’an 19-47)
In this verse of the Holy Qur’an, Almighty Allah is commanding His Beloved Nabi ﷺ to ask for the forgiveness of the sins of the Believing men and women. If this is not intercession, then what is it?
Fourth Verse: Almighty Allah says, "And if they do injustice unto their souls, then they should come to You, they should repent to Allah, and the Prophet should ask for their Pardon, then Verily they will find that Allah is most forgiving and Most Compassionate.” (Al Qur’an 64-4)
In this verse of the Holy Qur’an, Almighty Allah is making it clear, that if we sin, then we should present ourselves in the Blessed Court of the Prophet ﷺ and request him to intercede on our behalf. Almighty Allah is informing us, that if His Beloved intercedes on our behalf, then He will definitely pardon our sins.
Fifth Verse: Almighty Allah says in the Holy Qur’an, "When it is said to the hypocrites, Come, let the Prophet ﷺ intercede on your behalf, then they turn their heads away.” (Al Qur’an 5-23)
In this verse, the pathetic condition of the hypocrites is being explained, that even though they are being commanded to ask the Prophet ﷺ to intercede on their behalf, they reject this divine command. It must be remembered, that if one does not ask today, then he will not be able to gain intercession tomorrow on the day of Reckoning. May Almighty Allah bless us with the intercession of the Prophet ﷺ in this world and in the hereafter. Aameen
EVIDENCE FROM AHADITH
It is very evident in the Ahadith, that discuss the issue of Shafa’at-e-Kubra (The Highest Station of Intercession), that on the day of Reckoning, it will be a very lengthy day that will not seem to end, the sun will be just above our heads, and Hell will be close by, the heat equivalent to that of ten years will be gathered in the sun at this time, The heat will be so intense that we pray Allah protects us from this. The ground will seep with the perspiration of the people, causing the perspiration to come up so high, that it will cover our throats. People will be drowning in their own perspiration, choking so muck so, as if the heart will be in their throats.
Every person will be drenched and so exhausted by the intensity of this heat that they will go out in search of an intercessor. They will go to Nabi Adam, Nabi Nooh, Nabi Ibrahim, Nabi Moosa, Nabi Esa (alaihimus Salaatu wa Tasleem). Every Nabi will answer in the negative, by saying that the station of Intercession is beyond them. Each one will send the people to the next, until we will all go to Shafi-ul- Muznabeen, Rahmatul lil Aalameen ﷺ on hearing their pleas will say, "I am here to Intercede, I am here to Intercede” The Prophet ﷺ will then go into Sajdah and intercede. Almighty Allah will then say, "O Muhammad ﷺ Raise your head, and Ask, Your words will be heard and ask, so that your request may be fulfilled, and intercede, so that your intercession may be accepted.” (Sahih Bukhari page 1119 Vol 2 - Sunan Ibn Majah Page 320 - Majma-u-Zawa’id Page 373 Vol 10)
This will be the actual Station of Praise (Maqaamul Mahmood), where all will sing the Praise of the Holy Prophet ﷺ, and it is here, that the excellence of the Prophet ﷺ will become clear to all.
The status that has been blessed to the Prophet ﷺ in the Court of Almighty Allah has never been given to any other. The Excellence that the Prophet ﷺ has in the Court of Allah is such that none other has. Praise is to Allah, The Lord of the Worlds!
It is for this reason, that Almighty Allah will inspire in the hearts of the people through His Eternal Wisdom, that they should first go to all the other Prophets, from where they will be turned away, after which, they will come to the Prophet ﷺ. The reason for this is, so that all shall see that status and the closeness of the Holy Prophet ﷺ in the Court of Almighty Allah. Almighty Allah will show all on that day, that none has the right to open the doors of intercession except His Beloved ﷺ.
These Ahadith (relating to intercession) are documented in the Sahih of Bukhari and Muslim and is well known by the Muslims. There is thus no need to go to deep into the explanation of these Ahadith. For those who wish to do so, and have even a little knowledge of Hadith, should peruse the Mishkaat Shareef etc. or ask someone that has knowledge to read the relevant Ahadith to them. It has been stated in the very same Ahadith-e-Mubaraka, that after opening the doors of intercession, Shafi-ul-Muznabeen ﷺ will go on interceding, and Almighty Allah will continuously answer his intercession with the same statement, and in every intercession, the Prophet ﷺ will cause countless people to be pardoned for their sins.
With the exception of the acclaimed narrations that I have already presented, I am also presenting forty such Ahadith on intercession that very seldom reaches the general public. (Insha Allah) after perusing these narrations, the faith of the Muslims will be strengthened, the hearts of those who reject will burn in the flame of enmity, especially the hearts of those who reject the intercession of our Beloved Prophet ﷺ .
It will become evident from these Ahadith, that our Master and Leader Muhammad ﷺ has been blessed with the authority of intercession, and it is only his blessed court from which we may gain salvation. These Ahadith will show, that Almighty Allah has blessed and appointed the Prophet ﷺ as the Possessor of intercession, not like on Najdi, who says that Allah will decide on who to make an intercessor. These Ahadith will show, that the intercession of the Prophet ﷺ is not for those persons who have committed minor or un-intentional sins, but for those who have committed majors sins, By Allah! Who blessed his Beloved with being the Intercessor, His intercession is for great sinners like us, whose every hair is soaked in sin.
HADITH NO 1 & 2
It is recorded by Imam Ahmed with the sanad of Sahih on the authority of Hazrat Abdullah bin Umar (radi Allahu anhu) and by Ibn Majah on the authority of Hazrat Abu Moosa Ash’ari (radi Allahu anhu) that the Holy Prophet ﷺ said, "Almighty Allah gave me the choice of either intercession, or taking half of my Ummah to Jannat. I took intercession for it is that, which will be of more use and more needed. Do you think that my Intercession is for those who are pure Muslims? No, but my intercession is for those sinners, that are covered in sin and wrong.” (Ibn Majah Page 329)
HADITH NO. 3.
Ibn Adi narrates on that authority of Ummul Mo’mineen Sayyida Umme Salma (radi Allahu anha), that the Prophet ﷺ said, "My intercession is for those of my Ummah, whose sins have destructed them.” (Majma-u-Zawa’id Page 378 Vol 10)
This is the Truth, O my Intercessor. May I be sacrificed at your blessed feet.
HADITH NO. 4,5,6,7,8
Hazrat Abu Dawood, Tirmizi, Ibn Hibbaan, Haakim and Baihaqi narrate with correctness from Hazrat Anas bin Maalik (radi Allahu anhu), and Tirmizi, Ibn Majah, Ibn Hibban and Haakim also narrate from Hazrat Jaabir (radi Allahu anhu), and Tabrani and Mu’jim Kabeer narrate from Hazrat Abdullah ibn Abbas (radi Allahu anhu), and from Hazrat Abdullah ibn Umar and Hazrat Ka’ab (radi Allahu anhum) that the Prophet ﷺ said, "My Intercession is for those in my Ummah, who have committed major sins (Gunah-e-Kabeera)” (Sunan Ibn Majah Page 329)
HADITH NO. 9
Hazrat Abu Ahmed bin Ali Baghdaadi (radi Allahu anhu) narrates on the authority of Hazrat Abu Dawood (radi Allahu anhu) that the Prophet ﷺ said, "My intercession if for the sinners in my Ummah”
HADITH NO 10,11
Tabrani and Baihaqi narrate from Hazrat Buraida (radi Allahu anhu) and Tabrani Mu’jim Awsat from Hazrat Anas (radi Allahu anhu) that the Prophet ﷺ said, On the day of Qiyaamah I will intercede for more people than the amount of trees, stones and pebbles there are on earth.”
HADITH NO. 12
Bukhari, Muslim, Haakim and Baihaqi narrate on that authority of Hazrat Abu Hurairah (radi Allahu anhu) that the Prophet ﷺ said, "My intercession is for every person who recites the Kalima, by reciting with the tongue and confirming with the heart.”
HADITH NO. 13
Ahmad, Tabrani and Bazzaz narrate on the authority of Hazrat Ma’aaz ibn Jabl and Hazrat Abu Moosa Ash’ari (radi Allahu anhum), that the Prophet ﷺ said, "There is much gain in intercession for my Ummah,.since it is for every person who dies with Imaan.”
HADITH NO. 14
It is in Tibraani and Mu’jim, on the authority of Hazrat Abu Hurairah (radi Allahu anhu) that the Prophet ﷺ said, "I will open the door of hell and leave, and there I will Praise Allah, none has ever done this before me and none shall do so after me, and I will remove every such person from hell, who read La Ilaha Ilal laa with a sincere heart.”
HADITH NO. 15
It is in Tabrani and Baihaqi on the authority of Hazrat Abdullah ibn Ab’bas (radi Allahu anhu) that the Holy Prophet ﷺ said, "(On the day of reckoning) Pulpits of gold would be laid for the Ambia (Prophets). All of them will sit on these pulpits, except me. I will stand humbly before Allah, in this fear, that I should not be allowed to enter Paradise whilst my Ummah are left behind. I will then say, O My Allah! My Ummah, My Ummah. Almighty Allah will say, ‘O Muhammad ﷺ ! What is your wish? What should I do with your Ummah?’ and I will answer by saying, O My Allah! Allow their reckoning to be speedy. I will then intercede (for them) until I am given a message of them being released from the fire of Hell. Then Maalik, the Gate Keeper of Hell will say, O Muhammad ﷺ , You did not even leave even the names sake of the sign of Allah’s wrath in your Ummah.”
HADITH 16,17,18 ,19 20 ,21
Bukhari, Muslim and Nasa’i narrate on the authority of Hazrat Jaabir bin Abdullah (radi Allahu anhu), Ahmad with the sanad of Hassan, Bukhari, Bazzaz., Tabraani , Baihaqi and Abu Naeem narrate on the authority of Hazrat Abdullah bin Abbas (radi Allahu anhu), and Ahmad, Bazzaz, Daarmi, Ibn Shaiba, Abu Ya’laa, abu Naeem and Baihaqi narate on the authority of Hazrat Abu Zirr (radi Allahu anhu), and Tabrani, Mu’jim Awsat narrate from Hazrat Abu Saeed Khudri (radi Allahu anhu) and Kabeer narrates on the authority of Saa’ib ibn Yazeed, and Ahmad , Ibn Abi Shaiba and Tabraani also narrate on the authority of Hazrat Abu Moosa Ash’ari (radi Allahu anhu) a Hadith in which the Holy Prophet ﷺ said, "I have been appointed as the Intercessor, and intercession has been bestowed specifically to me, and except me none has been given this position.”
HADITH NO. 22,23
It is on the authority of Ibn Abbas, Abu Saeed and Abu Moosa (radi Allahu anhu), the same which is the crux of the Hadith narrated by Ahmad Bukhari and Muslim on the Authority of
Hazrat Anas (radi Allahu anhu), and the Shaikhain have narrated on the authority of Hazrat Abu Hurairah (radi Allahu anhu), that the Prophet ﷺ said, "Even though thousands of the Ambia duas are accepted, verily they are given one special dua by Allah, that they may ask whatever they desire.Every Nabi from Hazrat Adam right upto Hazrat Esa (alaihi salaatu was salaam) made this dua whilst on earth, and I have kept this dua for the hereafter. That (dua) is my intercession, for my Ummah. I have kept this (dua) for my entire Ummah who left this world with Imaan.”
Allahu Akbar! O Sinners of the Ummah! Did you see how merciful our Beloved Nabi ﷺ is on us. Allah blessed him with three requests, that he may ask as he wished, but our Beloved Nabi ﷺ never used any one of them for himself. He has kept everyone of them for us. Two he used on earth, and even that was for us, and one he kept as intercession for us on the day of reckoning. On that day, when none will be of assistance to us, our Merciful and beloved Nabi ﷺ will be there for us. Almighty Allah says in the Glorious Qur’an, "Heavy upon him is your suffering, ardently desirous of your welfare, to Muslims is most kind and Merciful.”(Al Qur’an 128-9)
By Allah the Greatest! By Allah, who blessed him with compassion and Kindness! No mother or father is so compassionate and merciful towards even his only child, like the Prophet ﷺ is towards every one of His Ummah.O Allah, You are aware of our weaknesses and shortcomings, and of His excellence. O Allah! Send Salutations upon him and his family on our behalf, Salutations that are worthy of His excellence and a means of gaining his Mercy. Aameen.
What is the condition of some of those who call themselves the Ummah? Some want to doubt His excellence, some try to doubt His intercession; some think of praising him like themselves, some become upset and angry when he is praised. They call his reverence Innovation, and to respect him Polytheism. Wa Laa Hawla Wa laa Quwatta Ila Bi laahil Aliyil Azeem.
HADITH NO. 24
It is narrated in Sahih Muslim on the authority of Hazrat Abi bin Ka’ab (radi Allahu anhu) that the Holy Prophet ﷺ said, "I have twice on earth said, O Allah forgive my Ummah, O Allah forgive my Ummah, and I have kept the third for that day on which the entire creation of Allah will come towards me, even Hazrat Ebrahim Khalilullah (alaihis salaam).” (Musnad Imam Ahmed bin Hambal Page 127 Vol 5 - Sahih Muslim Page 273 Vol 1)
HADITH NO. 25
Baihaqi narrates on the authority of Hazrat Abu Hurairah (radi Allahu anhu) that on the night of Me’raj, the Holy Prophet ﷺ said in the court of Almighty Allah, (O Allah!) You have given certain and certain excellence to your Nabis, and Almighty Allah said, "That which I have bestowed upon you is better than all that which I have given them. I have kept intercession hidden for you, except you none has been blessed with this.”
HADITH NO. 26
Ibn Abi Shaiba, Tirmizi, Ibn Majah and Haakim narrate on the authority of Abi bin Ka’ab (radi Allahu anhu) that the Prophet ﷺ said, "On the day of Reckoning, I will be the Leader, Spokesperson and Intercessor of the Ambia and I do not say this with any pride.” (Sunan Ibn Majah Page 330)
HADITH NO. 27 TO 40
It is narrated by Ibn Muni’on the authority of Zaid ibn Arqam and fourteen other Sahaba (radi Allahu ta’aala anhum) that the Prophet ﷺ said, "My intercession on the Day of Qiyaamah is a reality (fact) and he who does not bring Imaan on this, then his will not be accepted.” (Mustadrik page 71 Vol 1)
Intercession of Rasoolullah
ﷺ
Let us hear with the ears of our hearts, that the Holy Prophet ﷺ is the leader of the first and the last, He is the most exalted amongst the Prophets and Messengers, He is the most Revered in the Court of Allah, and is the Most exalted after Almighty amongst the creation of Allah. Huzoor ﷺ has been blessed with such excellence in the Court of Almighty Allah, that no other creation is equal of even close to his excellence. This is evident from the verses of the Holy Qur’an, the Ahadith- e-Mubaraka, statements of the Sahaba, Tabi’een, A’ima-e- Mujtahideen, and all the Learned Ulama. No person who claims to be a Muslim has the right to question or doubt this fact.
The Exalted Status of Rasoolullah ﷺ:
Almighty Allah says in the Glorious Qur’an, "O Beloved! I have sent you not but as Mercy unto the Worlds”
All the creation of Allah, Angels, Jins and Humans are included in this. Huzoor ﷺ asked Jibraeel (alaihis salaam) if he was also included in this, and he said, "Yes. I was unaware of my state when Almighty Allah said, "By the Lord of the Arsh, the Revered one, even there His command is adhered to.” I am content to know that the existence of the Prophet ﷺ is mercy for the entire Universe.
Even the passing away of the Prophet ﷺ is a means of Mercy. The Prophet ﷺ said, "My physical (worldly) life is best for you, and my passing away is also best for you.”
It is in another Hadith as follows, "When Almighty Allah wishes to send His mercy upon any Ummah, then He takes their Nabi away from them and He makes that Nabi the means of them entering Paradise.”
The word used in the Hadith is “Farata”. Farat refers to that person who reaches the final destination before his group, thus preparing for their coming, in other words arranging food, water etc, for them so that when they reach this destination, they have everything they need.
Hazrat Ibn Abbas (radi Allahu anhu) says that the Prophet ﷺ is mercy unto the believers and the disbelievers, since in this time; the kaafirs are even protected from the wrath of Allah which used to descend on the kaafirs of the past. Almighty Allah says, “It is not the dignity of Allah, that he may send his wrath upon them O Beloved! Whilst you are amongst them.”
In another verse Almighty Allah says, “O Beloved! We have exalted for you, your remembrance.”
Almighty Allah is saying, that whenever He is remembered, then His beloved will be remembered, like in the Azaan and in Namaaz. Hazrat Qatadah (radi Allahu anhu) says that Almighty Allah has exalted the remembrance of the Prophet ﷺ in this world and in the Hereafter, for whosoever, reads the Khutba, Tashahud or Namaaz will have to read Ash Hadu An Laa ilaha Ilal Laa wa Ash hadu An’na Muhammadar Rasoolallah.”
Almighty Allahs says that He has perfected Imaan with His and the remembrance of His beloved. Allah also says, that O beloved! I have made you my Zikr (remembrance) for whosoever will remember you, will remember me.
Almighty Allah says, "Verily Allah sent towards you Zikr, which is (His) Rasool.”
Hazrat Imam Jaafar Saadiq (radi Allahu anhu) says that Almighty Allah says, "Whomsoever remembers you with Prophethood will remember me as being the Creator.”
Almighty Allah kept His and His beloveds name free from the Harf aatifa (Waaw which means and) showing that His Beloveds remembrance cannot be separated from His. This is only for His Beloved and for none other.
It is in the Sharah Shifa as follows, "Many Ulama say that the name of Allah is with the name of the Prophet ﷺ according to the verse "and we have exalted for you your remembrance” is inscribed on everything. In other words Almighty Allah has inscribed His remembrance with the remembrance of the Prophet in everything, be it in Angels, the skies, the earths, buildings, the Arsh (Throne of Allah) stones, raw bricks, or trees and fruits etc. Allah has inscribed on everything the Name of the Prophet ﷺ with His Name, even though most of the creation cannot see this.
As Salaatu Was Salaamu Alaika Ya Rasoolallah
sallal laahu alaihi wasallam wa alaa Aalika wa
Ashabika Ya Shafi-al-Muznabeen
sallal laahu alaihi wasallam wa alaa Aalika wa
Ashabika Ya Shafi-al-Muznabeen
