Intercession: Myth and Reality

Intercession (shafa’a / شفاعة ) refers to the act of pleading or mediating on someone’s behalf. In the context of the Hereafter, it specifically denotes the idea of one entity intervening to forgive the sins of another, thus forever altering their destiny in the Hereafter.

Meaning

The root for the word intercession ( shafa’a / شفاعة ) is “shin-fa-ayn” ( ش ف ع ) and has the following derivative meanings.

intercede; intercessor; to make even that which was odd; make double; pair; make a thing to be on of the pair; adjoin a thing to its like; protect; mediate

The root occurs in the Quran 31 times and is used only twice in reference to anything other than intercession. These two occurrences can give us some color to the meaning of this word.

The first of the two is regarding mediating deeds.

[4:85] Whoever mediates a good intervention receives a share of the credit thereof, and whoever mediates an evil intervention, incurs a share thereof. GOD controls all things.

 مَّن يَشْفَعْ شَفَـٰعَةً حَسَنَةً يَكُن لَّهُۥ نَصِيبٌ مِّنْهَا وَمَن يَشْفَعْ شَفَـٰعَةً سَيِّئَةً يَكُن لَّهُۥ كِفْلٌ مِّنْهَا وَكَانَ ٱللَّهُ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَىْءٍ مُّقِيتًا

1	man	مَّن	Whoever
2	yashfaʿ	يَشْفَعْ	[he] intercedes / advocates / mediates –
3	shafāʿatan	شَفَـٰعَةً	an intercession / advocation / mediation
4	ḥasanatan	حَسَنَةً	good,
5	yakun	يَكُن	[it] will be
6	lahu	لَّهُۥ	for him
7	naṣībun	نَصِيبٌ	a share
8	min’hā	مِّنْهَا	of it;
9	waman	وَمَن	and whoever
10	yashfaʿ	يَشْفَعْ	[he] intercedes / advocates / mediates –
11	shafāʿatan	شَفَـٰعَةً	an intercession / advocation / mediation
12	sayyi-atan	سَيِّئَةً	evil,
13	yakun	يَكُن	[it] will be
14	lahu	لَّهُۥ	for him
15	kif’lun	كِفْلٌ	a portion
16	min’hā	مِّنْهَا	of it.
17	wakāna	وَكَانَ	And [He] is
18	l-lahu	ٱللَّهُ	God
19	ʿalā	عَلَىٰ	over
20	kulli	كُلِّ	every
21	shayin	شَىْءٍ	thing
22	muqītan	مُّقِيتًا	a Controller of Distributions.

This verse underlines the concept that intercession is a form of intervention and is not merely a neutral act but carries moral weight and consequences. When someone intercedes with good intentions, aiming to help, support, or advocate for someone in a manner that aligns with righteousness and justice, they share in the positive outcomes of that action. Conversely, if the intercession is for a harmful or unjust cause, the interceder shares in the responsibility and negative consequences of that act.

The verse concludes by affirming God’s omnipotence and oversight ( وَكَانَ ٱللَّهُ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَىْءٍ مُّقِيتًا ), emphasizing that Allah is the ultimate guardian and overseer of all affairs, aware of every action and its intention, whether visible or hidden.

The other occurrence of the root occurs in the following verse, where God swears by the even and the odd. The word for “even” is “al-shafʿi” ( ٱلشَّفْعِ ).

[89:3] By the even and the odd.

(٣) وَٱلشَّفْعِ وَٱلْوَتْرِ

1	wal-shafʿi	وَٱلشَّفْعِ	By the even
2	wal-watri	وَٱلْوَتْرِ	and the odd.

The link between intercession and its etymological connection in Arabic with the word “even” (shaf’ / شفع) sheds light on how we can better understand this concept. Intercession, in its essence, is about intervention—a mediator stepping in to alter a situation, often to bring about a resolution or to tilt the balance in favor of mercy or forgiveness. This act of intercession can be seen as an attempt to “even out” or harmonize what is imbalanced.

In connecting these concepts, the verse highlights that intercession, when permitted by God, serves as a means to restore balance within the divine justice system. It emphasizes that while God’s oneness (signified by the odd) remains unparalleled and sovereign, the act of intercession (reflected in the idea of making things even) plays a role in God’s mercy and grace toward His creation.

Thus, the concept of intercession, tied to the symbolic meaning of the even and the odd, demonstrates that true intercession, as depicted in the Quran, is not merely an act of tipping the scales arbitrarily but is deeply rooted in the divine principles of balance, order, and mercy. It signifies the potential for transformation and redemption, always within the bounds of God’s will and oversight, highlighting the compassionate aspect of divine justice.

And who is more just, wise, or merciful than God? He is the best judge of His servants.

[10:106] “You shall not worship beside GOD what possesses no power to benefit you or harm you. If you do, you will be a transgressor.“
[10:107] If GOD touches you with a hardship, none can relieve it except He. And when He blesses you, no force can prevent His grace. He bestows it upon whomever He chooses from among His servants. He is the Forgiver, Most Merciful.
[10:108] Proclaim: “O people, the truth has come to you herein from your Lord. Whoever is guided is guided for his own good. And whoever goes astray, goes astray to his own detriment. I am not a guardian over you.”
[10:109] Follow what is revealed to you, and be patient until GOD issues His judgment; He is the best judge.

 وَلَا تَدْعُ مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ مَا لَا يَنفَعُكَ وَلَا يَضُرُّكَ فَإِن فَعَلْتَ فَإِنَّكَ إِذًا مِّنَ ٱلظَّـٰلِمِينَ

 وَإِن يَمْسَسْكَ ٱللَّهُ بِضُرٍّ فَلَا كَاشِفَ لَهُۥٓ إِلَّا هُوَ وَإِن يُرِدْكَ بِخَيْرٍ فَلَا رَآدَّ لِفَضْلِهِۦ يُصِيبُ بِهِۦ مَن يَشَآءُ مِنْ عِبَادِهِۦ وَهُوَ ٱلْغَفُورُ ٱلرَّحِيمُ

 قُلْ يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلنَّاسُ قَدْ جَآءَكُمُ ٱلْحَقُّ مِن رَّبِّكُمْ فَمَنِ ٱهْتَدَىٰ فَإِنَّمَا يَهْتَدِى لِنَفْسِهِۦ وَمَن ضَلَّ فَإِنَّمَا يَضِلُّ عَلَيْهَا وَمَآ أَنَا۠ عَلَيْكُم بِوَكِيلٍ

 وَٱتَّبِعْ مَا يُوحَىٰٓ إِلَيْكَ وَٱصْبِرْ حَتَّىٰ يَحْكُمَ ٱللَّهُ وَهُوَ خَيْرُ ٱلْحَـٰكِمِينَ

Therefore to think anyone other than entity can adjust the scales to make the outcome more just is to set up another partner with God, which would be shirk (idol worship). Despite this the vast majority of Muslims think that other entities other than God will be permitted to do just that.

Hadith & Intercession

Sunnis believe that on the Day of Judgment, certain individuals will be granted the privilege by Allah to intercede for others, leading to reduced punishments or admittance into Paradise. According to Hadith, they believe that the prophet is given the special power to intercede on behalf of all people. They believe this is only a privilege granted to the prophet. In the following Hadith, Bukhari claims that every prophet was given one prayer, and the other prophets used theirs, but Muhammad saved him so he could intercede on the Day of Resurrection. Like most concepts in the Hadith, such a concept cannot be found in the Quran.

Narrated Abu Huraira: Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) said, “For every Prophet there is one invocation which is definitely fulfilled by Allah, and I wish, if Allah will, to keep my that (special) invocation as to be the intercession for my followers on the Day of Resurrection.”

حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو الْيَمَانِ، أَخْبَرَنَا شُعَيْبٌ، عَنِ الزُّهْرِيِّ، حَدَّثَنِي أَبُو سَلَمَةَ بْنُ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ، أَنَّ أَبَا هُرَيْرَةَ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏ “‏ لِكُلِّ نَبِيٍّ دَعْوَةٌ، فَأُرِيدُ إِنْ شَاءَ اللَّهُ أَنْ أَخْتَبِيَ دَعْوَتِي شَفَاعَةً لأُمَّتِي يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ ‏”‏‏.‏

Sahih al-Bukhari 7474
https://sunnah.com/bukhari:7474

Sunnis call this the “Great Intercession” (Shafa’ah Al-Uzma), where he will intercede for the entire ummah (Muslim community) on the Day of Judgment for the commencement of judgment and for people who were destined for Hell but believed in the oneness of God. This concept is encompassed in the following Hadith and does not exist in the Quran.

Narrated Anas: The Prophet (ﷺ) said, “On the Day of Resurrection, the Believers will assemble and say, ‘Let us ask somebody to intercede for us with our Lord.’ So they will go to Adam and say, ‘You are the father of all the people, and Allah created you with His Own Hands, and ordered the angels to prostrate to you, and taught you the names of all things; so please intercede for us with your Lord, so that He may relieve us from this place of ours.’ Adam will say, ‘I am not fit for this (i.e. intercession for you).’ Then Adam will remember his sin and feel ashamed thereof. He will say, ‘Go to Noah, for he was the first Apostle, Allah sent to the inhabitants of the earth.’ They will go to him and Noah will say, ‘I am not fit for this undertaking.’ He will remember his appeal to his Lord to do what he had no knowledge of, then he will feel ashamed thereof and will say, ‘Go to the Khalil–r-Rahman (i.e. Abraham).’ They will go to him and he will say, ‘I am not fit for this undertaking. Go to Moses, the slave to whom Allah spoke (directly) and gave him the Torah .’ So they will go to him and he will say, ‘I am not fit for this undertaking.’ and he will mention (his) killing a person who was not a killer, and so he will feel ashamed thereof before his Lord, and he will say, ‘Go to Jesus, Allah’s Slave, His Apostle and Allah’s Word and a Spirit coming from Him. Jesus will say, ‘I am not fit for this undertaking, go to Muhammad the Slave of Allah whose past and future sins were forgiven by Allah.’ So they will come to me and I will proceed till I will ask my Lord’s Permission and I will be given permission. When I see my Lord, I will fall down in Prostration and He will let me remain in that state as long as He wishes and then I will be addressed.’ (Muhammad!) Raise your head. Ask, and your request will be granted; say, and your saying will be listened to; intercede, and your intercession will be accepted.’ I will raise my head and praise Allah with a saying (i.e. invocation) He will teach me, and then I will intercede. He will fix a limit for me (to intercede for) whom I will admit into Paradise. Then I will come back again to Allah, and when I see my Lord, the same thing will happen to me. And then I will intercede and Allah will fix a limit for me to intercede whom I will let into Paradise, then I will come back for the third time; and then I will come back for the fourth time, and will say, ‘None remains in Hell but those whom the Qur’an has imprisoned (in Hell) and who have been destined to an eternal stay in Hell.’ “ (The compiler) Abu `Abdullah said: ‘But those whom the Qur’an has imprisoned in Hell,’ refers to the Statement of Allah: “They will dwell therein forever.” (16.29)

حَدَّثَنَا مُسْلِمُ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ، حَدَّثَنَا هِشَامٌ، حَدَّثَنَا قَتَادَةُ، عَنْ أَنَسٍ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم‏.‏ وَقَالَ لِي خَلِيفَةُ حَدَّثَنَا يَزِيدُ بْنُ زُرَيْعٍ حَدَّثَنَا سَعِيدٌ عَنْ قَتَادَةَ عَنْ أَنَسٍ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ ‏”‏ يَجْتَمِعُ الْمُؤْمِنُونَ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ فَيَقُولُونَ لَوِ اسْتَشْفَعْنَا إِلَى رَبِّنَا فَيَأْتُونَ آدَمَ فَيَقُولُونَ أَنْتَ أَبُو النَّاسِ، خَلَقَكَ اللَّهُ بِيَدِهِ وَأَسْجَدَ لَكَ مَلاَئِكَتَهُ، وَعَلَّمَكَ أَسْمَاءَ كُلِّ شَىْءٍ، فَاشْفَعْ لَنَا عِنْدَ رَبِّكَ حَتَّى يُرِيحَنَا مِنْ مَكَانِنَا هَذَا‏.‏ فَيَقُولُ لَسْتُ هُنَاكُمْ ـ وَيَذْكُرُ ذَنْبَهُ فَيَسْتَحِي ـ ائْتُوا نُوحًا فَإِنَّهُ أَوَّلُ رَسُولٍ بَعَثَهُ اللَّهُ إِلَى أَهْلِ الأَرْضِ‏.‏ فَيَأْتُونَهُ فَيَقُولُ لَسْتُ هُنَاكُمْ‏.‏ وَيَذْكُرُ سُؤَالَهُ رَبَّهُ مَا لَيْسَ لَهُ بِهِ عِلْمٌ فَيَسْتَحِي، فَيَقُولُ ائْتُوا خَلِيلَ الرَّحْمَنِ‏.‏ فَيَأْتُونَهُ فَيَقُولُ لَسْتُ هُنَاكُمْ، ائْتُوا مُوسَى عَبْدًا كَلَّمَهُ اللَّهُ وَأَعْطَاهُ التَّوْرَاةَ‏.‏ فَيَأْتُونَهُ فَيَقُولُ لَسْتُ هُنَاكُمْ‏.‏ وَيَذْكُرُ قَتْلَ النَّفْسِ بِغَيْرِ نَفْسٍ فَيَسْتَحِي مِنْ رَبِّهِ فَيَقُولُ ائْتُوا عِيسَى عَبْدَ اللَّهِ وَرَسُولَهُ، وَكَلِمَةَ اللَّهِ وَرُوحَهُ‏.‏ فَيَقُولُ لَسْتُ هُنَاكُمْ، ائْتُوا مُحَمَّدًا صلى الله عليه وسلم عَبْدًا غَفَرَ اللَّهُ لَهُ مَا تَقَدَّمَ مِنْ ذَنْبِهِ وَمَا تَأَخَّرَ‏.‏ فَيَأْتُونِي فَأَنْطَلِقُ حَتَّى أَسْتَأْذِنَ عَلَى رَبِّي فَيُؤْذَنُ ‏{‏لِي‏}‏ فَإِذَا رَأَيْتُ رَبِّي وَقَعْتُ سَاجِدًا، فَيَدَعُنِي مَا شَاءَ اللَّهُ ثُمَّ يُقَالُ ارْفَعْ رَأْسَكَ، وَسَلْ تُعْطَهْ، وَقُلْ يُسْمَعْ، وَاشْفَعْ تُشَفَّعْ‏.‏ فَأَرْفَعُ رَأْسِي فَأَحْمَدُهُ بِتَحْمِيدٍ يُعَلِّمُنِيهِ، ثُمَّ أَشْفَعُ، فَيَحُدُّ لِي حَدًّا، فَأُدْخِلُهُمُ الْجَنَّةَ، ثُمَّ أَعُودُ إِلَيْهِ، فَإِذَا رَأَيْتُ رَبِّي ـ مِثْلَهُ ـ ثُمَّ أَشْفَعُ، فَيَحُدُّ لِي حَدًّا، فَأُدْخِلُهُمُ الْجَنَّةَ ‏{‏ثُمَّ أَعُودُ الثَّالِثَةَ‏}‏ ثُمَّ أَعُودُ الرَّابِعَةَ فَأَقُولُ مَا بَقِيَ فِي النَّارِ إِلاَّ مَنْ حَبَسَهُ الْقُرْآنُ وَوَجَبَ عَلَيْهِ الْخُلُودُ ‏”‏‏.‏ قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ‏”‏ إِلاَّ مَنْ حَبَسَهُ الْقُرْآنُ ‏”‏‏.‏ يَعْنِي قَوْلَ اللَّهِ تَعَالَى ‏{‏خَالِدِينَ فِيهَا‏}‏‏.‏

Sahih al-Bukhari 4476
https://sunnah.com/bukhari:4476

The Hadith claims that this intercession is for the believers who committed major sins and will take people out of the Hellfire.

Narrated Anas ibn Malik: The Prophet (ﷺ) said: My intercession will be for those of my people who have committed major sins.

حَدَّثَنَا سُلَيْمَانُ بْنُ حَرْبٍ، حَدَّثَنَا بِسْطَامُ بْنُ حُرَيْثٍ، عَنْ أَشْعَثَ الْحُدَّانِيِّ، عَنْ أَنَسِ بْنِ مَالِكٍ، عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ ‏: ‏ ‏ “‏ شَفَاعَتِي لأَهْلِ الْكَبَائِرِ مِنْ أُمَّتِي ‏”‏ ‏.‏

Sunan Abi Dawud 4739
https://sunnah.com/abudawud:4739

Other Hadith explains that this means that these people were destined for Hell, but because of the prophet’s intercession, their destiny is altered to be redeemed into Paradise.

Narrated `Imran bin Husain: The Prophet (ﷺ) said, “Some people will be taken out of the Fire through the intercession of Muhammad they will enter Paradise and will be called Al-Jahannamiyin (the Hell Fire people).

حَدَّثَنَا مُسَدَّدٌ، حَدَّثَنَا يَحْيَى، عَنِ الْحَسَنِ بْنِ ذَكْوَانَ، حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو رَجَاءٍ، حَدَّثَنَا عِمْرَانُ بْنُ حُصَيْن ٍ ـ رضى الله عنهما ـ عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ ‏ “‏ يَخْرُجُ قَوْمٌ مِنَ النَّارِ بِشَفَاعَةِ مُحَمَّدٍ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَيَدْخُلُونَ الْجَنَّةَ، يُسَمَّوْنَ الْجَهَنَّمِيِّينَ ‏”‏‏.‏

Sahih al-Bukhari 6566
https://sunnah.com/bukhari:6566

The Hadith also discusses the intercession by believers, where righteous Muslims, including prophets, martyrs, and the pious, may intercede on behalf of other believers, asking for their sins to be forgiven or for their status to be elevated in Paradise.

‘A’isha reported Allah’s Apostle (ﷺ) saying: If a company of Muslims numbering one hundred pray over a dead person, all of them interceding for him, their intercession for him will be accepted.

حَدَّثَنَا الْحَسَنُ بْنُ عِيسَى، حَدَّثَنَا ابْنُ الْمُبَارَكِ، أَخْبَرَنَا سَلاَّمُ بْنُ أَبِي مُطِيعٍ، عَنْ أَيُّوبَ، عَنْ أَبِي قِلاَبَةَ، عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ يَزِيدَ، – رَضِيعِ عَائِشَةَ – عَنْ عَائِشَةَ، عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ ‏ “‏ مَا مِنْ مَيِّتٍ يُصَلِّي عَلَيْهِ أُمَّةٌ مِنَ الْمُسْلِمِينَ يَبْلُغُونَ مِائَةً كُلُّهُمْ يَشْفَعُونَ لَهُ إِلاَّ شُفِّعُوا فِيهِ ‏”‏ ‏.‏ قَالَ فَحَدَّثْتُ بِهِ شُعَيْبَ بْنَ الْحَبْحَابِ فَقَالَ حَدَّثَنِي بِهِ أَنَسُ بْنُ مَالِكٍ عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏.‏

Sahih Muslim 947
https://sunnah.com/muslim:947

‘Abdullah b. ‘Abbas reported that his son died in Qudaid or ‘Usfan. He said to Kuraib to see as to how many people had gathered there for his (funeral). He (Kuraib) said: So I went out and I informed him about the people who had gathered there. He (Ibn ‘Abbas) said: Do you think they are forty? He (Kuraib) said: Yes. Ibn ‘Abbas then said to them: Bring him (the dead body) out for I have heard Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) as saying: If any Muslim dies and forty men who associate nothing with Allah stand over his prayer (they offer prayer over him), Allah will accept them as intercessors for him.

حَدَّثَنَا هَارُونُ بْنُ مَعْرُوفٍ، وَهَارُونُ بْنُ سَعِيدٍ الأَيْلِيُّ، وَالْوَلِيدُ بْنُ شُجَاعٍ السَّكُونِيُّ، قَالَ الْوَلِيدُ حَدَّثَنِي وَقَالَ الآخَرَانِ، حَدَّثَنَا ابْنُ وَهْبٍ، أَخْبَرَنِي أَبُو صَخْرٍ، عَنْ شَرِيكِ بْنِ عَبْدِ، اللَّهِ بْنِ أَبِي نَمِرٍ عَنْ كُرَيْبٍ، مَوْلَى ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ عَبَّاسٍ، أَنَّهُ مَاتَ ابْنٌ لَهُ بِقُدَيْدٍ أَوْ بِعُسْفَانَ فَقَالَ يَا كُرَيْبُ انْظُرْ مَا اجْتَمَعَ لَهُ مِنَ النَّاسِ ‏.‏ قَالَ فَخَرَجْتُ فَإِذَا نَاسٌ قَدِ اجْتَمَعُوا لَهُ فَأَخْبَرْتُهُ فَقَالَ تَقُولُ هُمْ أَرْبَعُونَ قَالَ نَعَمْ ‏.‏ قَالَ أَخْرِجُوهُ فَإِنِّي سَمِعْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَقُولُ ‏ “‏ مَا مِنْ رَجُلٍ مُسْلِمٍ يَمُوتُ فَيَقُومُ عَلَى جَنَازَتِهِ أَرْبَعُونَ رَجُلاً لاَ يُشْرِكُونَ بِاللَّهِ شَيْئًا إِلاَّ شَفَّعَهُمُ اللَّهُ فِيهِ ‏”‏ ‏.‏ وَفِي رِوَايَةِ ابْنِ مَعْرُوفٍ عَنْ شَرِيكِ بْنِ أَبِي نَمِرٍ عَنْ كُرَيْبٍ عَنِ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ ‏.‏

Sahih Muslim 948
https://sunnah.com/muslim:948

Intercession & Quran

Not surprisingly, these ideas propagated in the Hadith are not found in the Quran and also contradict some of the verses of the Quran. Yet, the Quran describes intercession in two ways. One set of verses states that intercession is not accepted, while other verses indicate that intercession can be accepted under some stipulations. As the Quran has no contradictions, can we find an understanding that can reconcile these two notions?

[4:82] Why do they not study the Quran carefully? If it were from other than GOD, they would have found in it numerous contradictions.

 أَفَلَا يَتَدَبَّرُونَ ٱلْقُرْءَانَ وَلَوْ كَانَ مِنْ عِندِ غَيْرِ ٱللَّهِ لَوَجَدُوا۟ فِيهِ ٱخْتِلَـٰفًا كَثِيرًا

No Intercession Verses

Below are the verses that clearly state that there are no other intercessors besides God.

[2:48] Beware of the day when no soul can avail another soul, no intercession will be accepted, no ransom can be paid, nor can anyone be helped.

 وَٱتَّقُوا۟ يَوْمًا لَّا تَجْزِى نَفْسٌ عَن نَّفْسٍ شَيْـًٔا وَلَا يُقْبَلُ مِنْهَا شَفَـٰعَةٌ وَلَا يُؤْخَذُ مِنْهَا عَدْلٌ وَلَا هُمْ يُنصَرُونَ

[2:123] Beware of the day when no soul will help another soul, no ransom will be accepted, no intercession will be useful, and no one will be helped.

 وَٱتَّقُوا۟ يَوْمًا لَّا تَجْزِى نَفْسٌ عَن نَّفْسٍ شَيْـًٔا وَلَا يُقْبَلُ مِنْهَا عَدْلٌ وَلَا تَنفَعُهَا شَفَـٰعَةٌ وَلَا هُمْ يُنصَرُونَ

[2:254] O you who believe, you shall give to charity from the provisions we have given to you, before a day comes where there is no trade, no nepotism, and no intercession. The disbelievers are the unjust.

 يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓا۟ أَنفِقُوا۟ مِمَّا رَزَقْنَـٰكُم مِّن قَبْلِ أَن يَأْتِىَ يَوْمٌ لَّا بَيْعٌ فِيهِ وَلَا خُلَّةٌ وَلَا شَفَـٰعَةٌ وَٱلْكَـٰفِرُونَ هُمُ ٱلظَّـٰلِمُونَ

[6:51] And preach with this (Quran) to those who reverence the summoning before their Lord—they have none beside Him as a Lord and Master, nor an intercessor—that they may attain salvation.

 وَأَنذِرْ بِهِ ٱلَّذِينَ يَخَافُونَ أَن يُحْشَرُوٓا۟ إِلَىٰ رَبِّهِمْ لَيْسَ لَهُم مِّن دُونِهِۦ وَلِىٌّ وَلَا شَفِيعٌ لَّعَلَّهُمْ يَتَّقُونَ

[6:70] You shall disregard those who take their religion in vain, as if it is a social function, and are totally absorbed in this worldly life. Remind with this (Quran), lest a soul may suffer the consequences of its evil earnings. It has none beside GOD as a Lord and Master, nor an intercessor. If it could offer any kind of ransom, it would not be accepted. They suffer the consequences of the evil works they earn; they have incurred hellish drinks, and a painful retribution because of their disbelief.

 وَذَرِ ٱلَّذِينَ ٱتَّخَذُوا۟ دِينَهُمْ لَعِبًا وَلَهْوًا وَغَرَّتْهُمُ ٱلْحَيَوٰةُ ٱلدُّنْيَا وَذَكِّرْ بِهِۦٓ أَن تُبْسَلَ نَفْسٌۢ بِمَا كَسَبَتْ لَيْسَ لَهَا مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ وَلِىٌّ وَلَا

شَفِيعٌ وَإِن تَعْدِلْ كُلَّ عَدْلٍ لَّا يُؤْخَذْ مِنْهَآ أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ ٱلَّذِينَ أُبْسِلُوا۟ بِمَا كَسَبُوا۟ لَهُمْ شَرَابٌ مِّنْ حَمِيمٍ وَعَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌۢ بِمَا كَانُوا۟ يَكْفُرُونَ

[6:94] “You have come back to us as individuals, just as we created you the first time, and you have left behind what we provided for you. We do not see with you the intercessors that you idolized and claimed that they will help you. All ties among you have been severed; the idols you set up have abandoned you.”

 وَلَقَدْ جِئْتُمُونَا فُرَٰدَىٰ كَمَا خَلَقْنَـٰكُمْ أَوَّلَ مَرَّةٍ وَتَرَكْتُم مَّا خَوَّلْنَـٰكُمْ وَرَآءَ ظُهُورِكُمْ وَمَا نَرَىٰ مَعَكُمْ شُفَعَآءَكُمُ ٱلَّذِينَ زَعَمْتُمْ أَنَّهُمْ فِيكُمْ شُرَكَـٰٓؤُا۟ لَقَد تَّقَطَّعَ بَيْنَكُمْ وَضَلَّ عَنكُم مَّا كُنتُمْ تَزْعُمُونَ

[7:53] Are they waiting until all (prophecies) are fulfilled? The day such fulfillment comes to pass, those who disregarded it in the past will say, “The messengers of our Lord have brought the truth. Are there any intercessors to intercede on our behalf? Would you send us back, so that we change our behavior, and do better works than what we did?” They have lost their souls, and their own innovations have caused their doom.

 هَلْ يَنظُرُونَ إِلَّا تَأْوِيلَهُۥ يَوْمَ يَأْتِى تَأْوِيلُهُۥ يَقُولُ ٱلَّذِينَ نَسُوهُ مِن قَبْلُ قَدْ جَآءَتْ رُسُلُ رَبِّنَا بِٱلْحَقِّ فَهَل لَّنَا مِن شُفَعَآءَ فَيَشْفَعُوا۟ لَنَآ أَوْ نُرَدُّ فَنَعْمَلَ غَيْرَ ٱلَّذِى كُنَّا نَعْمَلُ قَدْ خَسِرُوٓا۟ أَنفُسَهُمْ وَضَلَّ عَنْهُم مَّا كَانُوا۟ يَفْتَرُونَ

[10:18] They worship beside GOD idols that possess no power to harm them or benefit them, and they say, “These are our intercessors at GOD!” Say, “Are you informing GOD of something He does not know in the heavens or the earth?” Be He glorified. He is the Most High; far above needing partners.

 وَيَعْبُدُونَ مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ مَا لَا يَضُرُّهُمْ وَلَا يَنفَعُهُمْ وَيَقُولُونَ هَـٰٓؤُلَآءِ شُفَعَـٰٓؤُنَا عِندَ ٱللَّهِ قُلْ أَتُنَبِّـُٔونَ ٱللَّهَ بِمَا لَا يَعْلَمُ فِى ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَلَا فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ سُبْحَـٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَـٰلَىٰ عَمَّا يُشْرِكُونَ

[26:92] They will be asked, “Where are the idols you had worshiped
[26:93] “beside GOD? Can they help you now? Can they help themselves?”
[26:94] They will be thrown therein, together with the strayers.
[26:95] And all of Satan’s soldiers.
[26:96] They will say as they feud therein,
[26:97] “By GOD, we were far astray.
[26:98] “How could we set you up to rank with the Lord of the universe?
[26:99] “Those who misled us were wicked.
[26:100] “Now we have no intercessors.

(١٠٠) فَمَا لَنَا مِن شَـٰفِعِينَ

[30:13] Their idols will have no power to intercede on their behalf; on the contrary, they will disown their idols.

 وَلَمْ يَكُن لَّهُم مِّن شُرَكَآئِهِمْ شُفَعَـٰٓؤُا۟ وَكَانُوا۟ بِشُرَكَآئِهِمْ كَـٰفِرِينَ

[32:4] GOD is the One who created the heavens and the earth, and everything between them in six days, then assumed all authority. You have none beside Him as Lord, nor do you have an intercessor. Would you not take heed?

 ٱللَّهُ ٱلَّذِى خَلَقَ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضَ وَمَا بَيْنَهُمَا فِى سِتَّةِ أَيَّامٍ ثُمَّ ٱسْتَوَىٰ عَلَى ٱلْعَرْشِ مَا لَكُم مِّن دُونِهِۦ مِن وَلِىٍّ وَلَا شَفِيعٍ أَفَلَا تَتَذَكَّرُونَ

[36:23] “Shall I set up beside Him gods? If the Most Gracious willed any harm for me, their intercession cannot help me one bit, nor can they rescue me.

ءَأَتَّخِذُ مِن دُونِهِۦٓ ءَالِهَةً إِن يُرِدْنِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنُ بِضُرٍّ لَّا تُغْنِ عَنِّى شَفَـٰعَتُهُمْ شَيْـًٔا وَلَا يُنقِذُونِ

[39:43] Have they invented intercessors to mediate between them and GOD? Say, “What if they do not possess any power, nor understanding?”

 أَمِ ٱتَّخَذُوا۟ مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ شُفَعَآءَ قُلْ أَوَلَوْ كَانُوا۟ لَا يَمْلِكُونَ شَيْـًٔا وَلَا يَعْقِلُونَ

[39:44] Say, “All intercession belongs to GOD.” To Him belongs all sovereignty of the heavens and the earth, then to Him you will be returned.

 قُل لِّلَّهِ ٱلشَّفَـٰعَةُ جَمِيعًا لَّهُۥ مُلْكُ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ ثُمَّ إِلَيْهِ تُرْجَعُونَ

[40:18] Warn them about the imminent day, when the hearts will be terrified, and many will be remorseful. The transgressors will have no friend nor an intercessor to be obeyed.

 وَأَنذِرْهُمْ يَوْمَ ٱلْـَٔازِفَةِ إِذِ ٱلْقُلُوبُ لَدَى ٱلْحَنَاجِرِ كَـٰظِمِينَ مَا لِلظَّـٰلِمِينَ مِنْ حَمِيمٍ وَلَا شَفِيعٍ يُطَاعُ

[74:48] The intercession of the intercessors will never help them.

 فَمَا تَنفَعُهُمْ شَفَـٰعَةُ ٱلشَّـٰفِعِينَ

Conditional Intercession verses

[2:255] GOD: there is no other god besides Him, the Living, the Eternal. Never a moment of unawareness or slumber overtakes Him. To Him belongs everything in the heavens and everything on earth. Who could intercede with Him, except in accordance with His will? He knows their past, and their future. No one attains any knowledge, except as He wills. His dominion encompasses the heavens and the earth, and ruling them never burdens Him. He is the Most High, the Great.

 ٱللَّهُ لَآ إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ ٱلْحَىُّ ٱلْقَيُّومُ لَا تَأْخُذُهُۥ سِنَةٌ وَلَا نَوْمٌ لَّهُۥ مَا فِى ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَمَا فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ مَن ذَا ٱلَّذِى يَشْفَعُ عِندَهُۥٓ إِلَّا بِإِذْنِهِۦ يَعْلَمُ مَا بَيْنَ أَيْدِيهِمْ وَمَا خَلْفَهُمْ وَلَا يُحِيطُونَ بِشَىْءٍ مِّنْ عِلْمِهِۦٓ إِلَّا بِمَا شَآءَ وَسِعَ كُرْسِيُّهُ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضَ وَلَا يَـُٔودُهُۥ حِفْظُهُمَا وَهُوَ ٱلْعَلِىُّ ٱلْعَظِيمُ

20	man	مَن	Who (is)
21	dhā	ذَا	[of]
22	alladhī	ٱلَّذِى	the one who
23	yashfaʿu	يَشْفَعُ	[he] (can) intercede
24	ʿindahu	عِندَهُۥٓ	with Him
25	illā	إِلَّا	except
26	bi-idh’nihi	بِإِذْنِهِۦ	by His permission.

[10:3] Your only Lord is GOD; the One who created the heavens and the earth in six days, then assumed all authority. He controls all matters. There is no intercessor, except in accordance with His will. Such is GOD your Lord. You shall worship Him. Would you not take heed?

 إِنَّ رَبَّكُمُ ٱللَّهُ ٱلَّذِى خَلَقَ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضَ فِى سِتَّةِ أَيَّامٍ ثُمَّ ٱسْتَوَىٰ عَلَى ٱلْعَرْشِ يُدَبِّرُ ٱلْأَمْرَ مَا مِن شَفِيعٍ إِلَّا مِنۢ بَعْدِ إِذْنِهِۦ ذَٰلِكُمُ ٱللَّهُ رَبُّكُمْ فَٱعْبُدُوهُ أَفَلَا تَذَكَّرُونَ

17	mā	مَا	Not
18	min	مِن	from
19	shafīʿin	شَفِيعٍ	an intercessor
20	illā	إِلَّا	except
21	min	مِنۢ	by
22	baʿdi	بَعْدِ	after
23	idh’nihi	إِذْنِهِۦ	His permission.

[19:87] No one will possess the power to intercede, except those who conform to the laws of the Most Gracious.

 لَّا يَمْلِكُونَ ٱلشَّفَـٰعَةَ إِلَّا مَنِ ٱتَّخَذَ عِندَ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ عَهْدًا

1	lā	لَّا	Not
2	yamlikūna	يَمْلِكُونَ	they possess power (of)
3	l-shafāʿata	ٱلشَّفَـٰعَةَ	the intercession
4	illā	إِلَّا	except
5	mani	مَنِ	(he) who
6	ittakhadha	ٱتَّخَذَ	he took
7	ʿinda	عِندَ	from
8	l-raḥmāni	ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ	(the) Most Gracious
9	ʿahdan	عَهْدًا	a covenant.

[20:109] On that day, intercession will be useless, except for those permitted by the Most Gracious, and whose utterances conform to His will.

 يَوْمَئِذٍ لَّا تَنفَعُ ٱلشَّفَـٰعَةُ إِلَّا مَنْ أَذِنَ لَهُ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنُ وَرَضِىَ لَهُۥ قَوْلًا

1	yawma-idhin	يَوْمَئِذٍ	(On) that Day
2	lā	لَّا	not
3	tanfaʿu	تَنفَعُ	it will benefit
4	l-shafāʿatu	ٱلشَّفَـٰعَةُ	the intercession
5	illā	إِلَّا	except
6	man	مَنْ	(to) whom
7	adhina	أَذِنَ	He allowed / permitted
8	lahu	لَهُ	to him
9	l-raḥmānu	ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنُ	(the) Most Gracious,
10	waraḍiya	وَرَضِىَ	and He accepted
11	lahu	لَهُۥ	for him
12	qawlan	قَوْلًا	words.

[21:28] He knows their future and their past. They do not intercede, except for those already accepted by Him, and they are worried about their own necks.

 يَعْلَمُ مَا بَيْنَ أَيْدِيهِمْ وَمَا خَلْفَهُمْ وَلَا يَشْفَعُونَ إِلَّا لِمَنِ ٱرْتَضَىٰ وَهُم مِّنْ خَشْيَتِهِۦ مُشْفِقُونَ

1	yaʿlamu	يَعْلَمُ	He knows
2	mā	مَا	what
3	bayna	بَيْنَ	between / before*
4	aydīhim	أَيْدِيهِمْ	their hands (*before them)
5	wamā	وَمَا	and what (is)
6	khalfahum	خَلْفَهُمْ	after them.
7	walā	وَلَا	And not
8	yashfaʿūna	يَشْفَعُونَ	they (can) intercede
9	illā	إِلَّا	except
10	limani	لِمَنِ	for whom
11	ir’taḍā	ٱرْتَضَىٰ	He approved.
12	wahum	وَهُم	And they (are)
13	min	مِّنْ	from
14	khashyatihi	خَشْيَتِهِۦ	its fear of it
15	mush’fiqūna	مُشْفِقُونَ	anxious / concerned [ones].

[34:23] Intercession with Him will be in vain, unless it coincides with His will. When their minds are finally settled down, and they ask, “What did your Lord say,” they will say, “The truth.” He is the Most High, the Most Great.

 وَلَا تَنفَعُ ٱلشَّفَـٰعَةُ عِندَهُۥٓ إِلَّا لِمَنْ أَذِنَ لَهُۥ حَتَّىٰٓ إِذَا فُزِّعَ عَن قُلُوبِهِمْ قَالُوا۟ مَاذَا قَالَ رَبُّكُمْ قَالُوا۟ ٱلْحَقَّ وَهُوَ ٱلْعَلِىُّ ٱلْكَبِيرُ

1	walā	وَلَا	And not
2	tanfaʿu	تَنفَعُ	[it] benefits
3	l-shafāʿatu	ٱلشَّفَـٰعَةُ	the intercession
4	ʿindahu	عِندَهُۥٓ	with Him
5	illā	إِلَّا	except
6	liman	لِمَنْ	for whom
7	adhina	أَذِنَ	He permitted
8	lahu	لَهُۥ	for him.
9	ḥattā	حَتَّىٰٓ	Until
10	idhā	إِذَا	when [in the future]
11	fuzziʿa	فُزِّعَ	fear was removed / [it] was relieved from awe
12	ʿan	عَن	from
13	qulūbihim	قُلُوبِهِمْ	their hearts / minds,
14	qālū	قَالُوا۟	They said,
15	mādhā	مَاذَا	“What then (is it)
16	qāla	قَالَ	[He] said
17	rabbukum	رَبُّكُمْ	your Lord?”
18	qālū	قَالُوا۟	They said,
19	l-ḥaqa	ٱلْحَقَّ	“The truth.”
20	wahuwa	وَهُوَ	And He (is)
21	l-ʿaliyu	ٱلْعَلِىُّ	Most High,
22	l-kabīru	ٱلْكَبِيرُ	Most Great.

[43:86] None of those whom they idolize beside Him possess any power to intercede, except who bears witness to the truth, and they fully know.

 وَلَا يَمْلِكُ ٱلَّذِينَ يَدْعُونَ مِن دُونِهِ ٱلشَّفَـٰعَةَ إِلَّا مَن شَهِدَ بِٱلْحَقِّ وَهُمْ يَعْلَمُونَ

1	walā	وَلَا	And not
2	yamliku	يَمْلِكُ	[it] have power
3	alladhīna	ٱلَّذِينَ	those whom
4	yadʿūna	يَدْعُونَ	they invoke / implore
5	min	مِن	from
6	dūnihi	دُونِهِ	besides Him (for)
7	l-shafāʿata	ٱلشَّفَـٰعَةَ	the intercession;
8	illā	إِلَّا	except
9	man	مَن	who
10	shahida	شَهِدَ	he testified
11	bil-ḥaqi	بِٱلْحَقِّ	to the truth,
12	wahum	وَهُمْ	and they
13	yaʿlamūna	يَعْلَمُونَ	[they] know.

[53:26] Not even the angels in heaven possess authority to intercede. The only ones permitted by GOD are those who act in accordance with His will and His approval.

 وَكَم مِّن مَّلَكٍ فِى ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ لَا تُغْنِى شَفَـٰعَتُهُمْ شَيْـًٔا إِلَّا مِنۢ بَعْدِ أَن يَأْذَنَ ٱللَّهُ لِمَن يَشَآءُ وَيَرْضَىٰٓ

1	wakam	وَكَم	And how many
2	min	مِّن	of
3	malakin	مَّلَكٍ	(the) angel(s)
4	fī	فِى	in
5	l-samāwāti	ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ	the heavens
6	lā	لَا	not
7	tugh’nī	تُغْنِى	[it] will avail / help
8	shafāʿatuhum	شَفَـٰعَتُهُمْ	their intercession
9	shayan	شَيْـًٔا	anything
10	illā	إِلَّا	except
11	min	مِنۢ	from
12	baʿdi	بَعْدِ	after
13	an	أَن	that
14	yadhana	يَأْذَنَ	[He] gives permission
15	l-lahu	ٱللَّهُ	God
16	liman	لِمَن	for whom
17	yashāu	يَشَآءُ	He wills
18	wayarḍā	وَيَرْضَىٰٓ	and He approves.

conclusion

From these verses, we see that while all intercession belongs to God, He permits intercession from certain individuals He approves their decision. This means that if someone’s will corresponds with God’s decision, their intercession will be accepted, but it will not change the outcome that God is determined only by God.

[82:19] That is the day when no soul can help another soul, and all decisions, on that day, will belong to GOD.

 يَوْمَ لَا تَمْلِكُ نَفْسٌ لِّنَفْسٍ شَيْـًٔا وَٱلْأَمْرُ يَوْمَئِذٍ لِّلَّهِ

Since the Quran is the most accurate book, it acknowledges that individuals in Paradise will want to intercede on behalf of their loved ones: “Please, God, admit my mother into Paradise.” This intercession will work if the person’s mother deserves to go to Paradise (2:255, 20:109, 21:28). Thus, intercession, though it will take place in this manner, is utterly useless.

[20:109] On that day, intercession will be useless, except for those permitted by the Most Gracious, and whose utterances conform to His will.

 يَوْمَئِذٍ لَّا تَنفَعُ ٱلشَّفَـٰعَةُ إِلَّا مَنْ أَذِنَ لَهُ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنُ وَرَضِىَ لَهُۥ قَوْلًا

To believe that anyone other than God can intercede on our behalf to have our sins forgiven or our wishes fulfilled is to set up partners with God. This is idolatry. This is to infer that there is another entity beside God who is more just or merciful than God. Such that God has determined for someone to go to Hell, but another entity is going to override that decision.

[78:37] Lord of the heavens and the earth, and everything between them. The Most Gracious. No one can abrogate His decisions.

 رَّبِّ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ وَمَا بَيْنَهُمَا ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ لَا يَمْلِكُونَ مِنْهُ خِطَابًا

1	rabbi	رَّبِّ	Lord (of)
2	l-samāwāti	ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ	the heavens
3	wal-arḍi	وَٱلْأَرْضِ	and the earth
4	wamā	وَمَا	and whatever (is)
5	baynahumā	بَيْنَهُمَا	between both of them.
6	l-raḥmāni	ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ	(The) Most Gracious,
7	lā	لَا	not
8	yamlikūna	يَمْلِكُونَ	they possess power
9	min’hu	مِنْهُ	from Him
10	khiṭāban	خِطَابًا	(to) address / object / aruge.

The myth of intercession is one of Satan’s most effective tricks to dupe millions of people into idol worship by making them think that some other entity beside God can benefit them.

[5:76] Say, “Would you worship beside GOD powerless idols who can neither harm you, nor benefit you? GOD is Hearer, Omniscient.”

 قُلْ أَتَعْبُدُونَ مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ مَا لَا يَمْلِكُ لَكُمْ ضَرًّا وَلَا نَفْعًا وَٱللَّهُ هُوَ ٱلسَّمِيعُ ٱلْعَلِيمُ

Millions of Christians believe that Jesus will intercede for them at God, and millions of Muslims believe that Muhammad will intercede on their behalf. Consequently, these people idolized Jesus and Muhammad, yet these individuals themselves were worried about their own necks and prayed that God admit them to Paradise.

[17:57] Even the idols that they implore are seeking the ways and means towards their Lord. They pray for His mercy, and fear His retribution. Surely, the retribution of your Lord is dreadful.

 أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ ٱلَّذِينَ يَدْعُونَ يَبْتَغُونَ إِلَىٰ رَبِّهِمُ ٱلْوَسِيلَةَ أَيُّهُمْ أَقْرَبُ وَيَرْجُونَ رَحْمَتَهُۥ وَيَخَافُونَ عَذَابَهُۥٓ إِنَّ عَذَابَ رَبِّكَ كَانَ مَحْذُورًا

[26:81] “The One who puts me to death, then brings me back to life.
[26:82] “The One who hopefully will forgive my sins on the Day of Judgment.

 وَٱلَّذِى يُمِيتُنِى ثُمَّ يُحْيِينِ
 وَٱلَّذِىٓ أَطْمَعُ أَن يَغْفِرَ لِى خَطِيٓـَٔتِى يَوْمَ ٱلدِّينِ

Those who believe in Muhammad’s intercession, for example, claim that he will ask God to forgive them and admit them into Paradise. They imagine Muhammad on the Day of Judgment choosing the candidates for his intercession. If you ask those who believe in intercession: “How will Muhammad recognize those who deserve his intercession?” they tell you, “God will tell him!” According to this concept, a person will go to Muhammad and request his intercession. Muhammad will then ask God whether this person deserves his intercession or not. God will inform Muhammad that the person deserves to go to Paradise. Muhammad will then turn around and tell God that the person deserves to go to Paradise! The blasphemy is obvious; those who believe in intercession make God a secretary of their idol Muhammad. God be glorified. The prophet himself is commanded to declare that he has no power to benefit even himself.

[7:188] Say, “I have no power to benefit myself, or harm myself. Only what GOD wills happens to me. If I knew the future, I would have increased my wealth, and no harm would have afflicted me. I am no more than a warner, and a bearer of good news for those who believe.”

 قُل لَّآ أَمْلِكُ لِنَفْسِى نَفْعًا وَلَا ضَرًّا إِلَّا مَا شَآءَ ٱللَّهُ وَلَوْ كُنتُ أَعْلَمُ ٱلْغَيْبَ لَٱسْتَكْثَرْتُ مِنَ ٱلْخَيْرِ وَمَا مَسَّنِىَ ٱلسُّوٓءُ إِنْ أَنَا۠ إِلَّا نَذِيرٌ وَبَشِيرٌ لِّقَوْمٍ يُؤْمِنُونَ

Additionally, We learn from the Quran that Abraham, God’s beloved servant, could not intercede on behalf of his father (9:114). Noah could not intercede on behalf of his son (11:46). Muhammad could not intercede on behalf of his uncle (111:1-3) or relatives. What makes anyone think that a prophet or a saint will intercede on behalf of a perfect stranger?!

[9:80] Whether you ask forgiveness for them, or do not ask forgiveness for them—even if you ask forgiveness for them seventy times—GOD will not forgive them. This is because they disbelieve in GOD and His messenger. GOD does not guide the wicked people.

 ٱسْتَغْفِرْ لَهُمْ أَوْ لَا تَسْتَغْفِرْ لَهُمْ إِن تَسْتَغْفِرْ لَهُمْ سَبْعِينَ مَرَّةً فَلَن يَغْفِرَ ٱللَّهُ لَهُمْ ذَٰلِكَ بِأَنَّهُمْ كَفَرُوا۟ بِٱللَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِۦ وَٱللَّهُ لَا يَهْدِى ٱلْقَوْمَ ٱلْفَـٰسِقِينَ

Lastly, we see the prophet’s intercession against his people on the Day of Resurrection.

[25:27] The day will come when the transgressor will bite his hands (in anguish) and say, “Alas, I wish I had followed the path with the messenger.
[25:28] “Alas, woe to me, I wish I did not take that person as a friend.
[25:29] “He has led me away from the message after it came to me. Indeed, the devil lets down his human victims.”
[25:30] The messenger said, “My Lord, my people have deserted this Quran.”

 وَيَوْمَ يَعَضُّ الظَّالِمُ عَلَىٰ يَدَيْهِ يَقُولُ يَالَيْتَنِي اتَّخَذْتُ مَعَ الرَّسُولِ سَبِيلًا
 يَاوَيْلَتَىٰ لَيْتَنِي لَمْ أَتَّخِذْ فُلَانًا خَلِيلًا
 لَقَدْ أَضَلَّنِي عَنِ الذِّكْرِ بَعْدَ إِذْ جَاءَنِي وَكَانَ الشَّيْطَانُ لِلْإِنْسَانِ خَذُولًا
 وَقَالَ الرَّسُولُ يَارَبِّ إِنَّ قَوْمِي اتَّخَذُوا هَٰذَا الْقُرْآنَ مَهْجُورًا