37/37. Chapter:
Sunan Ibn Majah 4311 — The Prophet Chose Intercession
Intercession
Prophet Chose Intercession Hadith: A Wider Hope for Sinners
Sunan Ibn Majah : 4311
Sunan Ibn MajahHadith Number 4311
حَدَّثَنَا إِسْمَاعِيلُ بْنُ أَسَدٍ، حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو بَدْرٍ، حَدَّثَنَا زِيَادُ بْنُ خَيْثَمَةَ، عَنْ نُعَيْمِ بْنِ أَبِي هِنْدٍ، عَنْ رِبْعِيِّ بْنِ حِرَاشٍ، عَنْ أَبِي مُوسَى الأَشْعَرِيِّ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ " خُيِّرْتُ بَيْنَ الشَّفَاعَةِ وَبَيْنَ أَنْ يَدْخُلَ نِصْفُ أُمَّتِي الْجَنَّةَ فَاخْتَرْتُ الشَّفَاعَةَ لأَنَّهَا أَعَمُّ وَأَكْفَى أَتُرَوْنَهَا لِلْمُتَّقِينَ لاَ وَلَكِنَّهَا لِلْمُذْنِبِينَ الْخَطَّائِينَ الْمُتَلَوِّثِينَ " .
Abu Musa Al-Ash'ari Narrated from:
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: “I was given the choice between being admitted to Paradise, and I chose intercession, because it is more general and more sufficient. Do you think it is for the pious? No, it is for the impure sinners.”
Reference : Sunan Ibn Majah 4311In-book reference : Book 37, Hadith 212English translation : Vol. 5, Book 37, Hadith 4311
Summary of Sunan Ibn Majah Hadith 4311
This Hadith says the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم was given a choice between intercession and half of his nation entering Paradise. He chose intercession because, as stated in the narration, it is more general and more sufficient. He then asks if people think it is for the pious, and answers that it is for the impure sinners. The key phrase for readers is Prophet chose intercession Hadith. The explanation should stay close to the words. It does not remove personal responsibility, and it does not praise sin. It shows that the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم chose what would reach sinners in need. The text gives hope to people who need Allah’s mercy and the Prophet’s intercession.
What we learn from this hadith
- The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم chose intercession over the other option mentioned in the Hadith.
- The narration says intercession is more general and more sufficient.
- The Hadith points to sinners as people in need of intercession.
