INTERCESSION : What Is The Right Concept ?
INTERCESSION - dictionary meanings are : i)
Mediation ii) Prayer or petition in favour of
another. INTERCEDE : To act between parties with a
view to reconciling differences. Arabic tri-literal
root of this word is : (sheen - fa - ain) - shafa'a ;
to double something ; to attach, add something with
another ; pairing of things; either part of a pair;
even numbers (opposite of this is watter). Raghib
Asphahani in Mufredaat wrote : Al shafa'at is to
accompany someone with a view to take care and help
him. In Islamic Jurisprudence Shuffa'h means : A
special right of purchasing a property whereby a
person can own it at market price. Ain al shaafeh -
eyes which due to weakness or disease see the things
double (double vision). Naaqah al shaafeh - a she
camel with two babies; one accompanying her and the
other in the womb (yet to born). Naaqah al shafooh -
a she camel who let the entire milk in one milking
instead of twice a day. Al shafa'ai - different kinds
of grasses which grow together in pairs (Taj ul
A'roos). Al shaa't al shaafeh - a goat accompanied
along with her baby ( Ibn Faris).
It becomes clear from these definitions and examples
that basic meaning of INTERCESSION (Shafa'at) is to
act jointly and to look after each others interests.
Nepotism or undeserved favoritism (Sifaarish or Wasta
or Waseela) is its corrupted meanings which has been
adopted and spread by characterless persons.
The main goal of Quran is to establish a
socio-economic system which satisfy man's needs and
develop his human potentials. For this purpose, Quran
advocates a system of collective living rather than
individualism because the development of human
potential, the character building, and the
satisfaction of man's needs could be achieved only in
an healthy and stable society. A social system which
promotes or encourages selfishness, greed and
exploitation of fellow human beings; and where the
individual interests prevails over the collective
interests ; and where the haves do not care for the
haves not; in that system, in spite, of all
progress, developments and abundances, the human
potentials remain suppressed and the human needs
remain unsatisfied. Such a social system produce
corrupt and character less individuals and creates
severe imbalances in all spheres of the society.
Accordingly, in a Muslim society (that follows the
Quranic Values System) every individual is an
INTERCESSOR - (shafeeh) , in the sense that they look
after each other's affairs and protect each other's
interests. They show friendly regards, make every
effort on each other's behalf to achieve the
objectives and are kind among themselves graciously.
Similarly, The Chief Executive of an Islamic State
(The Ruler) is INTERCESSOR of his fellow-citizen. His
primary responsibility is to ensure protection for
every citizen and not to let any of his subjects to
feel lonesome and neglected in respect of his
individual rights and basic needs.
This sort of INTERCESSION among the Muslims is not
limited to themselves but extends to other nations
also because their commitment with God is to make His
System of Economy (Rububiut al a'limeeni) successful
and useful for the whole mankind. For this purpose
they are enjoined to cooperate with other nations in
all works which are carried out according to divine
laws for the welfare, peace, stability and strength of
mankind (Bir wal Taqwa). On the contrary, they are
prohibited not to cooperate with those who acts
against the interests of mankind and make plans which
create division, rifts and disunity among the people
and sap their energies and vigor and leave them
unsubstantial (Ithm wal A'dwan). Accordingly, Quran
says: " Mann Yashf'a Shafa'atan
Hassanatan......Whoever help and support a good cause,
he shares in all its credit and in its eventual
victory - Wa Mann Yashf'a Shafa'atan
Sayie'atan......And whoever support a bad cause he
share in its evil consequences...... (4:85)
This is Quranic concept of INTERCESSION. Now, compare
this with the traditional concept. It is believed that
on the Day of Judgement, after hearing and looking
into everybodys' record, God will sentenced the
criminals and the sinners to hell. Then, the pious and
the holy men, particularly the prophets (and from
among them Prophet Mohammed in particular) would come
forward for the defence of these criminals and request
general amnesty. God will pardon them on the request
of these holy and pious men and send these criminals
from hell to heaven. They call it INTERCESSION.
Obviously, this concept of INTERCESSION is not meant
in the Quran rather it demolishes the whole edifice of
Islam which is firmly established on the principle of
accountability. Quran says: " Fa Mann Ya'mal Misqala
Zarratin KhairanYara ho. Wa Mann Ya'mal Misqala
Zarratin Sharran Yara ho....(meaning) On the day of
judgment everyone will be shown the exact import of
everything that they had thought, said or done in this
life of probation, however they may have concealed or
misinterpreted it in this life. Everything will be
considered in taking the account and the account will
convince the persons concerned themselves. It will be
done openly and convincingly : they " shall see it ".
(99:7-8).
It seems that this concept of INTERCESSION (patronage
of the criminals) is originated during the era of
despot kings when the Quranic Values System was put
aside and the principles of fairness, justice and
accountability were ignored. Influential men in the
royal courts used to intercedes to protect the
criminals. Quran calls it - (Shafa'atan Syie'stan) -
supporting a bad cause or an evil person. Moreover,
this concept might have got strength from the concept
of Atonement (Kuffara) in Christianity. According to
this concept prophet Jesus (as) would intercede for
all sinners among his believers on the Day of
Judgement. It was a strong argument with Christians
to show their superiority over the Muslims. Therefore,
it might have inspired the Muslims to contrive similar
beliefs about prophet Mohammed (pbuh). They concocted
such stories (Hadith) that on the Day of Judgement
when God shall sentenced the sinners to Hell prophet
Mohammed (pbuh) will fell down in prostration before
God and will not raise head until He forgives all the
sinners and send them to heaven. These falsehoods
might have given some sort of superiority to Muslims
over the Christians but at the same time these proved
very fatal to Islam which is firmly founded on the
principles of accountability. All The Ahadith
regarding INTERCESSION attributed to the Prophet
(pbuh) are false and, in fact, did great harm to
Muslims' morality. Quran does not advocate such
INTERCESSION. It states explicitly: " On the Day of
Judgement none shall avail another, nor shall
INTERCESSION be accepted, nor shall COMPENSATION be
taken, nor shall be anyone helped "(2:48). In other
words, Quran strictly warns: Be on your guard; do not
think that special favours exempt you from the
personal responsibility of each soul.
In order to prove their standpoint, the believers in
INTERCESSION also quote some verses from Quran. For
example, in verse 2:255 it is stated: "....who is
there can intercede in His presence except as He
permits...." They conclude that God in His Wisdom and
Plan may grade His creatures and give one superiority
over another. Then by His Will and permission such a
one may intercede or help. Prophet Mohammed would
intercede for the Muslims by the will and permission
of God.
This conclusion is absolutely wrong.
In the same verse, it is stated: "....His are all
things in the heavens and on earth...." -(2:255), How
can then any creatures stand before Him as of right,
and claim to intercede for a fellow-creatures ? In
the first place, both are His, and He cares as much
for one as for the other. In the second place both are
dependent on His Will and Command which He never
change (eternal and immutable). God knowledge is
absolute, and is not conditioned by Time or Space.
Moreover, this conclusion is basically against the
principle of fairness, justice and accountability
which is continuously repeated through out the Quran.
If we believe in INTERCESSION as much as we believe
in ACCOUNTABILITY then it will be a manifest
contradiction which mislead the reader to think of
Quran (ma'az Allah) as a book of contradictory
beliefs. For example, in the preceding verse (quoted
above) Quran says: " O ye who believe! spend out the
bounties We have provided for you, before the Day
comes when no bargaining will avail, nor friendship,
nor INTERCESSION...." - (2:254). And, then in the
subsequent verse it says: "....Who is there can
intercede in His presence except as He permits..." -
(2:255). If we take this meaning of the verse that
one can intercede with the permission of God and his
intercession will be accepted then these verses
clearly contradict each other.
The question arises, then what is the correct meaning
of this and the other similar verses? Actually, our
thoughts and actions produce results simultaneously
but often we cannot see or perceive them until these
get matured and becomes visible. There is a well
measured period for the maturity of each act to
produce visible results. For some of our acts, this
period is so short that we can see the results in our
life time but for the others, it is so long that in
order to see the results we have to wait till the
Final Day. In order to understand it in a better way,
we can classify the phenomena of human activities
into concrete realities and abstract realities.
Former, we face in our life span and the later, we
will face in the hereafter. In other words, there is a
built-in system of reward and punishment in the Divine
Laws. God does not need help or advocacy of anyone
whosoever.
Quran has explained the process of reward and
punishment figuratively so that human mind can grasp
it easily. Regarding the Day of Judgement, it
presents somewhat similar scenario as we often see in
our judicial courts. For example, we see the criminals
are being brought to the court and then follows the
proceedings. The judges, the lawyers, the witnesses,
and the police, all are present there and listen to
the hearing and judgements. Similarly, Quran says:
"And be hold ! ye come to us bare and alone........We
see not with you, your intercessors....(6:95) ; " And
there will come forth every person: with each will be
a person (just like a policeman) to drive and a person
to bear witness" -(50:21). These persons, who will
bear witness, will not come along the person by
themselves but will be called and given permission to
bear witness. In fact, they (the witnesses) are
called INTERCESSORS and they are the one who are
mentioned in verse 2:255 and other similar verses : "
mann zalazee yashfa'a ho illah beh izneh - who can
stand with the others against His will or without His
permission" .
These INTERCESSORS, among others, will also includes
Messengers about whom Quran says : " One day will God
gather the Messengers together, and will ask : ' what
was the response you received (from men to your
teachings) ?."....(5:112). Similarly, Angels will
also be asked : " The day that the Spirit and the
Angel will stand forth in ranks, none shall speak
except any who is permitted by God and he will say
what is right." - (78:38). In these verses, therefore,
the Witness (Shaheed) means the Intercessor
(Shafeeh). Because, to bear witness in one favour is a
great help to him. This meaning is also supported in
verse 43:86 : " And those whom they invoke besides
God have no power of INTERCESSION. - only he who bears
witness (Shahid) to the truth, and they know him." In
other words, INTERCESSION means to bear true Witness.
Traditional meaning of INTERCESSION are misleading.
Quran did not use the word ' INTERCESSOR ' - (Shafeeh)
- for prophet Mohammed (pbuh). It uses the word '
WITNESS ' - (Shaheed) for him (16:89). Quran
repeatedly warns those who believes in INTERCESSION.
It states: " Then will no Intercession of (any)
Intercessors will profit them."-(74:48). And
again,....." No intimate friend nor Intercessor will
the wrong doers have, who could be listened to." -
(40:18). And again, "...Every person draws the meed
of his acts on none but himself, and no bearer of
burdens can bear the burden of another.....(6:164).
Heaven is not for those who look for Intercessors to
help them enter it. Heaven is for those who earn it by
their righteous deeds. This fact is stated in the
Quran in these words, " ...Behold ! this is your
Heaven ! You have been made its inheritors for your
deeds."- (7:43).
Such beliefs (traditional) in INTERCESSION are held by
those nations who have lost the will and energy to
work hard. They have become idle and inert and look
for easy means and short cuts to success. Could you
imagine, how easy it is to get Paradise through
INTERCESSION ? You are simply required to profess in
the prophet hood of Mohammed (pbuh) or Jesus (as) -
if you are a Christian ! or Moses (as) - if you are a
Jew ! or to revere any holy and pious man - if you are
a Mushrik ! Quran states that when the Jews suffered
downfall and lost their noble values, they started to
believe in similar INTERCESSION as we found among the
Muslims today. They believed : " The Fire shall not
touch us but for a few numbered days....(2:80). In
reply, Quran said: " Ask them; Have you taken a
promise from God ? and then answered itself that tell
them this is a wrong belief. God's Law, in this regard
is : " Those who do wrongs they shall go to hell and
those who do righteousness they shall go to heaven " -
(2:82-83). It is an immutable moral law with no
exception.
It becomes quite clear from the above discussion: i)
In this world, INTERCESSION is to stand with someone
in order to help, advocate, and support him. If this
support is for good cause, the intercessor will get
good reward and if it is for a bad cause he too, will
share a part of the punishment along with the
criminal. ii) In the hereafter, the concept of
intercession is stated figuratively. It is like
witnesses which are often called upon in judicial
courts. In reality, God does not need advocacy of
anyone whosoever. iii) To intercede for criminals
or to favour someone un deservedly is against the
teachings of Quran. Therefore, this sort of belief in
INTERCESSION is not right. We should not rely upon any
power or person other than God to help us or intercede
for us. No one have more power and intelligence than
God.
Quran says: " What ! Do they take intercessors others
besides God ? Say: " Even if they have no power
whatever and no intelligence ? " - (39:43). Say: "To
God belongs exclusively all sort of INTERCESSION"....
(39:44). He Grants this right to those who follow Him
in Quran.
God Says: " One Day We shall raise from all people a
Witness (Shaheed) : Then, there will be no permission
for unbelievers nor they will receive any
favour."-(16:84).
Wa Ma Aa'laina Illalbalagh
Bashir Abid
NB: Most humbly, I dedicate this article to my
honorable teacher (late) Allama Ghulam Ahmed Pervez -
(1903-1985). In fact, this article is based on his
interpretation of Intercession in his highly acclaimed
and scholarly work:LUGHAT-UL-QURAN. (in Urdu
language).
w
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{Invite (mankind, O Muhammad ) to the Way of your Lord (i.e. Islam) with wisdom
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with them in a way that is better. Truly, your Lord knows best who has gone
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