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Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books Spurious Arguments about the Shia The Fourth Spurious Argument: The Interncession of the Prophets, Imams and Saints Some people find fault with the Shias claiming that they believe in the intercession of the Prophet, the Imams and Saints and that they ask them to be intercessors for them with Allah on the Day of Judgment. The Answer Evidence for the validity of intercession is found in the Holy Qur’an.

We have talked about this topic in detail in our book titled al-Jami’ li Barahin Usul ul-I’tiqadaat p.419-422. Intercession, according to the Holy Qur’an, is of two types: The First Type The first type is intercession without Allah. It is an intercession to other than Himself that Allah (Blessed and Exalted is He) denies. Allah says, There is no guardian for them or any intercessor besides Him. (Qur’an 6:51) There are other verses having the same meaning.

Generally, intercession depends upon the power over conveying the needs of the person requesting the intercession and the obligation of the one interceded to fulfil this need even if he is not pleased with it. Such intercession cannot be for other than Allah (Exalted is He). Allah says: Say: Allah's is the intercession altogether. His is the kingdom of the heavens and the earth. (Qur’an 39:44) Believing in the intercession of any other save Allah in this respect is a form of polytheism.

The idolaters worshipped idols in order to obtain such an intercession, as testified to in the Holy Qur’an. The Second Type The second type is intercession with Allah’s permission. Allah has made this type of intercession an exception from that intercession that he has denied and has granted it to whomever He has willed. Allah says, Who is he that can intercede with Him but by His permission?

(Qur’an 2:255) Whose intercession does not avail at all except after Allah has given permission to whomsoever He pleases and chooses. (Qur’an 53:26) ...and they do not intercede except for him whom He approves (Qur’an 21:28) This type of intercession consists of simply asking Allah on behalf of him who is to be interceded for. Another kind of intercession is asking Allah to forgive others. Allah has permitted his (s) to ask Him for forgivness for believing men and believing women.

Allah says, and ask pardon for them, and take counsel with them in the affair. (Qur’an 3:159) and ask forgiveness for them from Allah.