❀ 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
What is the explanation of the ḥadīth:
«شفعت الملائکة وشفع النبيون…»?
الحمد لله، والصلاة والسلام علىٰ رسول الله، أما بعد!
«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.)
– 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.
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.
– 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
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.)
② 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.
③ 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.
④ 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