Shafā‘ah

التعريف

Affirmed only by Allah's permission, for those He is pleased with — sought from Him alone. Includes the Greatest Intercession (al-‘Uẓmā) granted to the Prophet ﷺ for relief at the Standing, and his intercession for sinners of his Ummah. Seeking intercession from the dead is shirk.

النطق: sha-FĀ-‘ah

الاشتقاق والجذر

From شفع (shaf‘), meaning 'pair, even number.' The intercessor 'pairs' his request with the petitioner's need before the One who has authority.

الاستخدام في القرآن

'Who is it that can intercede with Him except by His permission?' (al-Baqarah 2:255)

ملاحظات علمية

Two conditions for intercession: Allah's permission for the intercessor, and His pleasure with the one interceded for. The mushrik fails the second condition — hence shirk nullifies eligibility for intercession.

مفاهيم خاطئة شائعة

Some seek intercession by calling upon the Prophet ﷺ or saints in their graves. This is shirk. The proper way is to ask Allah directly for the Prophet's ﷺ intercession (e.g. in the du‘ā' after the adhān).

التطبيق العملي

After hearing the adhān, say the legislated du‘ā' asking Allah to grant the Prophet ﷺ al-Wasīlah and al-Faḍīlah — and his intercession on your behalf will be deserved.

المزيد من Aqeedah Terms