37/13. Chapter:
Jami at-Tirmidhi 2441 — Intercession for Pure Tawhid
The Hadith about the Prophet SAW Choosing Between Half of His Ummah Being Admitted to Paradise or Intercession and that His Choice was the Latter
Hadith About Intercession and Pure Tawhid
Jami at-Tirmidhi : 2441
Jami at-TirmidhiHadith Number 2441
حَدَّثَنَا هَنَّادٌ، حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدَةُ، عَنْ سَعِيدٍ، عَنْ قَتَادَةَ، عَنْ أَبِي الْمَلِيحِ، عَنْ عَوْفِ بْنِ مَالِكٍ الأَشْجَعِيِّ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم " أَتَانِي آتٍ مِنْ عِنْدِ رَبِّي فَخَيَّرَنِي بَيْنَ أَنْ يُدْخِلَ نِصْفَ أُمَّتِي الْجَنَّةَ وَبَيْنَ الشَّفَاعَةِ فَاخْتَرْتُ الشَّفَاعَةَ وَهِيَ لِمَنْ مَاتَ لاَ يُشْرِكُ بِاللَّهِ شَيْئًا " . وَقَدْ رُوِيَ عَنْ أَبِي الْمَلِيحِ عَنْ رَجُلٍ آخَرَ مِنْ أَصْحَابِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم وَلَمْ يَذْكُرْ عَنْ عَوْفِ بْنِ مَالِكٍ وَفِي الْحَدِيثِ قِصَّةٌ طَوِيلَةٌ . حَدَّثَنَا قُتَيْبَةُ، حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو عَوَانَةَ، عَنْ قَتَادَةَ، عَنْ أَبِي الْمَلِيحِ، عَنْ عَوْفِ بْنِ مَالِكٍ، عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم نَحْوَهُ .
‘Awf bin Malik Al-Ashja’i Narrated from:
The Messenger Of Allah (S.A.W) Said 'Someone Came To Me From My Lord To Give Me Choice Between The Half Of My Ummah Being Admitted Into Paradise Or Intercession. So I Chose The Intercession, And It Is For Whoever Dies And He Did Not Associate Anything With Allah.' Another Chain Reports A Similar Narration.
Reference : Jami` at-Tirmidhi 2441In-book reference : Book 37, Hadith 27English translation : Vol. 4, Book 11, Hadith 2441
Summary of Jami at-Tirmidhi Hadith 2441
This hadith about intercession shows the deep mercy given to the Ummah of the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم. He was given a choice between half of his Ummah entering Paradise or receiving intercession. He chose intercession. The hadith then clearly states who this intercession is for: the one who dies without associating anything with Allah. The main lesson is tied to Tawhid, the worship of Allah alone. It reminds the believer that the greatest foundation of faith is to meet Allah free from shirk. The wording is direct, hopeful, and serious at the same time. It gives hope, but it also points to the weight of pure belief in Allah.
What we learn from this hadith
- The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم chose intercession for his Ummah.
- The hadith connects intercession with dying upon Tawhid.
- Avoiding shirk is shown as a key matter for salvation.
- Hope in Allah’s mercy should stay joined with pure worship.
