The Prophet’s Intercession (Shafa’ah) is one of the most profound and comforting beliefs in Islam. As a fundamental principle of faith regarding the Last Day among mainstream Sunni Muslims (Ahl al-Sunnah wal Jama’ah), the belief in the Prophet’s Intercession on the Day of Resurrection highlights the unique and exalted status granted exclusively to Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. This belief includes seeking his intercession for all people gathered at the place of standing to commence the final judgment.

This belief includes seeking the Prophet’s ﷺ intercession for all people gathered at the place of standing to commence the final judgment. This profound privilege was granted exclusively to Prophet Muhammad ﷺ over all other prophets.

This general intercession for humanity is known as the Praised Station (Al-Maqam Al-Mahmud), which Allah Almighty promised him in the Quran:

{It may be that your Lord will raise you to a Praised Station} [Al-Isra: 79].

The Messenger of Allah ﷺ commanded Muslims to ask Allah to grant him this station after every Adhan (call to prayer). As reported in Sahih Al-Bukhari, whoever makes this supplication will be permitted the Prophet’s intercession on the Day of Judgment. But what exactly is the story behind this great intercession?

The Hadith of the Great Intercession (Al-Shafa’ah Al-Udhma)

Imam Muslim narrated in his Sahih a foundational Hadith regarding the Great Intercession. Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:

“I am the master of the people on the Day of Resurrection. Do you know why that is? Allah will gather the first and the last on the Day of Resurrection on one vast plain, so that the caller’s voice will reach them all and the onlooker will see them all. The sun will draw near, and the people will suffer such distress and trouble as they will not be able to bear. Some people will say to others: ‘Do you not see what you are in? Will you not look for someone who can intercede for you with your Lord?'”

Humanity Seeks Help from the Prophets

In their immense distress, humanity will approach the greatest Prophets of Allah seeking help, but each will excuse themselves out of awe of Allah’s unprecedented wrath on that Day:

  • Adam (Peace Be Upon Him): The people will ask Adam, the father of mankind, to intercede. Adam will reply: “My Lord has become angry today as He has never become angry before… He forbade me from the tree, but I disobeyed Him. Myself, myself! Go to someone else. Go to Noah.”
  • Noah (Peace Be Upon Him): The people will approach Noah, the first messenger to the earth. Noah will reply: “My Lord has become angry today as He has never become angry before… I had a supplication which I made against my people. Myself, myself! Go to Abraham.”
  • Abraham (Peace Be Upon Him): They will ask Abraham, the Khalil (intimate friend) of Allah. Abraham will mention times he used ambiguous truths to defend the faith, out of deep humility, and reply: “Myself, myself! Go to someone else. Go to Moses.”
  • Moses (Peace Be Upon Him): They will go to Moses, who spoke directly to Allah. Recalling the soul he accidentally killed before his prophethood, he will say: “Myself, myself! Go to Jesus.”
  • Jesus (Peace Be Upon Him): They will plead with Jesus, the Word and Spirit from Allah. Jesus will not mention any sin but will still say: “My Lord has become angry today as He has never become angry before… Myself, myself! Go to Muhammad ﷺ.”

The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ Intercedes

The Hadith continues with the people finally coming to Prophet Muhammad ﷺ:

“So they will come to me and say: ‘O Muhammad! You are the Messenger of Allah and the Seal of the Prophets… Intercede for us with your Lord.’ So I will go and come under the Throne and fall in prostration to my Lord. Then Allah will open up to me and inspire me with some of His praises… Then it will be said: ‘O Muhammad! Raise your head. Ask, and you will be given. Intercede, and your intercession will be accepted.’ So I will raise my head and say: ‘O Lord! My Ummah (nation)! My Ummah!'”

Allah will then command the Prophet ﷺ to admit into Paradise those of his Ummah who have no account to render. Furthermore, subsequent narrations in Al-Bukhari explain that the Prophet ﷺ will return to intercede multiple times, eventually bringing out of the Hellfire anyone who has even a mustard seed of faith in their heart.

Explanation of the Great Intercession

The Meaning of the “Master of the People”

When the Prophet ﷺ states, “I am the master of the people on the Day of Resurrection,” it refers to his role as the ultimate refuge in times of hardship. While he is the master of the people in this world as well, the Day of Resurrection is specifically mentioned because his mastery on that Day will be absolute and undisputed. All of humanity, from Adam down to the last person, will be under his banner.

The Excuses of the Prophets

The Hadith beautifully illustrates the perfection of Prophet Muhammad’s ﷺ rank. The intercession is offered to the greatest Prophets, yet all of them decline out of immense reverence for Allah’s majesty on that Day.

  • Abraham’s “Untruths”: Islamic scholars clarify that Abraham did not tell malicious lies; rather, he used strategic statements (like telling his people the “largest idol” smashed the others to prove idols cannot speak) to debate his people and defend monotheism. However, the terror of the Day of Judgment makes him fear even these defensive tactics.
  • Jesus’ Exoneration: Jesus mentions no sin, but according to other authentic narrations, he will express humility because he was falsely worshipped as a deity alongside Allah by some of his followers.

The 5 Types of Intercession on the Day of Resurrection

The concept of Shafa’ah is logically possible and obligatorily believed through Islamic revelation. According to the consensus of Ahl al-Sunnah, intercession is divided into five distinct categories:

  1. The Great Intercession (Relief from the Standing): Exclusive to Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. This is the intercession to relieve humanity from the terror of the Standing and to expedite the final judgment.
  2. Entering Paradise Without Reckoning: Also exclusive to Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. He will intercede for a group of his followers to enter Paradise without facing the judgment. Additionally, he will intercede for the gates of Paradise to be opened for the believers.
  3. Intercession for Those Deserving Hellfire: Intercession for believers whose sins warrant Hellfire, asking that they be spared from entering it. Both the Prophet ﷺ and others whom Allah permits will partake in this.
  4. Bringing Sinners Out of Hellfire: Interceding for monotheists who entered Hellfire due to their sins to be removed from it. The Prophets, angels, and righteous believers will intercede, and eventually, Allah will remove anyone who sincerely said “La ilaha illallah” (There is no deity worthy of worship but Allah).
  5. Elevating Ranks in Paradise: Interceding to elevate the status of believers in Paradise. For instance, elevating family members to join their righteous relatives in higher ranks, as supported by Quranic verses (At-Tur: 21).

By Idris Ahmad

Read more at the original source:The Story of the Prophet’s Intercession (Peace Be Upon Him) – IslamOnline