Q. Some people believe that the Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) does not have the power to intercede. Is this correct or are they astray?

A. They are astray.  The belief of the Ahle Sunnah Wal Jama'at is that the Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) is an Intercessor and that he will intercede on the Day of Qiyamah by the permission of Allah Ta'ala. Allah Ta'ala says in the Holy Quran: "Who is he that would intercede with him except with His permission. He knows what is before them and what is behind them." (Part 3, Ruku 1)

The Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) has been given the station of Maqaam-e-Mahmood. Maqaam-e-Mahmood is that point on intercession where all will praise and honour the Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam). (Tafseer Khaazin; Tafseer Jalalain) The Holy Quran states: "It is near that your Lord may make you stand at a place where all should praise you." (Part 15, Ruku 9)

The Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) said: "I will intercede for my Ummah until my Creator summons me, 'O Muhammad! Have you been pleased?' I will say, 'O my Creator! I am pleased'". (Durr Manthur; Roohul Bayaan)

Hazrat Abi bin Ka'ab (radi Allahu anhu) reports that the Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) said: "On the Day of Qiyamah, I will be the Leader and Khatib of all the Ambiya (alaihums salaam) and I will be the master of their intercession. I do not say this out of arrogance." (Mishkaat Shareef; Ash'atul Lam'aat)

The Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) stated: "On the Day of Qiyamah, I will be the leader of the children of Hazrat Adam (alaihis salaam). 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)

The Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) stated: "The Ulema, the Hufaaz, and the Shuhada of my followers will indeed intercede on the Day of Judgment. Even the infant whose parents are Muslims will intercede." If, as some misled individuals say, that it is not permissible to ask the creation for assistance but only from Allah Ta'ala, then how will these above-mentioned beloved slaves help us on the Day of Judgment? This again is proof that it is not wrong to ask them for help in this world also!

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

Hazrat Nooh (alaihis salaam) will tell them to go to Hazrat Ibrahim (alaihis salaam) as he is the Friend of Allah Ta'ala. He in turn will tell them to go to Hazrat Moosa (alaihis salaam) as he is a special servant of Allah Ta'ala. He will say to them to go to Hazrat 'Isa (alaihis salaam) as he is the special servant and Rasool of Allah Ta'ala, and His Kalma and His Rooh.

The people will then present themselves before Hadrat 'Isa (alaihis salaam) who will say, "This is not my job. Go into the court of Hazrat Muhammad (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) who is a unique servant of Almighty Allah Ta'ala and it is through him that Almighty Allah has forgiven those before and after him." Then the Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) 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 (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam)! Lift up your head, ask, request and it will be given, and intercession will be accepted'." (Bukhari Shareef; Ibn Majah)

The Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) will then intercede. After him, the great Prophets and Saints will intercede. Those who say that the Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) cannot intercede, how will it be permissible on the Day of Judgment?

Source: Imam Ahmed Reza Academy