Definition
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.
Pronunciation: sha-FĀ-‘ah
Etymology & Root
From شفع (shaf‘), meaning 'pair, even number.' The intercessor 'pairs' his request with the petitioner's need before the One who has authority.
Usage in the Qur'an
'Who is it that can intercede with Him except by His permission?' (al-Baqarah 2:255)
Scholarly Notes
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.
Common Misconceptions
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).
Practical Application
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.
In classical books
Search across the corpus
Related Terms
More from Aqeedah Terms
The Day of Judgement.
Stripping Allah of His attributes.
The pious predecessors — first three generations.
Directing all worship to Allah alone.
Disbelief — rejecting Allah or what He revealed.
Methodology — the path of understanding and applying Islam.