As for the narration of ʿAbdullāh ibn Sarjis (d. —), he once said to the Prophet ﷺ, “Ask Allah to forgive me, O Messenger of Allah,” and the Prophet complied. This shows that the Messenger ﷺ is unlike other people, for one may request him to supplicate on one’s behalf. Such a request, however, was permitted only during his lifetime; after his death it is impermissible. Whoever asks the Messenger to seek forgiveness for him after the Prophet’s death is a polytheist and an unbeliever. During his life there was no objection, for Allah commanded His Prophet: “Seek forgiveness for your sin and for the believing men and believing women” (Q 47:19). Forgiveness (maghfirah) means that Allah conceals the servant’s sin from others, pardons him, and overlooks the offense; the term is derived from the idea of covering and protection.

1845 – Ibn Masʿūd (d. —) narrated that the Prophet ﷺ said, “The first matter to be decided between people on the Day of Resurrection will be cases of bloodshed.” Agreed upon.

[Commentary]
These reports are among the scattered ḥadiths that Imām al-Nawawī (d. — AH) placed at the end of Riyāḍ al-Ṣāliḥīn. One of them is the narration of ʿAbdullāh ibn Masʿūd that the Prophet ﷺ said, “The first matter to be decided between people on the Day of Resurrection is cases of bloodshed.” This is because, on that Day, Allah Most High will separate and judge between His servants. Concerning what is strictly between a person and Allah, His judgment will oscillate between pure justice and grace: either He will