Forty Ahadith on the Intercession of the Beloved Prophet SallAllahu Alaihi wa Sallam

 اسماع الاربعین في شفاعة سید المحبوبین 

Forty Ahadith on the Intercession of the Beloved Prophet

Dear Readers! You already have read the post titled, "The Radiant Quranic Rays on the Intercession of the Best of Creation". In the previous post, I  presented the verses of Quran al-Kareem in support to our belief that the beloved Prophet SallAllahu Alaihi wa Sallam is the Intercessor of the Sinners by the grace of Allah Almighty. AlHamduLILLAH! I have received a very warm and enthusiastic response from my brothers and sisters but unfortunately, the opponents are still not satisfied. Rather, their sheer ignorance leads them to demand for Ahadith which reflect the true meaning of the Quranic verses and their commentaries presented earlier.

Well, I am very much amazed!! Are the Ahadith regarding Intercession such that they could be hidden from anyone? Scores of Sahaba, hundreds of Tabi'een and thousands of Muhaddithin have narrated them - all books of Hadith - the Sahihs, the Musnads, the Ma’ajims, the Jawami'es and the Musannafs – are all full of them. I present here a collection of 40 Ahadith, so that the faith of Muslims may be strengthened by them, and the deniers may burn in jealousy – especially those Ahadith which shall refute the unscrupulous, deviant & wicked wrong doers who have in their writings attempted to change the very meaning of intercession and tried to hide their rejection of intercession by changing its definition.

These Ahadith will make clear that our Master is the chosen and appointed one for intercession – he only is the refuge of the sinners, from him only is the succor for the friendless – contrary to what one deviant alleges that “whomever Allah wills, He will decree as an intercessor”.

These Ahadith will give the glad tidings that the intercession of our Beloved Prophet is not just for those who have accidentally sinned and are ashamed and continuously fearful of their deeds – as one wicked wrongdoer has claimed thus “The theft has been proved upon the thief, but he is not a habitual thief and he has not adopted theft as his profession – but rather the theft was committed accidentally due to his own sheer bad luck – so he is repentant and cries day and night (so for such is the intercession)”. No, surely not! I swear by Allah the Supreme Who has appointed the Holy Prophet as the Intercessor of the sinners, that his intercession is for the utterly sinful, wicked and oppressive Muslims like us who are so steeped in sins that even sins are ashamed of them.
 

Ahadith # 1 & 2

The Holy Prophet the Intercessor of the Sinners (Peace and Blessings of Allah be Upon Him) said,
 

خيرت بين الشفاعة وبين أن يدخل نصف أمتى الجنة فاخترت الشفاعة لأنها أعم وأكفى أترونها للمتقين لا ولكنها للمذنبين الخطائين المتلوثين
“Allah gave me the option of choosing between the power of intercession or having half of my Ummah admitted to Paradise without any reckoning. I chose the power of intercession because that is more important and will be more useful. Do you assume that my intercession is for the pious Muslims? No, on the contrary, it is for those sinners who are steeped in sins and have committed grave crimes." [Imam Ahmad in his Musnad from Hadrat Abdullah ibn Umar. Ibn Maja from Hadrat Abu Musa Asha'ari]

Ref:
Sunan Ibn Maajah, Baab Zikr ash-Shafa'ah. Vol. 1, Page 329
Musnad AHmad bin Hanbal, Vol. 2, Page 75

O Allah - Peace and abundant blessings be upon the Holy Prophet! And all praise is to Allah, the Lord of the worlds.

Hadith # 3

The Holy Prophet the Intercessor of the Sinners (Peace and Blessings of Allah be Upon Him) said,
 

شفاعتي للهالكين من أمتي
“My intercession is for those among my Ummah who have been destroyed by sins!” [Ibn Adi in Majma Zawaid, from Hadrat Ummul-Momineen Umme Salma]

Ref:
Al-Kamil li Ibn Adi, Vol. 5, Page 1801
Kanzul Ummal, Hadith 39073, Vol. 14, Page 401
Majma' Zawaid, Vol. 5, Page 44

That is certainly the truth – O my intercessor, may I be sacrificed for you!

Ahadith # 4 to 8

The Holy Prophet the Intercessor of the Sinners  (Peace and Blessings of Allah be Upon Him) said,
 

شفاعتي يوم القيامة لأهل الكبائر من أمتي
“My intercession on the day of judgment is for those among my Ummah who have committed major sins.”
[Abu Daud, Tirmidhi, Ibn Hibban, Hakim & Baihaqi from Hadrat Anas bin Maalik. Tirmidhi, Ibn Majah, Ibn Habban & Hakim from Hadrat Jabir bin Abdullah. Tibrani in Majam Kabeer from Hadrat Abdullah ibn Abbas. Khateeb Baghdadi from Hadrat Abdullah ibn Umar Farouk and from Hadrat Ka’ab bin Ajrah]

Ref:
Sunan Ibn Maja, Vol. 1, Page 329, Hadith 4452
Sunan Abi Dawood, Vol. 2, Page 296, Hadith 4741
Sunan Tirmidhi, Vol. 2, Page 66, Hadith 2623
Mustadrak lil Haakim, Vol. 1, Page 69
Sunan Kubra, Vol. 10, Page 190
Al Mau'jam al Kabeer, Hadith, 11454, Vol. 10, Page 189
Mawarid az Zaman, Hadith, 2596, Page 345
Kanz al Ummal, Hadith 39055, Vol. 14, Page 398

O Allah - Peace and abundant blessings be upon the Holy Prophet! And all praise is to Allah, the Lord of the worlds.

 

Hadith # 9

The Holy Prophet the Intercessor of the Sinners (Peace and Blessings of Allah be Upon Him) said,
 

شفاعتي لأهل الذنوب من أمتي
“My intercession is for the sinful among my Ummah.”

On this Abu Darda submitted,

وإن زنى وان سرق
“Even if he is an adulterer or a thief?”

He replied,

نعم وان زنا وان سرق على رغم أنف أبي الدرداء
“Yes – even if he is an adulterer, even if he is a thief – contrary to the wishes of Abu Darda!!”

Ref:
Tareekh-e-Baghdad, Vol. 1, Page 416

Ahadith # 10 & 11

The Holy Prophet the Intercessor of the Sinners (Peace and Blessings of Allah be Upon Him) said,
 

إني لاشفع يوم القيامة لاكثر مما على وجه الارض من حجر وشجر ومدر
“I shall intercede, on the Day of Judgement, for more persons than the total number of trees, stones and pebbles on the face of this earth.” [Tibrani & Baihaqi from Hadrat Buraidah. Tibrani in Majam Awsat from Hadrat Anees al-Ansari]

Ref:
Musnad Ahmad, Vol. 5, Page 347, Hadith 23645
Al Mau'jam al Ausat, Hadith 5519, Vol. 2 , Page 172
Kanz al-Ummal, Hadith 39062, Vol 14, Page 399

Hadith # 12

The Holy Prophet the Intercessor of the Sinners (Peace and Blessings of Allah be Upon Him) said,
 

شفاعتى لمن يشهد أن لا إله إلا الله مخلصا يصدق قلبه لسانه
“My intercession is for every such person who sincerely bore witness that ‘None is worthy of worship except Allah’ – while his heart confirmed what his tongue uttered.” [Bukhari, Muslim, Hakim & Baihaqi from Hadrat Abu Hurairah]

Ref:
Mustadrak lil Hakim, Vol 1, Page 270
Musnad Ahmad, Vol 4, Page 414
Kanzul Ummal, Hadith 39079/80, Vol 10, Page 378/79
Majma'az Zawaid, Vol 10, Page 379

Hadith # 13

The Holy Prophet the Intercessor of the Sinners (Peace and Blessings of Allah be Upon Him) said,
 

أنها أوسع لهم وهي لمن مات لا يشرك بالله شيئا
“Intercession has much more scope for the Ummah, for it is for every such person who dies on faith.” [Ahmed, Tibrani & Bazaaz from Hadrat Mua’az ibn Jabal]

Ref:
Musnad Ahmad, Vol. 43, Page 55, Hadith 20255
al-Khasais al-Kubra, Vol. 2, Page 335
al-Mau'jam al-Kabeer, Vol. 12. Page 445
 

Hadith # 14

The Holy Prophet the Intercessor of the Sinners (Peace and Blessings of Allah be Upon Him) said,
 

إني آتي جهنم ، فأضرب بابها ، فيفتح لي ، فأدخل ، فأحمد الله محامد ما حمده أحد قبلي مثله ، ولا يحمده أحد بعدي ثم أخرج منها من قال : لا إله إلا الله
“I shall go towards Hell and knock at its door, so it will be opened for me. I will enter it - and praise Allah with such praise that has never been done by anyone before me, nor shall it ever be done by anyone after me – and shall remove from it every such person who has with a sincere heart said ‘None is worthy of worship except Allah’.”

Ref:
al-Mau'jam al Awsat, Hadith 3857, Vol. 4, Page 503

Hadith # 15

The Holy Prophet the Intercessor of the Sinners (Peace and Blessings of Allah be Upon Him) said,
 

يوضع للأنبياء منابر من ذهب يجلسون عليها ، ويبقى منبري لا أجلس عليه ، قائم بين يدي ربي عز وجل منتصبا لأمتي مخافة أن يبعث بي إلى الجنة ، وتبقى أمتي بعدي ، فأقول : يا رب ، أمتي أمتي . فيقول الله عز وجل : يا محمد ، ما تريد أن أصنع بأمتك ؟ فأقول : يا رب اعدل حسابهم ، فيدعى بهم فيحاسبون ، فمنهم من يدخل الجنة برحمة الله ، ومنهم من يدخل الجنة بشفاعتي فما أزال أشفع حتى أعطى صكاكا برجال قد بعث بهم إلى النار ، وحتى إن مالكا خازن النار يقول : يا محمد ما تركت لغضب ربك من أمتك من نقمة
“Pulpits of gold will be arranged for the Prophets and they will sit on them, and my pulpit will remain empty as I will not sit on it – but I shall stand humbly before my Lord fearing that I may be sent into Paradise while my Ummah remains behind me. I shall then pray, “O my Lord! My Ummah! My Ummah!” Allah the Supreme will proclaim, “O Mohammed! What is your wish regarding what I should do with your Ummah?” I shall submit, “O my Lord! Settle their accounts quickly!” So I will continue to intercede until I get letters to get released those who had already been sent to hell – to the extent that Maalik, the custodian of hell, will exclaim, “O Mohammed! You have not left even a bit of the Lord’s wrath among your Ummah!” [Hakim with sound chains and Tibrani & Baihaqi from Hadrat Abdullah ibn Abbas]

Ref:
Al-Mustadrak lil Hakim, Vol 1, Page 65/66
Al-Mau'jam al Awsat, Hadith 2958, Vol 3, Page 446
Al-Targheeb wa al-Tarheeb, Vol 4, Page 446

Ahadith # 16 to 21

All these 6 Ahadith report that the Holy Prophet the Intercessor of the Sinners (Peace and Blessings of Allah be Upon Him) said,

 

واللفظ لجابر قال قال رسول الله صلى الله تعالٰى عليه وسلم اُعطيت ما لم يعط احد قبلي الٰی قوله صلى الله تعالٰى عليه وسلم واعطيت الشفاعة
“I have been appointed as the Intercessor, and intercession has been bestowed exclusively to me. Other than me, no one else has been given this rank.” [Bukhari, Muslim, Nasai from Hadrat Jabir bin Abdullah. Ahmad, Bukhari in Al-Tareekh, Bazzaar, Tibrani, Baihaqi and Abu Nuaim from Abdullah ibn Abbas. Ahmad and Bazzaar, Darimi, Ibn Shaibah, Abu Yuala, Abu Nuaim & Baihaqi from Abu Zarr. Tibrani in Ma’jam Awsat from Hadrat Saeed Khudri. Tibrani in Ma’jam Kabeer from Saeb ibn Yazeed. Ahmad with sound chains and Ibn Abi Shaibah & Tibrani from Hadrat Moosa Ash’ari. Words are those of Jabir.]

Ref:
Sahih al Bukhari, Vol 1, Page 48
Sahih Muslim, Vol 1, Page 199
Sunan Nisaee, Vol 1, Page 74
Musnad Ahmad, Vol 1, Page 301
Al-Mau'jam al Kabeer, Vol 11, Page 73
Al Targheeb wal Tahreeb, Vol 4, Page 433
Al-Mau'jam al Awsat, Vol 8, Page 212

Ahadith # 22 & 23

The Holy Prophet the Intercessor of the Sinners (Peace and Blessings of Allah be Upon Him) said,

ان لكل نبي دعوة قددعا بها في امته واستجيب له۔ وھذااللفظ الانس ولفظ ابی سعید لیس من نبي الا وقد اُعطی دعوة فتعجّلها۔ (ولفظ ابن عباس) لم یبق نبی الا اُعطی سؤله۔ رجعنا الٰی لفظ انس والفاظ الباقین كمثله معنیً قال وانی اختبات دعوتي شفاعة لِاُمتي یوم القٰیمة ۔(زاد موسٰی) جعلتها لمن مات من امتي لایشرك باﷲ شیئا
“Although thousands of prayers of the Prophets are accepted, they are also bestowed with one special prayer from Allah – that they may ask whatever they desire and it will certainly be granted. All the Prophets up to Prophet Eisa have utilised their privileged prayers in this world whereas I have saved it for the hereafter – and that is my Intercession for my Ummah on the day of judgement. My intercession is for all persons of my Ummah who have left this world with faith.” [In the narrations of Hadrat Abdullah ibn Abbas, Hadrat Abu Saeed Khudri and Hadrat Moosa Ash’ari, the same subject as mentioned as in the narrations of Ahmed, Bukhari & Muslim from Hadrat Anas. Bukhari & Muslim from Hadrat Abu Huraira]

Ref:
Sahih Bukhari, Vol. 2, Page 932
Sahih Muslim, Vol. 1, Page 113
Musnad Ahmad, Vol. 3, Page 307
Musnad Ahmad, Vol. 3, Page 220
Sunan al-Kubra, Vol. 2, Page 433

O Allah – grant us the intercession, by the honour of the Prophet with you! Aameen.

Allahu Akbar!! O the sinners of this Ummah! Do you not see the extreme compassion and mercy of our Master the Holy Prophet upon you? For he was bestowed three such prayers from Allah the Supreme – to seek whatever he wished – and he did not seek anything for himself, but assigned them just for you. He sought two things in this world – these two were also for you – and has reserved one for the hereafter – for your dire need on that day, when except for our compassionate & merciful Master there will be none providing help, none removing your calamities.

Allah the Almighty, has rightly said,
 

عزيز عليه ما عنتم حريص عليكم بالمومنين رءوف رحيم
“Your falling into hardship aggrieves him, most concerned for your well being, for the Muslims most compassionate, most merciful.” [Surah Tauba 9:128]

By Allah! By oath of the One who has made our Master so merciful upon us, no mother can have so much love and affection for her only son as much as he has for every single person of his Ummah! O Allah – You indeed know our limitations and weaknesses, and You indeed know the lofty rights of his greatness upon us – so O Allah, the Omnipotent, the Supreme Being, the Great! Shower your choicest, abundant, auspicious blessings upon him and his progeny that befit his rights and that suffice his mercy!

Praise be to Allah! And what has the Ummah done in lieu of his mercy? Some raise doubts about his high status, some are sceptical of his power of intercession, some equal his rank to themselves, some get upset when he is glorified – while some allege acts of love to be inventions and some declare acts of respect and honour to be polytheism! May Allah save & protect us!! Aameen.

 

Hadith # 24

The Holy Prophet the Intercessor of the Sinners (Peace and Blessings of Allah be Upon Him) said,
 

“Allah the Supreme granted me three prayers, so I have twice prayed that

اللهم اغفر لامّتي اللهم اغفر لامتي
‘O Allah, forgive my Ummah! O Allah forgive my Ummah!’

واخّرت الثالثة ليوم يرغب الیّ فيه الخلق حتى ابراهيم
And I have reserved the last one for the day when the entire creation will approach me with their needs, even Prophet Ibrahim!” [Sahih Muslim from Hadrat Ubai ibn Ka’ab]

Ref:
Sahih Muslim, Vol 1, Page 273
Musnad Ahmad, Vol 5, Page 127

Hadith # 25

The Holy Prophet the Intercessor of the Sinners (Peace and Blessings of Allah be Upon Him) submitted to his Lord, “You have granted such and such favours to the other Prophets!” So Allah the Supreme proclaimed,

أعطيتك خير من ذلك (الٰى قوله) و خبأت لك شفاعتك ، و لم أخبأها لنبي غيرك
“What I have granted you, is better than all of that – I have preserved Intercession for you and not given this to anyone else but you.”

Ref:
Al-Shifa bi Tareefi Huqooqil Mustafa, Vol. 1, Page 134

HadIth # 26.

The Holy Prophet the Intercessor of the Sinners (Peace and Blessings of Allah be Upon Him) said,
 

إذا كان يوم القيامة كنت إمام النبيين وخطيبهم وصاحب شفاعتهم غير فخر
“On the day of judgement, I shall be the Leader of the Prophets, and their orator and the owner of their intercession – and I do not say this with any pride.” [Ibn Abi Shaibah, Tirmizi, Ibn Majah and Hakim – from Hadrat Ubai Ibn Ka’ab]

Ref:
Sunan Tirmidhi, Vol. 2, Page 201
Sunan Ibn Maajah, Page 330
Al Mustadrak lil Hakim, Vol. 1, Page 71

Ahadith # 27 to 40

The Holy Prophet , the Intercessor of the Sinners (Peace and Blessings of Allah be Upon Him) said,
 

شفاعتي يوم القيامة حق فمن لم يؤمن بها لم يكن من أهلها
“My intercession on the day of judgement is a reality – so whoever does not believe in it will not deserve it.” [Ibn Manie’ from 14 Sahaba namely Hadrat Anas, Hadrat Jabir, Hadrat Ibn Abbas, Hadrat Ibne Umar, Hadrat Ka'ab, Hadrat Abi Darda, Hadrat Ibn Umar, Hadrat Abu Musa and etc.]

Ref:
Kanz al-Ummal, Hadith 39059, Vol. 14, Page 399

The unfortunate soul who belies intercession must therefore ponder upon the above mass narrated Hadith - and have pity upon himself by believing in the Intercession of our Master the Holy Prophet (Peace and Blessings of Allah be Upon Him).

O Allah! Make us worthy of his intercession in this world and in the hereafter. O Allah, the Supreme! Shower your choicest abundant auspicious blessings upon our Master and his progeny and upon all his followers until the day of judgement!

Peace & blessings be upon all the Prophets, and May Allah be well pleased with the Companions. Aameen!!
 

— — —
Extracted from
اسماع الاربعین في شفاعة سید المحبوبین
by Imam Ahmad Rida al-Qadiri Alayhir Rahmah
English Translation by: Mawlana Aqib Farid Qadiri