What is the meaning of intercession in the Ayah?
ما المراد بالشفاعة في الآية؟
Allah Almighty says: (Whoever intercedes for a good cause will have a share in the reward, and whoever intercedes for an evil cause will have a share in the burden.) Surah An Nisa'a 4: 85.
قال الله تعالى: (مَّن يَشْفَعْ شَفَاعَةً حَسَنَةً يَكُن لَّهُ نَصِيبٌ مِّنْهَا ۖ وَمَن يَشْفَعْ شَفَاعَةً سَيِّئَةً يَكُن لَّهُ كِفْلٌ مِّنْهَا) النساء 4: 85.
Good and Evil Intercession | الشفاعة الحسنة والشفاعة السيئة
1. Good Intercession
Intercession is seeking good for others. And an intercession for good is seeking good from someone for someone else, knowing he may or may not deserve that good, without taking away anyone else's right.
1. الشفاعة الحسنة
الشفاعة هي طلب الخير للغير، والشفاعة الحسنة: أن يطلب الإنسان خيرا من غيره لغيره شيئا يستحقه، أو بما لا يستحقه، لكن فيه رحمة بالمشفوع له، دون أن يفوت حق أحد.
2. Evil Intercession
On the other hand, if that intercession takes away anyone's right, then it is an evil intercession.
2. الشفاعة السيئة
وإن كانت الشفاعة سيئة بأن تؤدي لإهدار الحقوق فهي شفاعة في الشر.
The Meaning of the Ayah and Hadith | معنى الآية والحديث
The Meaning of the Ayah: Whoever strives in a matter, and his striving will result in good, he will have a share of that good and reward without anything being diminished from the rewards of those who are working for a good cause. Conversely, whoever strives in a matter, and his striving will result in bad, then the seeker must bear the burden of that matter without decreasing others' evil burdens.
معنى الآية: من يسعى في أمر فيترتب على سعيه خير، كان له نصيب من ذلك الخير والأجر دون أن ينقص من أجر العاملين شيئا. ومن يسعى في أمر فترتب عليه شر، فعلى الساعي وزر ذلك الأمر دون أن ينقص من أوزارهم شيئا.
The Prophetic Support: It is reported in the Hadith: "Whosoever introduces a good practice in Islam, there is for him its reward and the reward of those who act upon it after him without anything being diminished from their rewards. And whosoever introduces an evil practice in Islam will shoulder its sin and the sins of all those who will act upon it, without diminishing in any way their burden." Narrated by Muslim.
الدليل من السنة: وفي الحديث: "من سن في الإسلام سنة حسنة، فله أجرها، وأجر من عمل بها بعده، من غير أن ينقص من أجورهم شيء، ومن سن في الإسلام سنة سيئة، كان عليه وزرها ووزر من عمل بها من بعده، من غير أن ينقص من أوزارهم شيء" رواه مسلم.
Frequently Asked Questions | الأسئلة الشائعة
What makes an intercession evil?
If the intercession takes away another person's rightful due or causes injustice, it is considered an evil intercession, and the person who made it shares fully in the burden of that sin.
Does an intercession always have to be for someone who perfectly deserves it?
Not necessarily. A good intercession can be for someone who fully deserves it or someone who does not completely deserve it, as long as it brings mercy and good without violating anyone else's rights.
What is the reward for introducing a good practice?
The Prophet pbuh stated that whoever introduces a good practice in Islam will receive its reward, plus the reward of everyone who acts upon it after them, without diminishing their rewards at all.