What is intercession in Islam?
Intercession (shafa'ah) is when Allah allows someone, such as the Prophet ﷺ, to ask Him on behalf of others on the Day of Judgement. It only happens with Allah's permission and for people He is pleased with, so it is a gift of His mercy, not a way around Him.
Only with Allah's permission
In Islam, nobody can force Allah's hand or buy anyone's way into Paradise. Intercession is real, but it is fully under Allah's control. He chooses who may intercede and for whom.
This is why Muslims don't pray to saints, prophets or the dead to save them. We ask Allah directly, and we ask Him to grant us the intercession of the Prophet ﷺ.
The great intercession
On the Day of Judgement, people will be in such distress that they go from one prophet to the next, Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses and Jesus, asking each to plead with Allah to begin the judgement. Each one excuses himself, until they come to the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. He prostrates before Allah and is told to raise his head and intercede, and his request is granted (Sahih al-Bukhari 4712). This is the "praised station" that Muslims mention in the dua after the adhan.
The Prophet ﷺ also said that every prophet had one special dua that was answered, and he saved his for intercession for his ummah on that day (Sahih al-Bukhari 6304).
Who else can intercede?
- The Prophet ﷺ for believers who committed major sins (Sunan Abi Dawud 4739).
- The Quran. "Read the Quran, for it will come on the Day of Resurrection as an intercessor for its companions" (Sahih Muslim 804).
- Angels, prophets and righteous believers, with Allah's permission (Quran 20:109).
How to hope for it
When asked who would be most fortunate with his intercession, the Prophet ﷺ said: whoever says "La ilaha illa Allah" sincerely from the heart (Sahih al-Bukhari 99). He also promised his intercession to anyone who says the dua after the adhan (Sahih al-Bukhari 614). Sending blessings on him regularly also builds that connection. See How do I send salawat on the Prophet?
In this life, asking a living person to make dua for you is a lighter form of the same idea, and it is allowed. See Can I ask other people to make dua for me?
- Intercession is asking Allah on behalf of others, only with His permission.
- The Prophet ﷺ will make the great intercession for all people.
- The Quran, angels and righteous believers may also intercede.
- Sincere tawhid is the key to receiving it.
People also ask
What is barzakh?
Barzakh is the in-between stage after death and before the Resurrection, where every soul waits. What happens there and what still reaches you.
Read the full answer →What is the Hawd of the Prophet?
The Hawd is the Prophet's pool on the Day of Judgement: water whiter than milk, and one drink ends thirst forever. Its link with al-Kawthar.
Read the full answer →What is the Mizan in Islam?
The Mizan in Islam is the scale that weighs every deed on the Day of Judgement. What makes it heavy: dhikr, good character and sincere faith.
Read the full answer →What is the Sirat bridge?
The Sirat bridge is set over hell on the Day of Judgement, and everyone crosses it to Paradise at a speed set by their deeds. What hadith say.
Read the full answer →What is the Day of Judgement in Islam?
The Day of Judgement in Islam is when Allah raises everyone from the dead and judges their deeds. How it begins, what happens, and why it matters.
Read the full answer →