Intercession (Shafa'ah) on the Day of Judgment

Intercession (shafa'ah) on the Day of Judgment is a firmly established belief in Islam, affirmed by the Quran, the Sunnah, and the consensus of Ahl us-Sunnah wal-Jama'ah. The Quran states: "Who is it that can intercede with Him except by His permission?" (Quran 2:255). This verse establishes two principles: intercession exists, but it requires Allah's permission. No one can intercede without Allah's authorization, and Allah will only permit intercession for those He is pleased with: "And they cannot intercede except on behalf of one whom He approves" (Quran 21:28).

The Greatest Intercession (al-Shafa'ah al-Uzma)

The greatest intercession is reserved exclusively for the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). On the Day of Judgment, when humanity has been standing for an unbearably long time under the sun, they will go to each of the prophets, starting with Adam, then Nuh, then Ibrahim, then Musa, then Isa, seeking someone to intercede with Allah to begin the judgment. Each prophet will say "myself, myself" (nafsi, nafsi) and direct them to the next. Finally, they will come to Muhammad (peace be upon him), who will say "I am the one for it" (ana laha). He will prostrate before Allah and be given permission to intercede. This is the Maqam al-Mahmud (the Praiseworthy Station) mentioned in the Quran: "It may be that your Lord will raise you to a Praiseworthy Station" (Quran 17:79).

Other Types of Intercession

The Prophet (peace be upon him) has additional forms of intercession: interceding for the people of Paradise to enter it; interceding for his uncle Abu Talib to have his punishment lightened (from full immersion in fire to a shallow level); interceding to raise the ranks of believers in Paradise; and interceding for sinful Muslims who have entered the Fire to be taken out. The last category is particularly important: the Prophet (peace be upon him) said, "My intercession is for the people of major sins from my ummah" (Sunan Abu Dawud). This is against the Mu'tazilah and Khawarij, who denied that anyone who committed a major sin could leave the Fire.

Who Can Intercede

While the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) has the greatest and most universal intercession, other beings will also intercede by Allah's permission: the other prophets, the angels, the martyrs, the righteous, the Quran itself (the Prophet said: "Recite the Quran, for it will come as an intercessor for its companions on the Day of Judgment," Sahih Muslim), and fasting. The scholars clarify that all intercession belongs ultimately to Allah, who grants or denies it by His will and wisdom. This distinguishes the Islamic understanding of intercession from practices of invoking saints or the dead for intercession, which is rejected by Ahl us-Sunnah as it directs worship to other than Allah.