Intercession (Waseela)

The belief of the Ahle Sunnah Wal Jamaat is that the Holy Prophet (S.A.W) is an Intercessor and that He (S.A.W) will intercede on the Day of Qiyamah by the permission of Allah (S.W.T).

However there are some people who believe that the Holy Prophet (S.A.W) does not have the power to intercede. This thought is incorrect and not in accordance to the Holy Quran and AHadith.

There are numerous places in the Quran and many AHadith to prove that our beloved Prophet (S.A.W) can and will intercede for us. Here is one such evidence which will prove beyond any doubt that the belief of Ahle Sunnah Wal Jamaat is on Haq (truth).

On the Day of Qiyamah, all the people will congregate and they will say amongst themselves, "We wish we could find someone to intercede for us in the Court of Allah (S.W.T), so that He may give us comfort at this point." They will go to Hazrat Adam (A.S) and ask him to intercede for them. He will tell them to go to Hazrat Nooh (A.S) as he is the first Nabi that Allah (S.W.T) sent towards the people on earth.

Hazrat Nooh (A.S) will tell them to go to Hazrat Ibrahim (A.S) as he is the Friend of Allah (S.W.T). He in turn will tell them to go to Hazrat Musa (A.S) as he is a special servant of Allah (S.W.T). He will say to them to go to Hazrat Isa (A.S) as he is the special servant and Rasool of Allah (S.W.T).

The people will then present themselves before Hazrat Isa (A.S) who will say, "It is not for me to intercede. Go into the court of Hazrat Muhammad (S.A.W) who is a unique servant of Almighty Allah and it is through him that Almighty Allah has forgiven those before and after him."

Then the Holy Prophet (S.A.W) said, "They will come to me. I will ask for permission in the Court of Almighty Allah and permission will be granted. When I see Almighty Allah, I will make Sajdah and Almighty Allah will say, 'O’ Muhammad! Lift up your head, ask, request and it will be given, and intercession will be accepted'." (Bukhari Shareef; Ibn Majah)

Hazrat Abi bin Ka'ab (R.A) reports that the Holy Prophet (S.A.W) said: "On the Day of Qiyamah, I will be the Leader and Khatib of all the Ambiya (A.S) and I will be the Master of their intercession. I do not say this out of arrogance." (Mishkaat Shareef; Ash'atul Lam'aat)

In another Hadith the Holy Prophet (S.A.W) stated: "On the Day of Qiyamah, I will be the leader of the children of Hazrat Adam (A.S). I will be the first to rise from my grave. I will be the first to start interceding and my intercession will be the first to be accepted." (Mishkaat Shareef; Sahih Muslim Shareef)

For further evidence for the permissibility of intercession (waseela), please pay attention to the Dua read, whilst performing a child’s Janazah.

The translation is as follows : “Oh! Allah, make him (this child) a source for our salvation and make him a source of reward and treasure for us and make him an intercessor for us and one whose intercession is accepted”.