In an authentic ḥadīth it is related that Abū Hurayrah asked the Messenger of Allah, “O Messenger of Allah, who will be the happiest of people through your intercession on the Day of Resurrection?” He replied:

“O Abū Hurayrah, I was certain that no one would ask me about this tradition before you, because I have seen your eagerness for ḥadīth. The happiest of people with my intercession on the Day of Resurrection are those who say, ‘There is no god but Allah,’ with utter sincerity from their hearts.”

Thus the Prophet—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—made clear that the people most favored by his intercession in the Hereafter are those whose devotion to Allah is the purest and whose affirmation of His oneness is the most sincere.

For if anyone were to intercede with Him without His permission, reason would deem that intercessor a partner to Him. The intercessor (shafīʿ) is so called because he “pairs himself” with the petitioner, as the Almighty says:

“Whoever intercedes with a good intercession shall have a share in it, and whoever intercedes with an evil intercession shall bear a portion of it.” (Qur’an 4:85)

Anyone who helps another to attain something is an intercessor for him. Such an intercessor influences the one petitioned, stirs him, and alters his choice, thereby becoming a partner with him in the desired outcome. Allah, however, is exalted far above all of that.