INTERCESSORS (AND INTERCESSION)

- by Ali,

  * Some Shi`ites pray this prayer to call on Ali's intercession before Allah:

  > Nadi Aliyyan mazhar al-ajib
  > Tajidahau aunan lakafin-nawaib
  > Kullu hammin wa ghammin sayanj-i Ali
  > Bi wilayatika, Ya Ali, Ya Ali, Ya Ali!

  > Call Ali, Call Ali, Call Ali,
  > Call Ali who is the manifestation of marvels;
  > You will find him your helper in cala
  > You will find him your helper in calamities.
  > Every anxiety and grief will come to an end,
  > Through your friendship, O Ali, O Ali, O Ali!

- by Muhammad,

  * Many Muslims believed that Muhammad will interceed for them on the day of judgment. However, there are also others who view this as shirk (idolatry)

  > Narrated Jabir bin 'Abdullah:
  > Allah's Apostle said, "Whoever after listening to the Adhan says, 'Allahumma Rabba hadhihi-d-da' watit-tammati was-salatil qa'imati, ati Muhammadan al-wasilata wal-fadilata, wab' athhu maqaman mahmudan-il-ladhi wa' adtahu (O Allah! Lord of this perfect call (of not ascribing partners to You) and of the regular prayer which is going to be established! Kindly give Muhammad the right of intercession and superiority and send him (on the Day of Judgment) to the best and the highest place in Paradise which You promised him)', then intercession for me will be permitted for him on the Day of Resurrection"). (Sahih Bukhari 1.588, also Sahih Bukhari 2.553)

  see also Muhammad, intercession of.

  On the other hand, there are others like the Khalifites who do not believe in intercession. They argue that intercession belongs only to God (az-Zumar 39:44), on the Last Day there will be no intercession, (al-Baqarah 2:254), that the prophets cannot intercede except on behalf of those already saved by God (al-Anbiya' 21:28), that the prophets themselves worry about their own fate. See also al-Baqarah 2:48,123; al-An`am 6:51,70,94; al-A`raf 7:53; at-Taubah 9:80,114; Yunus 10:3; Hud 11:46; al-Lahab 111:1-3. They argued that since neither Noah, Abraham nor Muhammed could intercede on the behalf of their own loved ones, how could Muhammad intercede for others.

- al-Baqarah 2:48,123; al-An`am 6:51,70,95; Yunus 10:4,19; Saba' 34:23; az-Zumar 39:43; an-Najm 53:26

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