Winners of Intercession on Judgement Day
We are all aware of the purpose of our life and that is to worship Allah SWT. Our speech, our actions and our good intentions will all be revealed and accounted for on the day of judgment.
However, we are all acutely aware that it is only through the blessing and mercy of Allah SWT that we will be successful on this day. Alongside, our deeds we have the hope that we will be benefitted from intercession on that day.
So what does intercession actually mean and why is it so important? The act of intercession is trying to bring a benefit, or remove an obstacle to a person other than oneself. In other words, Allah SWT will give permission to who He chooses to intercede on behalf of you and I and help us in front of Allah SWT in being forgiven our shortcomings in our good deeds.
However, it is important to note here that the ability to intercede on the day of Judgement lies only with Allah SWT and therefore nobody can claim to be able to do this without direct evidence from our religion.
Firstly, there are 3 conditions for intercession.
- Allah SWT is pleased with the intercessor
- Allah SWT is pleased with the person receiving intercession
- Allah SWT giving permission for the intercessor to intercede
The imam mentioned the 26th ayat of Sura An-Najm in respect of this topic which is translated to say:
And how many angels there are in the heavens whose intercession will not avail at all except [only] after Allah has permitted [it] to whom He wills and approves.
Secondly, we are told that intercession is a blessing only for those who are believers. We know this through the hadith in which the Prophet SAWS prayed for his Uncle who had passed away until the 113th ayat of Sura Tauba had been revealed which said:
It is not for the Prophet and those who have believed to ask forgiveness for the polytheists, even if they were relatives, after it has become clear to them that they are companions of Hellfire.
Dear brothers and sisters, so the next question we must ask ourselves is what proven actions have been documented that we can adopt in order to receive the benefit of intercession?
The khutba concludes with 5 actions we can all follow in order to benefit from intercession on the day of Judgment.
- Is to have a firm belief and action in the oneness of Allah SWT alongside pure intentions. This is backed by the hadith of the Prophet SAWS which says:
I said: “O Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ)! Who will be the luckiest person, who will gain your intercession on the Day of Resurrection?” Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) said: O Abu Huraira! “I have thought that none will ask me about it before you as I know your longing for the (learning of) Hadiths. The luckiest person who will have my intercession on the Day of Resurrection will be the one who said sincerely from the bottom of his heart “None has the right to be worshipped but Allah.”
- Is to read and contemplate on the meaning of the Quran regularly. This is backed by the hadith in which the Prophet SAWS said:
Recite the Qur’an, for on the Day of Resurrection it will come as an intercessor for those who recite It. Recite the two bright ones, al-Baqara and Surah Al ‘Imran, for on the Day of Resurrection they will come as two clouds or two shades, or two flocks of birds in ranks, pleading for those who recite them. Recite Surah al-Baqara, for to take recourse to it is a blessing and to give it up is a cause of grief, and the magicians cannot confront it.
- Fasting regularly can help achieve intercession. This is backed by hadith and we should all aim to fast Mondays and Thursdays if we can as this is from the sunnah of the Prophet SAWS.
- Is praying on the dead. Dear brothers and sisters, we pray that our funeral falls under this category when the time comes. The hadith is translated to say:
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, “If a Muslim dies and forty people, who do not associate anything with Allah in worship, participate in the funeral prayer over him, Allah will accept their intercession for him.”
- Another hadith is on the dua done after the call to prayer is heard. We should all aim to memorize this supplication so that we can benefit from its reward. This is backed by the hadith which is translated to say:
“The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: ‘Whoever says, when he hears the call to prayer: “Allahumma rabba hadhihid-da’wat it-tammah was-salat il-qaimah, ati Muahmmadan al-wasilah wal-fadilah, wab’athu maqaman mahmudan alladhi wa’adtahu (O Allah, Lord of this perfect call and the prayer to be offered, grant Muhammad the privilege (of interceding) and also the eminence, and resurrect him to the praised position that you have promised),’ will be granted my intercession on the Day of Resurrection.”
Dear brothers and sisters, we are blessed with the religion of Islam in that we are being clearly taught ways in which we can have intercession upon us on the Day of Judgement. Lets use today’s reminder to benefit from these practical tips and be of those who are the winners of intercession on Judgement Day.
