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Mansur
Ahmad
Intercession
literally means the act of speaking in favor of another esp. in order
to save him from punishment. Although this word could be used in legal
system, where a lawyer intercedes on behalf of a convict, we are going
to explore this word and its significance in the matter of religion.
In
surah Mar-yam, while discussing about evil-ones and unbelievers, Allah(swt)
announces in verse 87:
They will have no power of any intercession except him who has taken
a covenant from the Rahman. (19:87)
Unfortunately, many religious leaders claim or suggest that they have
the ability to intercede on behalf of the sinners. Some times, these religious
leaders do not openly claim such ability, but the followers or murids
attribute such ability to their leaders. The above verse clearly negates
any such ability on the part of any leaders. The so-called leaders cannot
produce any proof that they have made a covenant with Allah. It is generally
agreed that only Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) has such an agreement. We are
not exactly sure, if other prophets have any such covenant.
In
Surah Ta Ha, Allah(swt) declares:
On that day intercession will not be of any benefit except one for
whom the Rahman allows, and whose words He is pleased with (20:109)
Again, in this verse except one is interpreted to be Prophet
Muhammad (pbuh)only. This is another strong verse that admonishes us that
if we are seeking intercession by hiring a sheikh, then such
attempt is not going to give us any benefit. It is highly likely that
such sheikhs who earn livelihood by selling intercession may actually
be in the most need of intercession. Some such sheikhs claim that Allah(swt)
is pleased with them because of their prayers, but such claims can not
be substantiated. Till the Day of Judgment, nobody can really know if
their prayer or actions have pleased Allah(swt). If somebody promotes
intercession, then this person is practically claiming that (s)he has
already attained entry to heaven. In other words, Day of Judgment will
not be applicable to him/her. That is definitely a tall claim.
In
Surah Az-Zukhruf, we see that
And those whom they call upon beside Him have no power of intercession;
but he who bears witness with the Truth, while they know (43:86)
This verse confirms that others so-called gods, saints, holymen will
have no capacity for intercession, while only he who bears witness
with the Truth i.e. Muhammad (pbuh) will have permission to intercede.
Not
only so-called gods, holymen, saints will have no say in the Day of Judgment,
but Spirits and malaks will also have no say. In Surah An-Naba,
The day whereon the Spirit (-Jibril) and the malaks will stand in rows;
they will not speak except he whom the Rahman permits, and who speaks
rightly. (78:38)
Again in this verse, we see that Rahman will permit the person who speaks
rightly. Scholars agree that this person is none but Muhammad (pbuh).
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