Hafiz Ghulam Haider Ali Qadri explains how intercession (Shafaa’ah) of the Holy Prophet صلى الله عليه وآله وصحبه وسلم is  proven from the Quran and Hadith. May Allah سبحانه و تعالى rewards his efforts immensely. Ameen.

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In Allah’s Name we begin, The Compassionate, The Most Merciful

Peace and Blessings on his Messenger

All praise is for Allah Almighty who is all seeing and all hearing and salutations and blessings on the beloved one who gives glad tidings and warns and will intercede for us on the day of reckoning.

It has been queried whether the intercession (shafaa’ah) of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him, his family and companions) is proven from the Quran and Hadith. We will demonstrate that the traditions (ahadeeth-e-mubaraka) on intercession (shafaa’ah) are so evident, that they cannot be concealed or denied. Numerous companions (Allah be pleased with them all) of the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him, his family and companions) and companions of the companions (taabi’een) and thousands of traditionalists (muhadditheen) have narrated these traditions. This is such a clear issue as there are numerous authentic narrations concerning it, in every collection of hadith. However, before presenting these blessed traditions (ahadith-e- mubaraka), we present a few verses of the Holy Qur’an on the said topic:

Allah Almighty says in the Holy Qur’an: “It is soon that Allah Almighty will bless you with the Station of Praise (Maqam e Mahmud)”

[Surah Al Isra (17), verse 79]

It is narrated by Hadhrat Abu Huraira (Allah be pleased with him) that the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him, his family and companions) was asked concerning the station of praise (Maqaam e Mahmud), referred to in this ayah, and he replied by saying, “It is the intercession”

[Hadith 3137, Chapter: Tafseer of the Quran, Book: Jaami’ At-Tirmidhi]

The Maqam e Mahmud (station of praise and glory) is the place from where the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him, his family and companions) will open the doors of the great intercession, on the day of judgement. This intercession will belong exclusively to the Holy Prophet (pbuh). It is due to this action of his (pbuh) that the reckoning of all humanity will begin. This rank is specifically granted to him (pbuh) of which all will be envious. The true meaning of the position of Muhammad (The Most Praised One) will be revealed at the Maqam e Mahmud (station of praise and glory) because on that day the true significance of his blessed name “Muhammad” will be made manifest for all to see as he (pbuh) will be the object of the praise of the creator and all creation.

Allah Almighty says in the Holy Qur’an: “And it is near, that Your Lord will bestow so much upon you (O beloved Prophet), that you may be well pleased”

[Surah Duhaa (93), verse 5]

Concerning this verse, Imam Abu Mansur Daylami (Allah have mercy on him) reports in his hadith collection Musnad al-Firdaus that it is narrated by our liege lord, the commander of the faithful, our beloved master Hadhrat Ali ul Murtadha (Allah further ennoble his blessed countenance) that the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him, his family and companions) said, “When Allah Almighty promises to please me, then I will not be pleased, if even one of my Ummah remains in the fire of Hell.”

[Al Tafseer Al Kabeer by Imam Fakhruddin Razi]

Imam Jalal Uddin Suyuti (Allah have mercy on him) records in his commentary on the Holy Qur’an that it is reported by Imam Tabarani, on the authority of Hadhrat Maula Ali ul Murtadha (Allah further ennoble his blessed countenance) that the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him, his family and companions) said, “I will intercede for my Ummah until my Creator summons me (saying), “O Muhammad! Are you pleased?” then I will answer by saying, “O my Creator! surely I am pleased”.

[Al-Mu’jam Al-Awsat by Imam Tabarani/Al Durr Al Manthur by Imam Jalal Uddin Suyuti]

Allah Almighty says in the Holy Qur’an: “O Beloved! Ask for the forgiveness of your near ones and for the sins of the believing men and the believing women.”

[Surah Muhammad (47), verse 19]

In this verse of the Holy Qur’an, Allah Almighty is commanding his beloved Prophet (peace be upon him, his family and companions) to ask for the forgiveness of the sins of the believing men and women. This verse is a clear indicator of the intercession of the Holy Prophet (pbuh). In this verse there is an honour bestowed upon the Muslim Ummah in that Allah Almighty is commanding his beloved Prophet (pbuh) to intercede for us. This shows us that when Allah (the transcendent, the highest) decides to bestow a favour and clemency on a believer he grants it through the connection of the Holy Prophet (pbuh). It is ultimately Allah Almighty who forgives but he commands his beloved (pbuh) to intercede for us so that he can pardon us through him (pbuh). This proves that no believer is autonomous from the Holy Prophet (pbuh) when it comes to salvation and receipt of Allah’s grace and mercy. Allah Almighty bestows his mercy on the believers but the distributor of this mercy is the beloved Holy Prophet (pbuh).

Allah Almighty says in the Holy Qur’an: “And if, when they do injustice unto their souls, then (O Beloved) they should come to you, and then they should repent to Allah, and the Prophet should ask for their pardon, then surely they will find that Allah is most forgiving and most compassionate.”

[Surah Nisa (4), verse 64]

In this verse of the Holy Qur’an, Allah Almighty is making it clear, that if and when we sin, we should present ourselves in the blessed court of the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him, his family and companions) and request him (pbuh) to intercede on our behalf, with Allah (the transcendent, the highest. Allah Almighty is informing us that if his beloved Prophet (pbuh) intercedes on our behalf, then he will certainly pardon our sins.

This verse is generic in its import as there is no restriction concerning the transgression that is being repented from, the transgressor or the time and place of the transgression. All types of transgressors and sinners from all periods of time who have committed any form of transgression or sin must come to the court of the beloved Prophet (peace be upon him, his family and companions) to request his intercession, for the repentance of their sins. It should be noted that the words “they should come to you” does not confine the believing transgressor to going to Madina Al Munawwara (the illuminated city of the Prophet), in person; if one is unable to travel there, for whatever reason, this can also be achieved by turning to him spiritually, with sincerity. If one can attend the illuminated holy city of Madinah it would of course be their good fortune and an immense blessing. From this verse we learn that the Holy Prophet’s (pbuh) abode and resting place is a place of cure for all our ills and troubles; nobody is turned away from there unfulfilled and unpardoned.

Allah Almighty says in the Holy Qur’an: “When it is said to them (the hypocrites), Come, the Prophet of Allah will ask forgiveness for you (on your behalf), then they turn their heads away and you see them evading while they are full of arrogance.”

[Surah Al Munafiqoon (63), verse 5]

In this verse, the pathetic condition of the hypocrites is being explained, that even though they are being commanded by Allah Almighty to ask the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him, his family and companions) to intercede on their behalf, they reject this divine command. It must be remembered, that if one does not ask for the intercession of the Holy Prophet (pbuh) in this world, then he will not be able to gain intercession, tomorrow, on the day of Reckoning. May Allah Almighty bless all believers with the intercession of the Holy Prophet (pbuh) in this world and in the hereafter. Aameen.

It is very evident in the traditions (ahadith) of the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him, his family and companions), 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 the heads, and Hell will be close by: the heat equivalent to that of ten years will be gathered in the sun at this time. We pray that Allah Almighty (the transcendent, the highest) protects us from this intense heat. The ground will be seeping with the perspiration of the people, causing the perspiration to come up so high, that it will go above the necks. People will be drowning in their own perspiration and choking as if their hearts 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 Prophet Aadam (Adam), Prophet Nuh (Noah), Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham), Prophet Moosa (Moses), Prophet Esa (Jesus) (peace and blessings of Allah be upon them all). Every Prophet will answer, in the negative, by saying that the station of intercession is beyond them. Each Prophet will send the people to the next Prophet, until they will all go to the chief intercessor of the major sins (shafee ul muznibeen), the mercy of the universe (rahmatul lil aa’lameen) our beloved Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be on him, his family and companions) who on hearing their pleas will say, “I am here for that (to intercede), I am here for that (to intercede).” The Holy Prophet (pbuh) will then fall into prostration (sajdah) and intercede for us. Allah Almighty will then say, “O Muhammad, raise your head, and speak, your words will be heard, and request, so that your request will be granted, and intercede, so that your intercession will be accepted.”

[Hadith 7510, Chapter: Monotheism, Sahih Bukhari/Sunan Ibn Majah/Majma uz Zawaa’id]

This will be the actual Maqam e Mahmud (station of praise and glory) where all mankind will glorify and praise the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him, his family and companions) and it is here, that the excellence of the Prophet (pbuh) will become clear to friend and foe. The status that has been granted to the Holy Prophet (pbuh) in the court of Allah Almighty has never been given to any other. The excellence that the Holy Prophet (pbuh) has attained in the court of Allah Almighty (the transcendent, the highest) has not been attained by any other.

It is for this reason, that Allah Almighty will inspire in the hearts of the people, through his eternal wisdom, that they should first go to all the other Prophets (peace and blessings of Allah be on them all), from where they will be turned away. It is only after exhausting all avenues that they will come to the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him, his family and companions). The reason for this is so that all humanity shall see the status and the closeness of the Holy Prophet (pbuh) in the court of Allah Almighty. He (the transcendent, the highest) will show all present, on that day, that no one has the right to open the doors of intercession except the beloved (pbuh).

The authentic traditions (ahadeeth-e-mubaraka) relating to intercession are documented in the hadith collections of Saheeh Bukhari and Saheeh Muslim and are well known. It has been stated in the very same blessed traditions (ahadeeth-e-Mubaraka) that after opening the doors of intercession, the chief intercessor (shafee-ul-muznibeen) will commence interceding on behalf of the sinful believers and Allah Almighty will continuously answer his intercession, with the same statement, and in every round of intercession, the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him, his family and companions) will cause countless people to be pardoned for their sins. With the exception of the acclaimed narrations that have already presented, we are also presenting further traditions (ahadeeth) on intercession that very seldom reach the lay public. Allah willing (Inshaa Allah) after perusing these narrations, the faith of the Muslims will be further strengthened.

From here on in, we are documenting those traditions (ahadeeth) related to intercession that are not well known to the general Muslim laity. It will become evident from the traditions (ahadeeth), mentioned below, that our beloved master and leader the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him, his family and companions) has been blessed with the authority of intercession and it is only through his blessed court that we may gain salvation, on the day of reckoning. These traditions (ahadeeth) will demonstrate that Allah Almighty has blessed and appointed the Holy Prophet (pbuh) as the possessor of intercession. These traditions (ahadeeth) will show that the intercession of the Holy Prophet (pbuh) is not for those persons who have committed minor or unintentional sins, for which they are forever ashamed and repentant, but it is for those who have committed major sins.

It is recorded by Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal (Allah have mercy on him) with an authentic chain, on the authority of Hadhrat Abdullah ibn Umar (Allah be pleased with him), and it is recorded by Imam Ibn Majah on the authority of Hadhrat Abu Moosa Ash’ari (Allah be pleased with him) that the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him, his family and companions) said, “Allah Almighty gave me the choice of either intercession, or taking half of my ummah to Jannah. I chose intercession for it is that, which will be of more use and need. Do you think that my intercession is for those who are pious Muslims? No, my intercession is for those sinners, that are immersed in iniquity and sin.”

[Book of Zuhd, Chapter: Intercession, Hadith: 4311, Sunan Ibn Majah/Musnad Ahmad Ibn Hanbal]

Ibn Adi narrates on the authority of the mother of the believers Sayyida Umme Salma (Allah be pleased with her and upon her be peace) that the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him, his family and companions) said: “My intercession is for those of my Ummah, whose sins have destructed them.”

[Alkaamil ibn Adi/Majma-u-Zawa’id]

It is recorded in the following hadith collections that it is narrated, with authenticity, from Hadhrat Anas ibn Maalik, Hadhrat Jaabir ibn Abdullah Ansari, Hadhrat Abdullah ibn Abbas, Hadhrat Abdullah ibn Umar and Hadhrat Ka’ab (Allah be pleased with them all) that the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him, his family and companions) said: “My Intercession is for those in my Ummah, who have committed major sins (Ghunah-e-Kabeera).”

[Sunan Ibn Majah/Sunan Abu Dawood/Jaami Tirmidhi/Saheeh Ibn Hibbaan/Mustadrak lil Haakim/Sunan e Baihaqi/Jaami Tirmdhi/Saheeh Ibn Hibban/Mustadrak lil Haakim/Al-Mu’jam Al-Kabeer]

Hadhrat Abu Bakr Ahmed ibn Ali (Khatib Al Baghdadi) (Allah have mercy on him) narrates on the authority of Hadhrat Abu Dardaa (Allah be pleased with him) that the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him, his family and companions) said: “My intercession is for the sinners in my Ummah.”

[Tareekh e Baghdad]

Imam Tabrani and Imam Baihaqi (Allah have mercy on them both) record in their respective hadith collections that it is narrated from Hadhrat Buraida Al Aslami (Allah be pleased with him) and Imam Tabrani (Allah have mercy on him) records in his hadith collection: Mu’jam Al-Awsat, that it is narrated from Hadhrat Anas (Allah be pleased with him) that the beloved Holy Prophet (peace be upon him, his family and companions) said, “On the day of Qiyaamah (reckoning) I will intercede for more people than the amount of trees, stones and pebbles there are on earth.”

[Musnad Ahmad Ibn Hanbal]

It is reported by Imam Bukhari, Imam Muslim, Imam Haakim and Imam Baihaqi (Allah have mercy on them all) in their respective hadith collections that it is narrated on the authority of Hadhrat Abu Hurairah (Allah be pleased with him) that the beloved Holy Prophet (peace by upon him, his family and companions) said, “My intercession is for every person who sincerely recites the Kalima, by reciting with the tongue and confirming with the heart.”

[Chapter of Imaan, Al Mustadrak lil Haakim]

Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal, Imam Tabrani and Imam Al-Bazzar (Allah have mercy on them all) narrate on the authority of Hadhrat Ma’aaz ibn Jabl and Hadhrat Abu Moosa Ash’ari (Allah be pleased with them both) that the beloved Holy Prophet (peace be upon him, his family and companions) said, “There is immensity in intercession for my Ummah, since it is for every person who does not associate partners with Allah (i.e., he dies with Imaan).”

[Majmau’al-Zawa’id],

Imam Tabrani (Allah have mercy on him) records on the authority of Hadhrat Abu Hurairah (Allah be pleased with him) that the beloved Holy Prophet said, “I will have the door of Hellfire opened and there I will praise and glorify Allah such that none has ever praised him like that before me and none shall do so after me, and I will remove every such person from Hell, who said (in their life) “there is none worthy of worship except Allah” with a sincere heart.”

[Mu’jam Al-Awsat]

Imam Haakim, Imam Tabrani and Imam Baihaqi (Allah have mercy on them all) report on the authority of Hadhrat Abdullah ibn Abbas (Allah be pleased with him) that the beloved Holy Prophet (peace be upon him, his family and companion) said, “(On the day of reckoning) pulpits of gold will be placed for the Prophets. All of them will be seated on these pulpits, except me: my pulpit will remain empty; I will not be seated; I will stand humbly before Allah, in the fear that I am entered in to Paradise whilst my Ummah are left behind. I will then say: “O My Allah! My Ummah, My Ummah.” Allah Almighty will say, “O Muhammad! What is your wish? What should I do with your Ummah?” and I will answer by saying, “O My Lord! Allow their reckoning to be speedy”. I will then intercede (for them) until I am given a message that those who had been condemned to Hell, have been released from the fire of Hell. Then Maalik: the gate keeper of Hell, will say, “O Muhammad, you did not leave even the namesake of the sign of Allah’s wrath in your Ummah.”

[Chapter: Prophets, Book of Faith, Al-Mustadrak lil Haakim]

It has been narrated on the authority of Hadhrat Jaabir bin Abdullah, Hadhrat Abdullah bin Abbas, Hadhrat Abu Dharr Ghifari, Hadhrat Abu Saeed Khudri. Hadhrat Saa’ib ibn Yazeed and Hadhrat Abu Moosa Ash’ari (Allah be pleased with them all) that the beloved Holy Prophet (peace be upon him, his family and companions) said: (in the words of Hadhrat Jaabir ibn Abdullah), “I have been granted that which hasn’t been granted to anyone before me… I was granted intercession” and in all of these traditions it is mentioned that the Holy Prophet (pbuh) said “I have been appointed as the intercessor, and intercession has been bestowed specifically to me, and except me no other Prophet has been given this position.” This is reported in the respective hadith collections of Imam Bukhari, Imam Muslim, Imam Nasa’i, Imam Al-Bazzar, Imam Tabraani, Imam Al-Baihaqi, Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal, Imam Al-Daarimi, Imam Ibn Shaiba, Imam Abu Ya’laa and Imam Abu Nuaim (Allah have mercy on them all).

It is narrated on the authority of Hadhrat Abdullah Ibn Abbas, Hadhrat Abu Saeed Khudri and Hadhrat Abu Moosa Ash’ari (Allah be pleased with them all); on the authority of Hadhrat Abu Huraira (Allah be pleased with him) in Sahih Bukhari and Sahih Muslim; on the authority of Hadhrat Anas ibn Maalik (Allah be pleased with him) by Imam Ahmad, Imam Bukhari and Imam Muslim (Allah have mercy on them all) that the beloved Holy Prophet (peace be upon him, his family and companions) said: “Even though thousands of the supplications (duas) of the prophets are accepted, verily they are given one special dua by Allah, that they may ask whatever they desire and it will be granted. Every prophet from Hadhrat Adam all the way up to Hadhrat Esa (peace be upon them all) 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: whosoever left this world with Imaan (faith).”

Allah is the Greatest, O sinners of the ummah; do you see how merciful our beloved Holy Prophet (peace be upon him, his family and companions) is towards us. O our Intercessor; may we be sacrificed at your blessed feet. Allah (the transcendent, the highest) blessed him (pbuh) with three requests, that he may ask as he wished, but our beloved Holy Prophet (pbuh) never used any one of them for himself. He has kept every one of them for us. He (pbuh) utilized two requests on earth (even that was for us), and one he has reserved as intercession for us on the day of reckoning. On that day, when none will be of assistance to us, our most caring and merciful (Ra’oof ur Raheem) Holy Prophet (peace be upon him, his family and companions) will be there for us. Allah Almighty says in the Holy Qur’an: “Weighty upon him is your suffering, he is ardently desirous of your welfare, to the believers he is most kind and merciful.”

[Surah Tauba (9), verse 128]

By Allah: The Greatest! By Allah; who blessed him (pbuh) with compassion and kindness; no mother or father is so compassionate and merciful towards even their only child, like the blessed Holy Prophet (peace be upon him, his family and companions) is towards every individual believer of his Ummah. O Allah, you are aware of our weaknesses and shortcomings and of his excellence. O Allah! send salutations and blessings upon him and his family, on our behalf: salutations and blessings that are worthy of his excellence and a means of gaining his mercy. Aameen.

Some in this ummah (so called believers) have given such recompense for his merciful nature towards us that they attempt to create doubt in his level of excellence; some try to create doubt in his intercession; some think of reducing his praise and exaltation; some become troubled and irritated when he is praised. They refer to our reverence of him as innovation (bid’ah), and our respect of him as polytheism (shirk).

“And the unjust will soon know as to what kind of return they will be returned”

[Surah Shu’ra (26), verse 227]

There is neither might nor power except with Allah Almighty

It is narrated on the authority of Hazrat Ubayy ibn Ka’ab (Allah be pleased with him) that the beloved Holy Prophet (peace be upon him, his family and companions said, “Allah has granted me three requests: I have twice on earth requested, “O Allah forgive my Ummah, O Allah forgive my Ummah”, and I have kept the third request for that day on which the entire creation of Allah Almighty will come towards me, even Hadhrat Ibrahim (peace be on him).”

[Musnad Imam Ahmed ibn Hanbal/Sahih Muslim]

Imam Baihaqi narrates on the authority of Hadhrat Abu Hurairah (Allah be pleased with him) that on the night of ascension (Mi’raj), the beloved Holy Prophet (peace be upon him, his family and companions) said in the court of Allah Almighty: “(O Allah!) You have given such and such distinction to your prophets and Allah Almighty 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.”

[Section1, Chapter 3, Ash-Shifa bi Ta’reefi Huqooqil Mustafa of Qadhi Iyad Maliki]

Imam Ibn Abi Shaiba, Imam Tirmidhi, Imam Ibn Majah and Imam Haakim (Allah have mercy on them all) narrate on the authority of Hadhrat Ubay ibn Ka’ab (Allah be pleased with him) that the beloved Holy Prophet (peace be upon him, his family and companions) said, “On the day of reckoning, I will be the leader, spokesperson and intercessor of the prophets and I do not say this with any pride.”

[Book of Zuhd, Chapter: Intercession, Jaami Tirmidhi]

It is narrated on the authority of Hadhrat Zaid ibn Arqam (Allah be pleased with him) and fourteen other companions (Allah be pleased with them all) that the beloved Holy Prophet (peace be upon him, his family and companions) said, “My intercession on the Day of Qiyaamah is a reality (fact) and the truth and he who does not have faith in it will not be eligible for it.”

[Kanz ul Ummaal]

The Holy Prophet (peace be upon him, his family and companions) is the leader of the foremost and the lattermost. He is the most exalted amongst the creation of Allah. He is the most exalted amongst the Prophets and Messengers of Allah Almighty. He is the most revered in the court of Allah Almighty. The Holy Prophet (pbuh) has been blessed with such excellence in the court of Allah Almighty that no other creation is equal to or even close to his excellence. This is evident from the verses of the Holy Qur’an, the traditions (ahadeeth- e-mubaraka), statements of the companions (ashaab e kiram) and companions of the companions (tabi’een), the erudite jurist-consults (a’imma-e- mujtahideen), and all the learned scholars (ulama e kiram) of this ummah. No person who claims to be a Muslim has the right to question or doubt this fact.

O Allah Almighty, we are eternally grateful that you have enlightened us with guidance and entered us in to the ummah of the beloved Holy Prophet (peace be upon him, his family and companions). We believe and have complete faith in the intercession of the beloved (pbuh). O Allah Almighty, we beseech you to make us eligible and worthy of the intercession of the beloved (pbuh). O Allah Almighty, the most merciful, we request that you send your superior salutations and unlimited and never-ending blessings on the chosen beloved (pbuh) in whose intercession we are hopeful and of which we are expectant and reliant and on his purified progeny and faithful companions, for eternity. O most merciful and compassionate lord of the universe and beyond we entreat you to accept our supplications. Aameen.

Compiled by Hafiz Ghulam Haider Ali Qadri

Waltham Forest Islamic Association

5^th April 2021 / 22^nd Shaban 1442 AH

First Edition

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