Fath al-Rabbani

Benefits: … The Noble Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam will be the first to intercede on the Day of Gathering, and his intercession will be the first to be accepted. The subject of the upcoming chapters is intercession (shafa‘ah); we clarify the reality of this matter below:

Someone has beautifully said:
مَا لِلْعِبَادِ عَلَیْہِ حَقٌّ وَّاجِبٗ کَلَّا، وَلَا سَعْیَ لَدَیْہِ ضَـائِعٗ
اِنْ عُذِّبُوْا فَبِعَدْلِہٖ، اَوْ نُعِّمُوْا فَبِفَضْلِہٖ وَھُوَ الْکَرِیْمُ السَّامِعٗ

There is no obligatory right of the servants upon Allah. Never! But their effort and striving is also not wasted with Him. If people are punished, it will be due to His justice, and if they are rewarded, it will be due to His grace. Thus, He is the Most Generous, the All-Hearing.

The concept of intercession is clear among us: the one who intercedes is looked upon with such reverence that even the poor person who accepts the intercession and fulfills our needs does not receive such honor. This is a commonality between this world and the Hereafter: through intercession, the status and rank of the intercessor increases.

However, it should be clearly and fundamentally understood that, in this world, most intercessors use their influence and authority to have their word accepted, and those before whom intercession is made are compelled to accept it. Whereas, with Allah ta‘ala, the matter is entirely the opposite: Allah ta‘ala Himself will select the intercessor and then set a limit for him. This subject is repeated at several places in the Noble Qur’an. The Exalted Lord says:

{مَنْ ذَا الَّذِیْ یَشْفَعُ عِنْدَہٗ اِلَّا بِاِذْنِہٖ} (Surah al-Baqarah: 255) … Who is it that can intercede with Him except by His permission?

In another place, it is stated:

{لَا یَتَکَلَّمُوْنَ اِلَّا مَنْ اَذِنَ لَہُ الرَّحْمٰنُ وَقَالَ صَوَابًاo} (Surah an-Naba: 78:38) … They will not speak except the one to whom the Most Merciful gives permission, and he will speak what is correct.

This is why the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam will perform a lengthy prostration beneath the Throne of Allah ta‘ala before interceding, and then he will be granted permission by Allah ta‘ala. And in one narration, it is mentioned that Allah ta‘ala will set a limit for him. (See: Musnad Ahmad, Sahih al-Bukhari, Sahih Muslim)

According to the narration of Sahih Muslim, the angels, prophets, and other believers will also intercede, but the selection of the Noble Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam for the Greatest Intercession (shafa‘ah ‘uzma) and other important stations is a sign of his greatness and nobility.

It is this Intercessor of the Gathering, sallallahu alayhi wa sallam, who will intercede first in the Plain of Gathering at such a critical moment when all other prophets and messengers will be anxious and distressed.

Sayyiduna Abu Hurayrah radi Allahu anhu narrates that the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam said: “… and I will be the first for whom the earth will split open, and I will be the first intercessor and the first whose intercession will be accepted.” (Sahih Muslim: 2278)

At this point, it is necessary to present a summary of the discussion of the eighth-century Imam Ibn Abi al-‘Izz al-Hanafi rahimahullah. He says (Sharh al-‘Aqidah al-Tahawiyyah: pp. 197–204): There are eight types of intercession; the first seven are exclusive to the Noble Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam, and in the last type, he sallallahu alayhi wa sallam also has a significant share:

al-Shafa‘ah al-‘Ula: This is the Greatest Intercession (shafa‘ah ‘uzma), which is the exclusive distinction of our Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam. In fact, at that time, the rest of the prophets and messengers will be anxious and calling out “myself, myself.” After this intercession, the reckoning of Allah’s creation will begin.

al-Shafa‘ah al-Thaniyyah and al-Thalithah: The Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam’s intercession for those whose good and bad deeds are equal, and intercession for some people so that they are not entered into Hell, even though a decree of punishment has been issued for them.

al-Shafa‘ah al-Rabi‘ah: The Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam’s intercession for the elevation of the ranks of some people of Paradise.

al-Shafa‘ah al-Khamisah: Intercession for some people so that they may enter Paradise without reckoning. It is possible that this is inferred from the hadith regarding Sayyiduna ‘Ukashah ibn Mihsan radi Allahu anhu.

al-Shafa‘ah al-Sadisah: Intercession for some permanent inhabitants of Hell so that their punishment is lessened, as will be the case with the Prophet’s uncle, Abu Talib.

al-Shafa‘ah al-Sabi‘ah: Intercession for all believers so that their entry into Paradise may begin, as is mentioned in the hadith of Sahih Muslim. Sayyiduna Anas radi Allahu anhu narrates that the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam said: “Indeed, I will be the first intercessor for Paradise.” That is, I will be the first intercessor for entry into Paradise.

al-Shafa‘ah al-Thaminah: Intercession for those who have entered Hell due to major sins. There are mass-transmitted (mutawatir) hadiths on this subject. This is the only type in which other prophets, angels, and believers will also intercede like the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam. The Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam will intercede four times in this regard.