Shafa’a (Intercession)

Answered by Sidi Faraz Rabbani

Question. The Prophet�s Intercession and Rank in Paradise (may Allah bless him and give him peace) RE: What is the definition of maqam al-mahmood and maqam al waseela? What are the differences between the two?

Walaikum assalam,

The praised station (al-maqam al-mahmud) is the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace)�s intercession. The station of mediation (maqam al-wasila) is a rank in Paradise that no one but the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) shall reach.

In Sahih al-Bukhari:

Jabir ibn Abd Allah (Allah be pleased with him) reports that the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace be upon him) said, �Whoever says the following after hearing the call to prayer deserves my intercession (shafa`a)  on the Day of Judgment: �O Allah, Lord of this perfect call and ready prayer! Grant Muhammad the mediation (wasila)and honor, and resurrect him on the praised station that your have promised him.��

Imam Badr al-Din al-`Ayni (Allah have mercy on him) explains this hadith in his commentary on Sahih al-Bukhari, `Umdat al-Qari:

(Mediation � wasila) Its linguistic sense is the means of drawing closer to another, and a rank with a king� A hadith in Sahih Muslim explained this as being a rank in Paradise� �Then ask Allah to grant me the mediation (wasila), for it is a rank in Paradise that none but a single servant of Allah�s servants deserves, and I hope that it be me, so whoever asks Allah that he grant me the mediation shall have my intercession.� �

(Praised station � maqaman mahmudan) Ibn al-Jawzi said that most scholars hold this to mean the [major] intercession� [Ayni, Umdat al-Qari, 5.123-124]

This intercession is of various types, including the major intercession at the Gathering, where he (Allah bless him & give him peace, and grant us his intercession and concern) will intercede for all humanity and jinns to lessen the dreads of the Day of Resurrection.

The Prophet�s Intercessions Are Many

These major intercessions are 6:

1. Lessening the dreads of the Day of Resurrection;

2. Entering some people into Paradise without reckoning; these two are said to be particular to the Prophet (Allah bless him & give him peace);

3. For some who deserved punishment in the Fire;

4. Taking out some who actually entered the Fire;

5. Raising the ranks of those in Paradise;

6. Lessening the punishment of those eternally in the Fire, such as Abu Talib and others.

[Khadimi, al-Bariqa al-Mahmudiyya fi Sharh al-Tariqa al-Muhammadiyya, 1.78, quoting Qastallani, Laqani, and Suyuti]

Wassalam,
Faraz Rabbani

 Few more Fatwas on this topic below:

http://www.sunnipath.com/resources/Questions/QA00000103.aspx
http://www.sunnipath.com/resources/Questions/QA00003848.aspx
http://www.sunnipath.com/resources/Questions/qa00003672.aspx

Rehmat wrote: Only a Zionist would know better than me - don't you agree?

Rehmat,

This zionist obsession of yours - you are most welcome to harbor. However, you have annoyed too many ppl with this in too little time. People are not wrong in complaining. Even a slight stimulation as above brought u to square one.

All threads started by you, and all posts sent by you in threads started by others where you implicate people as zionists will go to the conspiracy bin.  If this does not give you the message you are unwelcome to break the peace on the forums, there is worse to come.

Nausheen

        

Rehmat wrote: Contrary to that the Salafi and Wahhabi believe that even the Prophet (pbuh), may or may not be allowed by Allah to intercede on the Day of Judgment.

 This is the zionist theory of Wahabbis

Rehmat, nice shift of interests.  So what would be next on the  agenda?

Edited by Nausheen

Bro Rehmat,

I think, request for forgiveness (not interceding) would be by all Prophets and not specifically by Prophet Mohammad, but only when Allah grant them permission to do so, and that too, in certain cases only and not in general. Having said that, it is to be kept in mind that this is kind of prophesy and how much literal meanings need to attached to it, no one knows except Allah. However, when it comes to interpreting this prophesy, many people stretch its meaning beyond the principles of Islamic Idealogy of One God. This is where the shirk starts to pour into their ideas. May Allah forgive me if I am wrong, but I would say that there is no distinction between the Prophets and we can't raise or lower a prophet from the others. For us, all are equal and require our equal respect. However, since we know more about Prophet Mohammad that is why we talk more about him, listen more about him and replicate more of his actions than any other prophet. Bottom line, mere good deeds may not gaurentee Janah (on the basis of demand for perfect justice by the individual) but through Allah's mercy only, which may come in different forms. One of these forms could be allowing the Prophets to come and request for an individual, if he deserves it. This is how persceive it but of course Allah knows the best.