Intercession

Intercession

In ancient times, the polytheists were engaged in their polytheism through seeking intercession, as Allah has said

  وَيَعْبُدُونَ مِنْ دُونِ اللَّهِ مَا لَا يَضُرُّهُمْ وَلَا يَنْفَعُهُمْ وَيَقُولُونَ هَؤُلَاءِ شُفَعَاؤُنَا عِنْدَ اللَّهِ  [يونس: 18]

[They worship besides Allah others who can neither harm nor benefit them, and say, “These are our intercessors with Allah.”] 10:18.

However, Allah Almighty, while discouraging such invocation and leaving the polytheists in despair, clarified that this is an act of Shirk. He purified His essence from such acts and revealed that there is no guardian, supporter, or intercessor for the creature other than Allah.

There is no absolute need for Allah to be approached through an intermediary or helper to fulfill the needs of the creature. Despite the diverse languages and voices of creatures, Allah is all aware of their needs and requirements.

Allah, the Most Exalted, has set two conditions for the acceptance of intercession that can not be fulfilled in this world:

1) Permission for the intercessor to intercede.

2) Contentment with the one for whom intercession is made.

The Almighty says:

 يَوْمَئِذٍ لَا تَنْفَعُ الشَّفَاعَةُ إِلَّا مَنْ أَذِنَ لَهُ الرَّحْمَنُ وَرَضِيَ لَهُ قَوْلًا  [طه: 109]

[On that Day no intercession will be of any benefit, except by those granted permission by the Most Compassionate and whose words are agreeable to Him.] 20:109.

Therefore, seeking intercession and blessings by invoking the righteous and saints, calling upon them and supplicating to them, is entirely similar to what the earlier polytheists used to do. Similarly, in the present era, seeking intercession from the Prophet is also fundamentally baseless and false, as the conditions for intercession are not fully met within such an invocation.

The permission from Allah has not been granted to the Prophet, peace be upon him, given that he has passed away, and his connection through revelation has ceased.

Another reason is that the one for whom intercession is sought has not obtained Allah's approval because he calls upon someone other than Allah (which is an act of Shirk). And Allah does not approve of Shirk. Allah says:

 وَلَا يَرْضَى لِعِبَادِهِ الْكُفْرَ  [الزمر: 7].

[nor does He approve of disbelief from His servants.] 39:7

So whoever calls upon the Prophet (peace be upon him), a member of his family, or any of the righteous seeking their intercession, this request falls under the category of what the early polytheists used to do, which is an act of polytheism. It is an invalid and intercession. Satan has manipulated many people, aiming to sever their connection with Allah by instilling the necessity of seeking intercessors and intermediaries to Allah, despite Allah's command:

 وَقَالَ رَبُّكُمُ ادْعُونِي أَسْتَجِبْ لَكُمْ  [غافر: 60]

[Your Lord has proclaimed, “Call upon Me, I will respond to you.] 40:60.

If someone desires intercession of Muhammad (peace be upon him), they should seek it from Allah, not directly from Muhammad (peace be upon him). Intercession is a domain controlled by Allah alone, as He says:

 قُلْ لِلَّهِ الشَّفَاعَةُ جَمِيعًا  [الزمر: 44]

[Say, “All intercession belongs to Allah ˹alone˺] 39:44.

Therefore, you should say, 'O Allah, grant me the intercession of Muhammad (peace be upon him),' or 'O Allah, let the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) intercede for me.'

This intercession will take place on the Day of Judgment, and one of the means to attain it is sincerity in the worship of Allah, followed by repeating the words of the adhan, then offering prayers upon the Prophet (peace be upon him), and finally saying:

اللهم رب هذه الدعوة التامة...

'O Allah, Lord of this perfect call...'

We ask Allah for guidance for everyone.

The ninth lesson comes to an end here. All thanks to Allah.