The Ruling on Intercession by the Honour of the Prophet in Islam

Understanding the Permissible and Impermissible Forms of Intercession in Islam

In the Name of Allāh, the Entirely Gracious, the Exclusively Merciful

 Question:

The brother asks: What is the ruling on someone who says: “I ask for intercession by the jaah (honour) of the Prophet (ﷺ) that Allah grant me such and such,” or says: “O Allah, by the honour of Your Prophet, grant me such and such”?

 Answer:

Firstly, for the benefit, “jaah” (honour) means a high status. Allah says about Musa:

 ﴿وَكَانَ عِنْدَ اللَّهِ وَجِيهًا﴾

 “And he was honourable before Allah”

And about ‘Isaa:

 ﴿وَجِيهًا فِي الدُّنْيَا وَالآخِرَةِ وَمِنَ الْمُقَرَّبِينَ﴾ 

“Held in honour in this world and in the Hereafter, and will be one of those who are near to Allah”

However, this type of supplication is prohibited and is a heresy. To say, “By the honour of Your Prophet, forgive me,” is a heretical supplication. The status of the prophets is great, but it is not permissible to intercede by the honour of the prophets. 

How can you say “O Allah, by the honour of Your Prophet, forgive me” What connection is there between their status and seeking forgiveness for you? 

Rather, if you say, “O Allah, I have believed in Your Prophet and followed Your Prophet, so forgive me,” is this permissible? The answer is: Yes, this is permissible. This is an intercession by Imaan and following, which is a legitimate supplication. There is a connection between your intercession and your supplication. Your Imaan and following of the Prophet are righteous deeds, and you ask Allah by your righteous deeds. This is a permissible intercession.

As for saying, “By the honour of so-and-so, forgive me,” this is not valid. It is as if you are saying, “O Allah, so-and-so prays, fasts, worships You, and performs Hajj, so forgive me.” What is the connection between this and that? The individual is the one who strives and worships. Can someone accept this? Saying, “O Allah, so-and-so maintains the five daily prayers and is also a scholar who teaches Muslims, so forgive me, O Rabb”, what is this?! This is not correct.

If someone says: “O Allah, due to my love for the scholars”, “O Allah, I love the scholars” or if he says: “You know that I defend the scholars with the truth, so forgive me,” is this permissible? The answer is: Yes, this is permissible. This is an intercession by a righteous deed, which is allowed.

There is a connection between the means you mentioned and Allah granting you forgiveness. This is an intercession by righteous deeds, as was done by the people of the cave. One of them interceded by honouring his parents, another by his chastity, and the third by his trustworthiness.

This is also evident from the Ayaat:

 ﴿رَبَّنَا آمَنَّا بِمَا أَنْزَلْتَ وَاتَّبَعْنَا الرَّسُولَ فَاكْتُبْنَا مَعَ الشَّاهِدِينَ﴾.

“Our Rabb! We believe in what You have sent down, and we follow the Messenger [(‘Isa (Jesus)]; so write us down among those who bear witness (to the truth i.e. La ilaha illallah – There is no deity worthy of worship in truth except Allah)”

﴿رَبَّنَا آمَنَّا فَاغْفِرْ لَنَا وَارْحَمْنَا وَأَنْتَ خَيْرُ الرَّاحِمِينَ﴾.

“Our Rabb! We believe, so forgive us, and have mercy on us, for You are the Best of all who show mercy!”

﴿رَبَّنَا إِنَّنَا سَمِعْنَا مُنَادِيًا يُنَادِي لِلإيمَانِ أَنْ آمِنُوا بِرَبِّكُمْ فَآمَنَّا رَبَّنَا فَاغْفِرْ لَنَا ذُنُوبَنَا وَكَفِّرْ عَنَّا سَيِّئَاتِنَا وَتَوَفَّنَا مَعَ الأبْرَارِ﴾.

“Our Rabb! Verily, we have heard the call of the one (Muhammad ﷺ) calling to Imaan: ‘Believe in your Rabb,’ and we have believed. Our Rabb! Forgive us our sins and expiate from us our evil deeds, and make us die (in the state of righteousness) along with Al-Abrar (the pious believers of Islamic Monotheism)”

Thus, interceding by following an Imaan in the Prophet is permissible. However, interceding by the Prophet’s honour or his right that you are forgiven, is a heresy. Muslims should avoid it. May Allah guide us and all Muslims to what He loves and is pleased with.

فتاوى فضيلة الشيخ محمد بن حزام الفضلي البعداني حفظه الله وتولاه

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