Intercession is the concept of asking someone, usually a pious person such as the Prophet (SAW), to plead on our behalf to Allah Subhanatallah to either grant us our worldly prayers or to forgive us our sins on the Day of Judgment.
With the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Ever Merciful,
Some today, firmly believe in intercession while others are led to believe that it is unislamic because, by believing in such a concept one is associating partners with Allah Subhanatallah. They feel that they should deal directly with Allah Subhanatallah and ask Him for whatever they need and no one else can plead on their behalf. They argue: “Why should we go to a mere mortal like us when we can go directly to Allah.”
They do not believe in the Aulia Allah and the practice of pledging allegiance to a Saint.
There are many verses in the Holy Qur’an that deal with intercession. There are some like the following verse that, if misunderstood, may lead a person to think that there is no intercession.
“….Lest a soul is caught in its own ruin by its own action: it will find for itself no protector or intercessor except Allah…” 6:70.
Then there are many other verses in the Holy Qur’an that state that Allah Subhanatallah will accept the intercession of those people that He (Allah) has given permission to.
“None shall have the power of intercession but such a one as has received permission from (Allah) most Gracious.” 19:88
Such people will have special qualities. His belief would stem from actually experiencing and Allah Subhanatallah gives us further details of such people in other verses of the Holy Quran. Such people are described as:
“only he who bears witness to the Truth, and with full knowledge.” 43:86 making his “word is acceptable to Him?” 20:109
There are also many traditions of the Holy Prophet (SAW) that teaches us that he would intercede for his followers on the Day of Judgment and we quote a part of one.
“…Afterwards I shall return to Him (Allah) and glorify Him with (a special) glorification. Then I shall make prolonged prostration for Him. It will be said: O Muhammad! Rise up your head and say, it will be heard and seek, it will be given and intercede, it will be accepted. I shall say: O Lord! My followers! My followers! My followers! It will be said: Go and take out those in whose heart there was faith to the weight of an atom of a mustard seed…..”Al Hadis 4:41:3:34.
Intercession will not only take place on the Day of Judgment but it is a concept that was used throughout history and it is still used at present. The Holy Qur’an gives us many examples of how people approached their pious people to seek the favors of Allah Subhanatallah and we list a few:
The people of Hazrath Moosa (AS) asked him to ask Allah Subhanatallah for water. He interceded for them.
“and remember Moses prayed for water for his people: We said “strike the rock with your staff” then gushed 12 springs from the rock…” 2:60
“and remember you (Israelites) said: “O Moses we cannot endure one kind of food: So beseech thy Lord for us to ….” 2:61 When he asked Allah Subhanatallah for what they asked for his request was granted. Even the non believers asked him to ask Allah Subhanatallah to remove a plague and when he asked Allah Subhanatallah then his prayer was answered.
“Behold the disciples said: “O Jesus the son of Mary! Call thy Lord to send down to us a table set with (food) from heaven…. Said Jesus the son of Mary: “O Allah our Lord send for us from heaven a table set with (food)…Allah said: “I will send it down to you…” 5:112
and He did send it to them. Many people used to come to Hazrath Essa (AS) and ask for all sorts of things. He used to heal the blind and the leapers etc. all by Allah’s leave. See verse 5:110
“If those sinners come to you O Prophet and ask forgiveness of Allah, and the Holy Prophet also seeks forgiveness for them, they will find Allah as the acceptor of repentance and bestower of Mercy.” 4:64
Abu Huraira (RA) used to invite his mother to Islam and she in turn used to say terrible things about the Prophet (SAW). Once he came to the Prophet (SAW) with tears in his eyes and asked him:
“O Apostle of Allah! Invoke Allah to guide the mother of Abu Hurairah. He said: O Allah guide the mother of Abu Hurariah. Abu Huraria (RA) immediately went to his mother and she was taking a bath to accept Islam. Al Hadith 4:44:7:128.
Once there was a drought in Medina and a farmer asked the Prophet (SAW) to invoke Allah to send down rain. Although it was a clear bright day, clouds suddenly gathered and it began to rain while his hands were still raised. It rained for the whole week and the following Jumma a farmer said that the rain was causing damage and he asked him to once again invoke Allah. The Prophet (SAW) raised up his hands and said: “O Allah! Around us and not on us.” It stopped raining in Medina but it continued raining in the surrounding catchment areas for a month. Al Hadith 4:44:7:134.
When the day of the battle of Tabuk came to pass. The people were affected by acute hunger. Hazrath Omar (RA) said: O Apostle of Allah! Call from everyone the excess of their provisions and then invoke Allah’s blessings on it. Al Hadith 4:44:7:145 After they had accumulated what little they had on a skin, The Apostle of Allah invoked and asked blessings and then told his companions to fill up their vessels. The whole battalion ate till their full and there was excess remaining…” Al Hadith 4:44:7:145.
Even after an intercessor has passed away people can still use that which is associated with the intercessor to ask Allah Subhanatallah to fulfill their needs.
“…and take you the Station of Abraham (AS) as a place of prayer…” 2:125.
The station of Abraham (AS) is a rock on which is embedded his footprints. We assemble and pray to Allah Subhanatallah on the planes of Arafaath at the foot of “Jable Rahmath” because this was the place where Hazrath Adam (AS) was forgiven? Even the sacred Ark of the Covenant contained clothing of Hazrath Moosa (AS) & Hazrath Haroon (AS) was used as a means of intercession and blessings.
“A sign of His authority is that there shall come to you the Ark of the Covenant …and the relics left by the family of Moosa (AS) and the family of Haroon (AS), carried by angels…” 2:248 Etc.
Not accepting the Prophets and the saints as intercessors results from pride and is the same as Shaitaan’s rejection of Hazrath Adam (AS). Shaitaan had pride and he did not want to bow down to another better creation because he thought that he was the best. Although he recognized the sovereignty of Allah and prayed to Him he still could not accept that someone else was better than him. Because he had pride and could not accept this, he was made the outcast.
“And He (Allah) listens to those who believe and do deeds of righteousness…” 42:26.
There are logical explanation as to why this is like the way it is but it is never discussed by a spiritual guide except to his close companions that are worthy of such knowledge.
Peace and salutations be upon Allah’s Messengers who are responsible for guiding humanity throughout time. Ameen.
Published by Anjuman e Waris e Mohammedi.
Anjuman e Waris e Mohammedi was founded by Dr/Hakim Hazrath Khwaja Sayed Shareef Ahmed Ali Shah RA, (lovingly known as Hazrath Poona Wale Shah Saib RA).
Author: Mahomed Hassan Gaffoor
His WhatsApp: +27 84 910 1486
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