Imam Sadeq (a.s.) said thus: فَوَ اللهِ لاَ تَنَالُ شَفَاعَتُنَا اِذَا رَكَبَ هٰذَا (يَعْنِي اَلزِّنَا) حَتَّي يُصِيْبَه اَلَمِ الْعَذَابِ وَ يَرَيٰ هَوْلَ جَهَنَّمٍ. “By Allah (s.w.t.) our intercession for a fornicator will not be up to that time till he has not tasted grievous punishment.
Beside this other sins like, interest, false narration, backbiting, having attraction towards base action, and to be infatuated towards music, will not be easily interceded.” [^8] Those Actions Which Expedite Intercession There are such few good action by virtue of which there is no delay in his intercession. We quote below a few deeds so that the readers may be inclined to do such actions by which they will be eligible for intercession.
(1) Belief In His Unity With A Pure Heart It goes without saying that the soul of good action is a pure heart, one who has it his small action will be sufficient for his salvation, therefore Holy Prophet (S) said: يَسْتَحِقُّ النَّاسُ بِشَفَاعَتِيْ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ مَنْ قَالَ لاَ اِلٰه اِلاَّ اللهُ خَالِصًا مِنْ قَلْبِه.
“Those person who utter لا اله الا الله from the bottom of the heart they will be the first to receive my intercession on the day of judgement.” [^9] (2) Long Prostration In His Presence By this, believers will be eligible for a quick intercession by the Holy Prophet (S). A person asked the Holy Prophet (S) for a promise to intercede to which Holy Prophet (S) replied that فَاَعِنِّي بِكَثْرَةِ الْسُّجُوْدِ.
“If you want my quick intercession then help me with your long prostration.” [^10] (3) To Send Blessing On Holy Prophet (S) And His Progeny (a.s.) We quote here one out of many traditions from Musnud Ibn Ahmed, vol. 4, p. 108, Holy Prophet (S) said that: مَنْ صَلَّي عَلٰي مُحَمَّدٍ وَّ آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ وَ جَبَتْ لَه شَفَاعَتِيْ.
“Those who send blessings on me and my progeny (a.s.) it will be incumbent on me to intercede for him.” (4) To Dole Out The Services To A Brother In Faith Although to help mankind in general is a good act but the status of one who helps his fellow brother is something greater. We only relate one out of many traditions.