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Understanding the Intercession of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) in the Light of the Quran

By
Bassam Zawadi

There is a great misconception amongst the Muslim community that Prophet Muhammad has divine capabilities in order to save people from the Hell fire. That the Prophet Muhammad has the ability to give people salvation by intercession. This is nothing more than a myth. The intercession of the Prophet is nothing more than Honor that Allah (swt) has given him. When the Prophet intercedes for a Muslim, it is not the Prophet that chooses whom he should intercede for.  If the Prophet had the ability to intercede for whomever he wants he would intercede for his mother or uncle Abu Talib whom he loved so dearly. Some Muslims might argue that the Prophet will only intercede for Muslims and the Prophets mother and uncle were not Muslims. However, reading further into this article will disprove that theory.

It is Allah that chooses whom the Prophet should intercede for. He gives the Prophet the honor of intercession. To understand this better, let me illustrate it with an example. At a graduation party, some one is given the honor of handing the degrees over to the graduates. The person handing the degrees to the graduates does not have the power to determine who graduates or not, the university does. However, the person has the honor of handing out the degrees to the graduates that the university has handpicked. This is the same thing when Allah hand picks those who shall enter heaven and simply gives the Prophet the honor to intercede for them.

We should all reflect on the following verses from the Glorious Quran regarding intercession.

Surah 6:51

Give this warning to those in whose (hearts) is the fear that they will be brought (to judgment) before their Lord: except for Him they will have no protector nor intercessor: that they may guard (against evil).

Surah 39:43-44

What! Do they take for intercessors others besides God? Say: "Even if they have no power whatever and no intelligence?" Say: "To God belongs exclusively (the right to grant) intercession: to Him belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth: In the End, it is to Him that ye shall be brought back."

Surah 6:70

Leave alone those who take their religion to be mere play and amusement, and are deceived by the life of this world. But proclaim (to them) this (truth): that every soul delivers itself to ruin by its own acts: it will find for itself no protector or intercessor except God: if it offered every ransom, (or reparation), none will be accepted: such is (the end of) those who deliver themselves to ruin by their own acts: they will have for drink (only) boiling water, and for punishment, one most grievous: for they persisted in rejecting God.

Surah 74:48

Then will no intercession of (any) intercessors profit them.

Surah 10:18

They serve, besides God, things that hurt them not nor profit them, and they say: "These are our intercessors with God." Say: "Do ye indeed inform God of something He knows not, in the heavens or on earth? - Glory to Him! and far is He above the partners they ascribe (to Him)!"

Surah 32:4

It is God Who has created the heavens and the earth, and all between them, in six Days, and is firmly established on the Throne (of Authority): ye have none, besides Him, to protect or intercede (for you): will ye not then receive admonition?

Surah 4:123

Not your desires, nor those of the People of the Book (can prevail): whoever works evil, will be requited accordingly. Nor will he find, besides God, any protector or helper.

Surah 2:254

O ye who believe! Spend out of (the bounties) We have provided for you, before the Day comes when no bargaining (Will avail), nor friendship nor intercession. Those who reject Faith they are the wrong-doers.

These verses explicitly show that no one's intercession will help you. Only God can.

Lets look at the next set of verses....

Surah 34:23

"No intercession can avail in His Presence, except for those for whom He has granted permission. So far (is this the case) that, when terror is removed from their hearts (at the Day of Judgment, then) will they say, 'what is it that your Lord commanded?' they will say, 'That which is true and just; and He is the Most High Most Great'."

Surah 20:109

On that Day shall no intercession avail except for those for whom permission has been granted by (God) Most Gracious and whose word is acceptable to Him.

Surah 2:255

God! There is no god but He, - the Living, the Self-subsisting, Eternal. No slumber can seize Him nor sleep. His are all things in the heavens and on earth. Who is there can intercede in His presence except as He permitteth? He knoweth what (appeareth to His creatures as) before or after or behind them. Nor shall they compass aught of His knowledge except as He willeth. His Throne doth extend over the heavens and the earth, and He feeleth no fatigue in guarding and preserving them for He is the Most High, the Supreme (in glory).

Surah 21:28

He knows what is before them, and what is behind them, and they offer no intercession except for those who are acceptable, and they stand in awe and reverence of His (Glory).

Surah 53:26

How many-so-ever be the angels in the heavens, and that he is acceptable to Him. their intercession will avail nothing except after God has given leave for whom He pleases

So this shows that Muhammad's intercession really means nothing and is completely useless unless God willed it to be useful. God chooses whom Muhammad should give intercession to and this is the honor that the Prophet has.

Back to Rebuttals, and exposing the lies of the Answering Islam team section.

Prophet Muhammad's (peace be upon him) section.

Contradictions and History of Corruption in the Bible.

Bassam Zawadi's Rebuttals section.

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