What is Intercession?

[Taqavi]

What is Intercession?

 

Understanding the true meaning of intercession is a crucial and decisive issue for those who believe in Allah and the Hereafter, and who view obedience to the laws of Sharia as the sole path to eternal happiness and safety from dangers.[1]

Linguistically, the word Shafa'at is derived from Shaf' (pair/double), which is the opposite of Witr (odd/single).[2] The term Shafi' (intercessor) refers to  one who seeks something on behalf of another; the needy party then requests this intercession to achieve their desired goal.[3] Ibn Athir states regarding this concept: The intercessor is one who attaches themselves to another, pairing the solitary individual.[4] Raghib Isfahani defines intercession as the attachment and connection of one person to another, with the intent to assist them and request their help. It is primarily used when a superior or more honorable person attaches themselves to someone of a lower rank. This is the meaning of intercession on the Day of Resurrection. [5]

Ibn Taymiyyah, a strict Hanbali scholar favored by the Wahhabi movement, explains the meaning of intercession as follows: Intercession means assisting the petitioner so that the assistant becomes their counterpart, after they were previously solitary.[6]

Fakhr Razi, in his commentary, states regarding the concept of intercession: Intercession is when one begs forgiveness for another and seeks to remove their needs. Its root is Shaf' (pair), and its opposite is Witr (single). It seems that the needy person is solitary and in need, while the intercessor becomes their pair. [7] Some later scholars have also said that it is a request for forgiveness of sin, or a request by the intercessor to the one with whom intercession is made (Allah) to do something for the benefit of the beneficiary (the one for whom intercession is made).Thus, the intercession of the Prophet (SAW) or others is essentially a petition from them to the Almighty Allah for the forgiveness of sins or the fulfillment of others' needs. Therefore, intercession is a type of supplication and hope in Divine grace. [8]

In the culture of the Quran, intercession is defined as mediating between Allah and His creation to convey good or ward off evil. [9]  Allamah Tabataba'i, in explaining the concept of intercession, says: Intercession is derived from the root Shaf' (pair) in opposition to Witr (single). The reality of intercession is that a needy person connects their insufficient force, which alone is not enough to reach the goal, with the force of the intercessor, thereby doubling their ability to achieve the objective. Had they relied solely on their own force, due to its deficiency and weakness, they would not have reached the goal. [10]

Some have divided intercession into two different concepts:

A) Intercession in the Popular Sense: In the common understanding among people, the intercessor is someone who, relying on their position, personality, or influence, changes the view of the holder of power regarding the punishment of subordinates. Such an understanding of intercession has no place in religious knowledge and is inconsistent with divine principles.

B) Intercession in its True and Constructive Meaning: In the correct and religious meaning, the core of intercession lies in the inner transformation and metamorphosis of the person for whom intercession is made. That is, the sinner creates conditions to emerge from an undesirable state deserving of punishment and, by connecting with the intercessor, enters a path where they become eligible for Divine forgiveness.[11] This type of intercession is, in reality, a lofty school of upbringing, reform, awakening, and human awareness.[12]

Conclusion

In light of the above, we can conclude that intercession in Islam is intercession for the forgiveness of sins or the elevation of the ranks of believers in the Hereafter; however, not in the sense of violating divine laws, but in the sense of providing the necessary internal and spiritual conditions in the beneficiary to benefit from Allah’s mercy. Imam Ali (AS) says: The intercessor is like wings for the needy person, with whose help they fly and attain their destination. [13]

 

 

 

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[1] . Ma'ad in the Quran, Amini, Ibrahim, p. 155.

[2] . Lisan al-Arab, Ibn Manzur, Vol. 8, p. 183.

[3] . Ibid, p. 184.

[4] . Al-Nihaya fi Gharib al-Hadith wa al-Athar, Ibn al-Athir, Abu al-Sa'adat, Vol. 2, p. 485.

[5] . Al-Mufradat fi Gharib al-Quran, Raghib al-Isfahani, p. 457.

[6] . Al-Siyasa al-Shar'iya fi Islah al-Ra'i wa al-Ra'iyya, Ibn Taymiyyah, p. 53.

[7] . Tafsir al-Razi = Mafatih al-Ghayb or Al-Tafsir al-Kabir, Razi, Fakhr al-Din, Vol. 3, p. 495.

[8] . Al-Shafa'at Haqiqa Islamiyya, Al-Asadi, Muhammad Hadi, p. 9.

[9] . Quranic and Narrative Evidence in Response to the Exaggeration Doubt, Ahassani, Ameneh, p. 55.

[10] . Al-Mizan fi Tafsir al-Quran, Allamah al-Tabataba'i, Vol. 1, p. 157.

[11] . Sharh wa Tafsir Lughat al-Quran based on Tafsir, Jafar, Shariatmadari, Vol. 2, p. 505.

[12] . Anwar al-Hidayah, Makarem Shirazi, Naser, p. 247.

[13] . Nahj al-Balagha, Sayyid al-Sharif al-Radi, Wisdom 63, p. 479.