Fatwa ID: 04746

Answered by: Mufti Muhammad Imad Ali

Question

Please correct me if my understanding or interpretation regarding Rasulullah’s (SAW) intercession on the Day of Judgement is correct. Many Muslims think of it no different than the Christians think of Prophet Isa (AS)’s alleged and false crucifixion. They think no matter how many sins they have committed, they will be saved on the Day of Judgement due to Prophet (SAW)’s intercession.

The Prophet’s (SAW) intercession does NOT mean everyone will be saved from Jahanam otherwise, this contradicts and negates many Qur’anic very, and authentic Ahadith, but it means some may be saved while other’s sentences in Janaham will be reduced, somewhat.

Is this correct?

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

Answer

It is the belief of the Ahlus Sunnah Wal Jamat that on the Day of Judgement the good people will intercede by the permission of Allah (SWA) on behalf of the evil ones.  Allah will grant permission to the Prophets, Scholars, Martyrs and angels to make representations on behalf of the Muslims.  The first permission in this respect will be given to the Prophet of Allah Sallallahu Alahi Wasalam, who will be asked to intercede by the entire population of the world.

It should be understood that there would be various stages where the Prophet of Allah Sallallahu Alahi Wasalam will be making intercession.  The first of these, known as Shafaat-e-kubra will be on the plains of resurrection.  The second intercession will be for ease at the reckoning and questioning.  The third intercession will be on behalf of those sinners upon whom the order for punishment had been decreed so that they may be forgiven and not thrown into Hell.  The fourth intercession will be for those who have already been thrown into Hell and it will be for their removal.  The fifth intercession will be for the raising of the stages of some of the believers.  (Aqaaidul Islam p.122-p.123)

Saaiduna Uthmaan Radiallahu Anhu narrates that the Prophet of Allah Sallallahu Alahi Wasalam has said: “On the Day of Judgement, the blessed prophets will be the first to intercede on behalf of the sinners, then the scholars and then the martyrs”.  (Sunan Ibn Majah & Sunan Baihaqi)

Saaiduna Ibn Umar Radiallahu Anhu narrates that the Prophet of Allah Sallallahu Alahi Wasalam has said that an Aalim (scholar) will be told that he could intercede on behalf of his disciples even if their number matches the number of stars”.  (Sunan Dailami)

Saaiduna Abu Dardah Radiallahu Anhu narrates that the Prophet of Allah Sallallahu Alahi Wasalam has said, “Intercession made by a shahid (martyr) will be accepted in favour of 70 people of his family”.  (Sunan Abi Dawud)

The Prophet of Allah Sallallahu Alahi Wasalam has said “Whoever reads the Holy Quran and memorises it, while he regards what it makes lawful as lawful and it’s unlawful as forbidden, Allah will admit him into Jannah and will accept his intercession on behalf of ten such persons of his family who were doomed to the Fire of Hell”.  (Sunan Tirmizi)

From the aforementioned discussion, we can understand that a person who is destined to be in Hell, a person like a scholar, hafiz or martyr can intercede for him.  Similarly, a person who is in a low-level paradise can go or visit a high-level paradise.

Only Allah knows best.

Written by Mufti Muhammad Imad Ali

Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah

Darul Ifta Birmingham