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    “The most beloved of deeds to Allah are those that are most consistent, even if small.” – Bukhari

Ḥadīth of Intercession: Analysis, Clarification, and Salvation of Ahl al-Fatrah

❀ The Three Core Discussions in the Ḥadīth of Intercession — Explanation, Refutation of Objection, and Salvation ❀
Adapted from: Fatāwā Shaykh al-Ḥadīth Mubārakpūrī, Vol. 1, Page 144

❖ Question:​


What is the explanation of the ḥadīth:
«شفعت الملائکة وشفع النبيون…»?


✿ Answer:​


الحمد لله، والصلاة والسلام علىٰ رسول الله، أما بعد!


① Text of the Ḥadīth and References​


«شفعت الملائکة، وشفع النبيون، وشفع المؤمنون، ولم يبق إلا أرحم الراحمين، فيقبض قبضة من النار، فيخرج منها قوماً لم يعملوا خيراً قط…»
(Bukhārī with Fatḥ al-Bārī – Kitāb al-Tawḥīd, Bāb: The Saying of Allah: "وُجُوهٌ يَوْمَئِذٍ نَاضِرَةٌ" (7439), 13/421; Muslim – Kitāb al-Īmān, Bāb: Recognition of the Path of Vision (183), 1/167. The wording is from Muslim.)


General Commentary by Ḥadīth Scholars


– The interpretation presented by well-known commentators of ḥadīth is regarded as valid and correct in this context.
– The application of this narration to those “monotheists of the era of ignorance”, or to those who recognized God through intellect and nature (assuming they are not Ahl al-Fatrah), is inapplicable, because:


→ The ḥadīth negates the performance of any righteous deed whatsoever, including:
– Declaration and conviction in Tawḥīd through a Prophet, or
– Acknowledgement of God through reason and natural disposition without a prophetic intermediary.


Refutation of the Objection


Objection Raised:
The word "خَيْرًا" is nakirah (indefinite) and comes in the context of negation, which implies generalization (i.e., absolute denial of any good deed).


Response:
– This is a known principle in Usūl:


"There is no general statement except that it is subject to exception—
except the verses: ‘Indeed Allah is over all things competent’ and ‘We have created everything according to a measure’."



– Therefore, considering other sound ḥadīths, what is negated here is all acts of the heart and limbs except for acknowledgment and affirmation of Tawḥīd and Prophethood.


Ahl al-Fatrah and Their Salvation


Monotheists from Ahl al-Fatrah (people who lived in an interval between prophets) will surely be granted salvation, based on the verse:


"وما كنا معذبين حتى نبعث رسولا"
“And We do not punish [any people] until We have sent a messenger.”


– However, their salvation will not occur in the manner you may have assumed.


– As per reports:
→ They will be tested on the Day of Judgement:
→ A command will be issued for them to enter the fire.
Those who obey will be saved, and those who refuse will perish.


ھذا ما عندي، والله أعلم بالصواب
 
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