DOES THE INTERCESSION EXTEND TO ALL MUSLIMS WHO HAVE COMMITTED MAJOR SINS?

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There is a narration attributed to the Prophet (ص) stating:

ادخرتُ شفاعتي لأهل الكبائر من أمتي

"I have reserved my intercession for those among my community who commit major sins." [1]

At the same time, there is another well-known narration from Imam As-Sadiq (ع) which says:

لا تنال شفاعتنا مستخفًّا بصلاته

"Our intercession will not reach those who take their prayers lightly." [2]

How can these two narrations be reconciled?

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In order to reconcile the two narrations, it must be understood that not all major sins necessarily qualify their perpetrators for intercession. Although the Prophet’s (ص) intercession does encompass those among his community who commit major sins, there are numerous exceptions to this generality as indicated by various narrations from the Prophet and his Ahl al-Bayt (peace be upon them). One such exception, as indicated in the cited narration, is showing disregard for the prayer.

Other examples include:

• The narration from the Prophet (ص):

  مَن لم يُؤمن بشفاعتي فلا أناله الله شفاعتي

  “Whoever does not believe in my intercession, may God not grant him my intercession.” [3]

• A narration from Imam al-Sadiq (ع), from his fathers, from the Messenger of Allah (ص), who said:

  إذا قمتُ المقام المحمود تشفَّعت لأهل الكبائر من أمتي فيشفِّعني اللهُ فيهم، والله لا تشفَّعتُ فيمن آذى ذريتي

  
  “When I stand in the praised position (al-maqām al-maḥmūd), I shall intercede for the sinners among my community, and God shall permit me to intercede for them. By God, I will not intercede for one who has wronged my progeny.” [4]

• The narration from the Prophet (ص):

  شفاعتي لأهل الكبائر من أمتي ما خلا الشرك والظلم

  “My intercession is for the sinners among my community, except for those who commit polytheism or injustice.” [5]

• Another narration from Imam al-Sadiq (ع):

  إنَّ شفاعتنا لا تنال مستخفًّا بالصلاة، ولم يرد علينا الحوض مَن يشرب من هذه الأشربة، فقال له بعضُهم: أيُّ أشربةٍ هي؟ فقال (ع): كلُّ مسكر

  “Our intercession does not reach the one who takes prayer lightly, nor will one who consumes intoxicants approach us at the [heavenly] pool.” One of the listeners asked: “Which intoxicants?” The Imam replied: “Every type of intoxicant.” [6]

• Another narration from Imam al-Sadiq (ع), from his father, who reported that the Prophet (ص) said:

  صنفان لا تنالهما شفاعتي: سلطانٌ غشوم عسوف وغالٍ في الدين، مارقٌ منه غير تائب ولا نازع

  
  “Two groups shall not receive my intercession: a tyrannical and oppressive ruler, and one who is extreme in religion and has deviated from it without repenting or returning.” [7]

• And also from the Prophet (ص):

  رجلان لا تنالهما شفاعتي صاحبُ سلطانٍ عسوفٌ غشومٌ وغالٍ في الدين مارقٌ

  “Two men shall not benefit from my intercession: one who is a tyrannical and oppressive ruler, and one who is an extremist in religion who has deviated from it.” [8]

• A narration reported by Saʿīd ibn Jubayr from Ibn ʿAbbās: the Messenger of Allah (ص) said to ʿAlī (ع):

  قد أفلح مَن والاك وخاب وخسِرَ من قلاك، محبُّو محمدٍ (ص) محبُّوك ومبغضوه مبغضوك لا تناله شفاعة محمَّدٍ (ص)

  
  “Successful is the one who is loyal to you, and ruined and doomed is the one who hates you. The lovers of Muḥammad (ص) are your lovers, and those who hate him are your enemies. The intercession of Muḥammad (ص) will not reach them.” [9]

It is also necessary to point out a critical clarification: intercession for those who commit major sins does not necessarily imply that they will be spared the Fire altogether. Rather, intercession may only reach them after they have endured a prolonged period of punishment.

All praise is due to Allah, Lord of the Worlds.

References

[1] Biḥār al-Anwār, by al-ʿAllāmah al-Majlisī, vol. 8, p. 30

[2] Man Lā Yaḥḍuruhu al-Faqīh, by al-Shaykh al-Ṣadūq, vol. 1, p. 206

[3] ʿUyūn Akhbār al-Riḍāʾ, by al-Shaykh al-Ṣadūq, vol. 1, book 2, chap. 11, ḥadīth no. 35

[4] Al-Amālī, by al-Shaykh al-Ṣadūq, book 1, chap. 49, ḥadīth no. 3

[5] Al-Khiṣāl, by al-Shaykh al-Ṣadūq, book 8, chap. 27, ḥadīth no. 1

[6] Mustadrak al-Wasā'il, by al-Muhaddith al-Nūrī, vol. 17, p. 58

[7] Biḥār al-Anwār, by al-ʿAllāmah al-Majlisī, vol. 25, p. 269

[8] Al-Khiṣāl, by al-Shaykh al-Ṣadūq, book 3, chap. 76, ḥadīth no. 2

[9] Al-Amālī, by al-Shaykh al-Ṭūsī, p. 604

The original text in arabic can be found here

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