Question:

What is the proof that Allah (swt) has given the Ahlul Bayt shafa’ah(intercession) for the Shias?

Answer:

The fact that Allah the Exalted has given the Prophet the right of intercession for Muslims is proven in the following Qur’anic ayah: “and had they, when they were unjust tothemselves, come to you and asked forgiveness of Allah and the Messenger had(also) asked forgiveness for them, they would have found Allah Oft-returning(to mercy), Merciful.” (4:64). In this ayah, Allah (swt) clearly indicates that the prophet’s forgiveness is necessary and that it plays a great role in being forgiven by Allah. There is also proof for this in the Sunni books of narration:

In Wafaaul Wafaa, it is narrated that the Muslims who lived shortly after the time of the Prophet(pbuh) invoked the Prophet (pbuh) and asked for his help when there was a famine in the Muslim community.

In Bukhari (2:32) it is related that Umar himself invoked Abbas, the uncle of the Prophet (pbuh).

As for the right of intercession given to the Ahlul Bayt, this is simply an extension of the right given to the Prophet (pbuh). The Ahlul Bayt are from the same light as the Prophet (pbuh) and they enjoy most of the rights given by Allah (SWT) to His Prophet. Various ayat in the Qur’an, such as the ayah of Welayah and the ayah of Mubahala, prove this fact.

Below is an example of a major Sunni jurist invoking the intercession of the Ahlul Bayt.

Al-Shafii, one of the four Imams of the Sunni school of thought in a famous poem said:

“the family of the Prophet are my refuge, and they are to Him my path,
I wish that because of them, I will be given tomorrow my book in my right hand”

There are also countless narrations in Shia’a books that the Ahlul Bayt intercede for their Shi’ah.

Answered by: Dr Ali Alsamail
Certified by: Sheikh Mansour Leghaei