Intercession (Shafaat) in the light of HOLY QURAN
By Dr. Kamran Khan

DISCLAIMER: In writing this article, the author has taken the context of each ayah in consideration during discussion. If you disagree with anything please leave a comment and I will try to respond to the best of my ability. This is not a verdict on something, ONLY ALLAH KNOWS THE BEST.

Rather this is an open minded analysis of ayahs on Shafaat without any bias, by the author to the best of their knowledge and ability at the current time (may ALLAH forgive me if anything isleading has gone in this article)

Introduction
Dear brothers and sisters, there are very few things which have divided opinion and have been misinterpreted more than the concept of shafaat in Islam. Not only this, the ayah’s on shafaat are used by opponents of islam to prove that there are contradictions in Quran and hence this cannot be word of God Almighty.

On one hand a group of us believes that Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) will intercede on the behalf of all Muslims and save us from the fire of hell and on the other hand some of us say that intercession is not possible for anybody.
The former opinion draws a parallel with the Christian concept of salvation by Jesus and it is goes completely against the Allah’s doctrine of judgement on the balance of our good and bad deeds as in the following ayahs from Al Qari’ah (101:6-9) and innumerable other ayahs in the Holy Quran.

Then as for him whose balance (of good deeds) will be heavy (101:6)
He will live a pleasant life (in Paradise) (101:7)
But as for him whose balance (of good deeds) will be light (101:8)
He will have his home in Hawiyah (pit, i.e. Hell) (101:9)

While the later opinion goes against ayahs like in Taha (20:109) where Allah says intercession will be possible. These same ayahs are used by the first group as a basis to claim that Holy Prophet Mohammad (PBUH), Auliyah, and Ahl-e-Bayt will intercede on our behalf.

That Day, no intercession will benefit except [that of] one to whom the Most Merciful has given permission and has accepted his word (20:109)
At the same time this opinion is based on numerous ayahs which say categorically that there is no possibility of intercession in front of Allah, like the following ayah of Surah Baqarah (2):48.
And fear a Day (of Judgement) when a person shall not avail another, nor will intercession be accepted from him nor will compensation be taken from him nor will they be helped (2:48)

Understanding the concept of Shafaat
I am a student of religion, and let me share with you what I have understood. To grasp what is intercession and who will intercede on the behalf of whom; we need to take a logical and deductive step by step approach after a thorough study of this subject in Holy Quran.
Step 1: Is there a contradiction in Quran?
If anybody believes that there is a contradiction in Quran then they need to look at this ayah from surah Nisa (4:82) categorically saying that there cannot be contradictions in the words of Allah

Do they not then consider the Quran carefully? Had it been from other than Allah, they would surely have found therein much contradictions (4:82)

Step 2: If there are no contradictions in Quran then why are there some ayahs saying there is no intercession and others saying there is intercession ONLY when Allah allows?
As in step 1 we have concluded that there could be no contradiction in the words of Allah, then surely Allah is talking about two different types of Intercession or shafaat.
1. Unconditional intercession – by deities, Allah’s partners (idols) and anybody we believe might intercede on our behalf like Auliyah etc.
2. Conditional intercession – by those on the day of judgement: who Allah gives permission to, and in the favour of those who Allah is happy with.
Unconditional Intercession – by deities, Allah’s partners (idols) and anybody we believe might intercede on our behalf like auliyah etc.
If we believe that somebody would intercede on our behalf, then this type of intercession is absolutely not possible. Allah has categorically refuted this concept in numerous ayahs and in various contexts.

A. Allah telling Bani Israel there will be no intercession
Starting with addressing Bani Israel, in al Baqara (2:48) and (2:123) with slight differences of wording, Allah is telling them that if they believe somebody will intercede for them to save them from fire on the day of judgement, it will not be possible at all. This seems to be refuting some specific belief the Jews might have had then about intercession.

And fear a Day when no soul will suffice for another soul at all, nor will intercession be accepted from it, nor will compensation be taken from it, nor will they be aided (2:48)
And fear a Day when no soul will suffice for another soul at all, and no compensation will be accepted from it, nor will any intercession benefit it, nor will they be aided (2:123)

B. Allah telling Muslims not to rely on any intercession
In al Baqara (2:254), while specifically addressing Muslims Allah is telling them not only to do good deeds to earn heaven but also saying that they cannot rely on any kind of intercession.

O you who have believed, spend from that which We have provided for you before there comes a Day in which there is no exchange and no friendship and no intercession. And the disbelievers – they are the wrongdoers (2:254)

Again in surah Al Anaam (6:51) Allah is telling holy prophet Mohammad (PBUH) to tell people to do good deeds and not to rely on any intercession.

And warn by the Qur’an those who fear that they will be gathered before their Lord -for them besides Him will be no protector and no intercessor – that they might become righteous (6:51)

C. No intercession by deities, idols or any other SHURAKA (partners of ALLAH)
In Yasin (36:23), Zumar (3943), Anaam (6:94), Yunus (10:18), Rum (30:13), Momin (40:18) and Shu’ara (26:100) Allah is talking about those who make other deities for worship and CATEGORICALLY refutes that no such entity or person will be able to intercede on anybody’s behalf.

Should I take other than Him [false] deities [while], if the Most Merciful intends for me some adversity, their intercession will not avail me at all, nor can they save me? (36:23)
Or have they taken other than Allah as intercessors? Say, “Even though they do not possess [power over] anything, nor do they reason? (39:43)
[It will be said to them], “And you have certainly come to Us alone as We created you the first time, and you have left whatever We bestowed upon you behind you. And We do not see with you your ‘intercessors’ which you claimed that they were among you associates [of Allah]. It has [all] been severed between you, and lost from you is what you used to claim.”(6:94)
Indeed, your Lord is Allah , who created the heavens and the earth in six days and then established Himself above the Throne, arranging the matter [of His creation]. There is no intercessor except after His permission. That is Allah , your Lord, so worship Him. Then will you not remember? (10:18)
And there will not be for them among their [alleged] partners any intercessors, and they will [then] be disbelievers in their partners (30:13)
And warn them, [O Muhammad], of the Approaching Day, when hearts are at the throats, filled [with distress]. For the wrongdoers there will be no devoted friend and no intercessor [who is] obeyed (40:18)
So now we have no intercessors (26:100)

Conditional Intercession – by Allah’s permission
This is the second type of intercession which Allah is permitted. Things start to get complicated here, but let’s take a step by step approach again.

A. Why it is only Allah’s prerogative (exclusive right) to allow or disallow intercession
We can find following two reasons for this exclusive right of almighty in the Holy Quran.

1. Allah the CREATOR, who else has the right to intercede or allow intercession

In surah Zumar (39:44) following on from ayah 43 (as mentioned earlier) denying that no deity can intercede, ALLAH goes on to say that all rights to allow intercession only and only belong to him. In Yunus (10:3) and Sajdah (32:4) Allah as the creator has the absolute power to allow intercession.

Say, “To Allah belongs [the right to allow] intercession entirely. To Him belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth. Then to Him you will be returned.”(39:44)
Indeed, your Lord is Allah, who created the heavens and the earth in six days and then established Himself above the Throne, arranging the matter [of His creation]. There is no intercessor except after His permission. That is Allah, your Lord, so worship Him. Then will you not remember? (10:3)
It is Allah who created the heavens and the earth and whatever is between them in six days; then He established Himself above the Throne. You have not besides Him any protector or any intercessor; so will you not be reminded? (32:4)

2. Absolute knowledge of present and past needed for SHAFAAT
In order for anybody to intercede it is ESSENTIAL that they have a complete and absolute knowledge of EVERTHING (all the good and bad deeds) about the person they would like to intercede for. All Muslims believe without a doubt that it is only Allah who has this knowledge hence it is only HIM who can allow intercession. Baqara (2:255), Taha (20:109 – 110) and Anbiya (21:28) are three places in Holy Quran where Allah’s prerogative to allow intercession is linked with ‘ya lamu ma baina aidihim wa ma khalfahum’.

God exists. There is no God but He, the Everlasting and the Guardian of life. Drowsiness or sleep do not seize him. To Him belongs all that is in the heavens and the earth. No one can intercede with Him for others except by His permission. He knows about people’s present and past. No one can grasp anything from His knowledge besides what He has permitted them to grasp. The heavens and the earth are under His dominion. He does not experience fatigue in preserving them both. He is the Highest and the Greatest (2:255)
That Day, no intercession will benefit except [that of] one to whom the Most Merciful has given permission and has accepted his word (20:109)
Allah knows what is [presently] before them and what will be after them, but they do not encompass it in knowledge (20:110)
He knows what is before them, and what is behind them, and they cannot intercede except for him with whom He is pleased. And they stand in awe for fear of Him (21:28)

Conclusions so far

1. There is no unconditional intercession 2. There is conditional intercession
Step 3. Understanding Conditional intercession

In order to understand this we need to find out what Allah has indicated in Holy Quran about who is allowed to intercede for whom (beneficiaries).
1. Who is allowed to intercede (Shafayeen)
In surah Anbiyaaa (21:26-28), while Allah is talking about a prophet who people believe is son of Allah, most likely Jesus. Allah says that such prophet has no right to intercede on his own, but might be granted such a right by Allah. To the best of my knowledge these ayahs seems to be exclusive to the prophet who people believe is son of Allah and does not include others but ONLY ALLAH KNOWS THE BEST.
They said, “The Beneficent God has given birth to a son. He is too Exalted to give birth to a son.” (Those whom they think are God’s sons) are only His honorable servants (21:26)
These servants do not speak before He speaks. They simply act according to His orders (21:27)
He knows what is before them, and what is behind them, and they cannot intercede except for him with whom He is pleased. And they stand in awe for fear of Him (21:28)

Further, in surah Maryam (19:87) Allah is saying that somebody might be able to intercede only if Allah had promised them to do so. It is not clear who that might be but immediately next ayah speaks about Christians, and ONLY ALLAH KNOWS THE ACCURATE MEANING OF THIS AYAH.
None shall have the power of intercession, but such a one as has received permission (or promise) from the Most Beneficent (Allah) (19:87)
They have said that the Beneficent God has given birth to a son (19:88)

In surah Najm (53:26) Allah says that there will be angels waiting to intercede but they will not be able to do this without Allah’s permission, and, for the person Allah is happy with. This is more easily understandable as Angels are living and they might have the knowledge about the deeds of a person, compared to a belief that somebody who has died before our times would have any knowledge about our deeds.

And how many angels there are in the heavens whose intercession will not avail at all except [only] after Allah has permitted [it] to whom He wills and approves (53:26)

I have not been able to find any further specific indications in Quran about who else might be allowed to intercede and ALLAH in all his wisdom has full right to Allow any of be Prophets or Angels to intercede, and ALMIGHTY KNOWS THE BEST.

But in surah Zukhruf (43:86) Allah is saying that nobody people ask for intercession could help, because to be able to intercede one has to have true knowledge and be able to give a true testimony. Again only ALLAH KNOWS THE BEST who he judges to have true knowledge to give a true testimony.

And those they invoke besides Him do not possess [power of] intercession; but only those who testify to the truth [can benefit], and they know (43:86)

2. Who can benefit from intercession

It is absolutely clear from the following ayahs in Surah Anbiyaa (21:28), Saba (34:23), Najam (53:26) that Allah would need to be happy with the person who would be a beneficiary of intercession by somebody who Allah has allowed to intercede.

He knows what is before them, and what is behind them, and they cannot intercede except for him with whom He is pleased. And they stand in awe for fear of Him (21:28)
And intercession does not benefit with Him except for one whom He permits. [And those wait] until, when terror is removed from their hearts, they will say [to one another], “What has your Lord said?” They will say, “The truth.” And He is the Most High, the Grand (34:23)
And how many angels there are in the heavens whose intercession will not avail at all except [only] after Allah has permitted [it] to whom He wills and approves (53:26)
3. Who cannot benefit from intercession
Contrary to a popular belief that any prophet will be able to save his people once they have been punished in hell, it is clear in Holy Quran that this is not possible as stated in Zumr (39:19)

Is, then one against whom the Word of punishment justified (equal to the one who avoids evil). Will you (O Muhammad SAW) rescue him who is in the Fire? (39:19)

In surah Mudhatir (74:48) Araaf (7:53) Allah is saying that the wrongdoers in hell will not benefit from any intercession.

So there will not benefit them the intercession of [any] intercessors (74:48)
Do they await except its result? The Day its result comes those who had ignored it before will say, “The messengers of our Lord had come with the truth, so are there [now] any intercessors to intercede for us or could we be sent back to do other than we used to do?” They will have lost themselves, and lost from them is what they used to invent (7:53)

In surah Anaam (6:70) Allah is asking Holy Prophet (PBUH) to teach people Quran without which any intercessor will not be able to save them, if they continued their wrongdoings.

And leave those who take their religion as amusement and diversion and whom the worldly life has deluded. But remind with the Qur’an, lest a soul be given up to destruction for what it earned; it will have other than Allah no protector and no intercessor. And if it should offer every compensation, it would not be taken from it. Those are the ones who are given to destruction for what they have earned. For them will be a drink of scalding water and a painful punishment because they used to disbelieve (6:70)

Step 4. Is it permissible to pray for intercession to somebody?

To the best of my understanding this falls under the category of shirk as Allah has clearly said in above Ayah’s that it is only his prerogative to allow somebody to intercede and he has not named any prophet or angel in particular (except an indication about Jesus). Such a prayer is like holding somebody equal to Allah. Shirk will never be forgiven by Allah is proven by the following ayahs Bani Israel (17:56-57) and Nisa (4:116)

(Muhammad), tell them, “Seek help from those whom you consider equal to God. They are not able to remove or change your hardships (17:56)
Those whom they worship seek to find intercessors for themselves with God. (They try to find out which of the intercessors) are closer to God. They have hope for His mercy and fear of His punishment; the punishment of your Lord is awesome (17:57)
God will not forgive the sin of considering something equal to Him, but He may forgive the other sins of whomever He wants. One who considers anything equal to God has certainly gone far away from the right path (4:116)

Final Conclusions
Dear brothers and sisters, Allah asks us to think about our religion and Holy Quran, with this in mind and the above ayahs I leave you to decide who can do shafaat for whom. When you are thinking of getting shafaat by somebody please keep the following in mind.

Are my deeds good enough that Allah will be happy ‘RAAZI’ with me and allow somebody to intercede for me?

If weight of my deeds is such that I might end up in Fire then there will be nobody to save me!

Surely I cannot pray to somebody directly for shafaat as this is a sin equivalent to SHIRK, which is unforgiveable.

So if I cannot pray for shafaat to anybody directly and leave it as an exclusive right of Allah to allow shafaat for me (if at all I deserve it) then I should spend my life making Allah happy rather than trying to get somebody’s shafaat.

Finally, if I come across ahadith about shafaat, I should cross check them against the Quranic verses above as the only test of authenticity of any hadith is Quran and Quran only.

May Allah help us understand Quran and live a life of a true Muslim

Views: 4783