How do we reconcile the statement of Allah the Exalted: << فما تنفعهم شفاعة الشافعين >> with the intercession of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) for his uncle Abu Talib?
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The questioner : May Allah reward you. It is written in the commentary on al-Lum'ah that among the intercession by which Allah the Exalted singled out His Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) is his intercession for his uncle Abu Talib.
The Shaykh : Yes.
The questioner : This was difficult for me to understand, given that this occurred in this world, and that Allah the Exalted honored His Prophet with it as a reward for Abu Talib’s kindness. So how can the intercession be specific to him...?
The Shaykh : Yes. The intercession for Abu Talib by the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) was not accepted and was not granted; only the alleviation of the punishment was accepted. For this reason, and may Allah protect us, and he sees that he is the most severely punished of the people of the Fire, while he is the least severely punished of them. But he sees that he is the most severe in order to strengthen his grief, and may Allah protect us. So this is an intercession that is accepted from one aspect and not accepted from another aspect.
But it is asked: How do we answer the statement of Allah the Exalted:[Al-Muddaththir 74:48]?
We said: This is what benefited him fully; he benefited from the alleviation of the punishment from him. Then, this man’s intercession was not because of his closeness to the Messenger (may Allah’s prayer and peace be upon him), but because he defended Islam and Islam benefited from him. And whoever reads the biography when the Messenger (may Allah’s prayer and peace be upon him) was sent knows what happened from Abu Talib in terms of great striving and defense of the Messenger (may Allah’s prayer and peace be upon him).
And Allah the Exalted is a just Judge; He does not let go to waste one who defended His religion, until Allah made it easy for him by Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) to intercede for him.
The questioner : Is it considered more of a supplication than intercession?
The student: No, it is intercession; supplication is intercession. The Prophet (may Allah’s prayer and peace be upon him) said:Sahih Muslim 948 Supplication is intercession. Yes.
Do you see your father, O Salman? Yes, indeed.
The Shaykh : Yes.
The questioner : This was difficult for me to understand, given that this occurred in this world, and that Allah the Exalted honored His Prophet with it as a reward for Abu Talib’s kindness. So how can the intercession be specific to him...?
The Shaykh : Yes. The intercession for Abu Talib by the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) was not accepted and was not granted; only the alleviation of the punishment was accepted. For this reason,
He was in a shallow part of the Fire, and he had sandals of fire on his feet from which his brain was boiling.
كان في ضحضاح من نار وعليه نعلان من نار يغلي منهما دماغهBut it is asked: How do we answer the statement of Allah the Exalted:
So there will not benefit them the intercession of [any] intercessors.
فما تنفعهم شفاعة الشافعينWe said: This is what benefited him fully; he benefited from the alleviation of the punishment from him. Then, this man’s intercession was not because of his closeness to the Messenger (may Allah’s prayer and peace be upon him), but because he defended Islam and Islam benefited from him. And whoever reads the biography when the Messenger (may Allah’s prayer and peace be upon him) was sent knows what happened from Abu Talib in terms of great striving and defense of the Messenger (may Allah’s prayer and peace be upon him).
And Allah the Exalted is a just Judge; He does not let go to waste one who defended His religion, until Allah made it easy for him by Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) to intercede for him.
The questioner : Is it considered more of a supplication than intercession?
The student: No, it is intercession; supplication is intercession. The Prophet (may Allah’s prayer and peace be upon him) said:
If any Muslim dies and forty men who associate nothing with Allah stand over his prayer (they offer prayer over him), Allah will accept them as intercessors for him.
ما من رجل مسلم يموت فيقوم على جنازته أربعون رجلا لا يشركون بالله شيئا إلا شفعهم الله فيهDo you see your father, O Salman? Yes, indeed.