An article on: Intercession and Transfer of deeds

Man_of_Faith

Salaam Am,

Thanks for clarifying that about Abraham and his father. God may have liked that Abraham kept his promise to his father and thus forgiven him without being upset. Abraham also seems to have been in high favor in God?s eyes, which can be easily understood from the Quranic discourse. And there is little wonder why, he was probably better than most of us.

I am always a bit afraid of committing idol worship because Abraham impresses me so, but I never put him before or close to rank with God. Anyway, there is an example with all prophets, I do not disregard anyone of them. But they are no lords, intercessors or "mini-gods". They just help me with my way of living.

Also I would like to clarify that I did mean that Hell is eternal, what I tried to convey is that I think the Quranic description is allegorical and the Hell-world is just a miserable place with a bad climate, food, drink, scenery and you will always be sweating or feel cold, never feel comfortable. Not a place anyone would like to be.

God bless you

unknownuser

3 ? The intercession of the Messenger (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) for his uncle Abu Taalib

It was narrated from Abu Sa?eed al-Khudri (may Allaah be pleased with him) that mention was made of his uncle Abu Taalib in the presence of the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him). He said, ?Perhaps my intercession will benefit him on the Day of Resurrection, and he will be placed in a shallow part of the Fire which will come up to his ankles and cause his brains to boil.? (Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 1408; Muslim, 360).

So this is what they claim the most that can be done for a non believer. There is intercession for believers according to Sunni Islam who are in hell or entering hell because Sunni Islam believes a person can be punished for a while and then leave hell.

Many Quranist do not believe that a person can leave hell once he enters.

unknownuser

Salaam,

Hell seems to be an eternal experience, but I think the Quranic description is allegorical. It may be a horrible world with little luxury, worthless food/ water and so on, but I doubt, although I do not claim to know, that you just burn and burn for eternity.

Anyway, I doubt anyone would like to end up in Hell, but I have my doubts God would not expose someone for eternal pain without any relief. I think it is an allegory for a world with poor living conditions and low expectations of standard. Maybe the remnants of the old destroyed world?

Well, it does not matter, just a reason to stay away, aye? But still interesting to think about.

Since all the above was off-topic, I will take some relevant things too

Intercession is not possible, except if it is according to His Will.

No being except God has any power of intercession.

If someone can intercede, it is because God wanted/allowed it.

An angel would only intercede if permitted by God, otherwise it would be like the downfall of Satan.

We learn from the Quran that it is unrighteous to ask God to forgive those who are destined for Hell, as in the case of Noah and his son or Abraham and his father. Or rather question God?s judgment.

I feel that you can pray that God will offer someone guidance, but we should not whine if the person is not being blessed.

Consider that, why would, in theory, Muhammad intercede for someone he never knew and try God's temper, and whom is destined for Hell?

Transfer of deeds

Your deeds are your deeds, your neighbor's deeds are your neighbor's deeds. You will not be punished for something your father did and your father will not be punished for your doings. If your father was a righteous man but you are not, then you will not benefit from his righteousness.

God bless you

Peace,

Cool summary bro

Man_of_Faith

Salaam,

Thank God for that, He is the Doer of everything )

God bless you

unknownuser

Salaam Everyone

There is a traditional view which exists among present day Muslims regarding the concept of intercession which is based on hadith literature. This view is not supported by the Quran. The Quran repeatedly holds each individual responsible for his or her own conduct.

The true concept of God who is running the affairs of the universe is only contained in the Quran, as it is given by god Himself to mankind. One of the attributes frequently mentioned by god about himself is 'Aziz-ul-Hakeem' which is translated as the Exalted in Power, the Wise. The very concept of intercession means to give someone advantage which one does not deserve and is against the concept of justice. God the Wise can never be expected to do that. This concept if accepted, brings down the whole building block of 'din' as presented in the Quran by god. We all know that a person who accepts intercession in worldly life can never expected to deliver justice.

And they say, "Never will the Fire touch us, except for a few days." Say, "Have you taken a covenant with Allah ? For Allah will never break His covenant. Or do you say about Allah that which you do not know?" 280

And the record will be placed , and you will see the criminals fearful of that within it, and they will say, "Oh, woe to us! What is this book that leaves nothing small or great except that it has enumerated it?" And they will find what they did present . And your Lord does injustice to no one. 1849

Then will We treat the Muslims like the criminals? What is with you? How do you judge? Or do you have a scripture in which you learn. That indeed for you is whatever you choose? Or do you have oaths upon Us, extending until the Day of Resurrection, that indeed for you is whatever you judge? 683539

Allah presents an example of those who disbelieved the wife of Noah and the wife of Lot. They were under two of Our righteous servants but betrayed them, so those prophets did not avail them from Allah at all, and it was said, "Enter the Fire with those who enter." 6681

And Noah called upon his Lord, and said "O my Lord! surely my son is of my family! and Thy promise is true, and Thou art the justest of Judges!" He said "O Noah! He is not of thy family For his conduct is unrighteous. So ask not of Me that of which thou hast no knowledge! I give thee counsel, lest thou act like the ignorant!" Noah said "O my Lord! I do seek refuge with Thee, lest I ask Thee for that of which I have no knowledge. And unless thou forgive me and have Mercy on me, I should indeed be lost!" S. 1145-47

That Day, no intercession will benefit except one to whom the Most Merciful has given permission and has accepted his word. 20109

Ibraheem (pbuh) is the only prophet permitted to ask for forgiveness for his Mushrik father in the Book.

There has already been for you an excellent pattern in Abraham and those with him, when they said to their people, "Indeed, we are disassociated from you and from whatever you worship other than Allah . We have denied you, and there has appeared between us and you animosity and hatred forever until you believe in Allah alone" except for the saying of Abraham to his father, "I will surely ask forgiveness for you, but I have not for you anything against Allah . Our Lord, upon You we have relied, and to You we have returned, and to You is the destination. 604

Our Lord, forgive me and my parents and the believers the Day the account is established." 1441

Peace

Salaam,

Thanks for the verses, and sharing your thoughts. I agree with you; if intercession exists the way the traditional Muslims think, then that would definitely be unjust. One thing however, is that, I feel the translation you provided of 20109 is slightly off. This is what I have provided in my article

Ch. 20 Verse 109 On that day, Shafa?at (Intercession) will not benefit anyone other than him whom has granted permission the Merciful, and accepts for him a word.

See the bold part? It is not 'Accepted his word', but more like 'Accepted for him a word'. This changes the meaning to quite some extent. This is based upon my knowledge of the prefixed preposition 'lm' at the beginning of the pronoun 'him'.