What is the Sirat bridge, and will the Prophet ﷺ intercede for us?

The short answer

The Sirat is a bridge laid over Hell on the Day of Judgment, which the believers (and the hypocrites among them) must cross. Believers will pass at different speeds according to their deeds, some like the blink of an eye, while others are caught by hooks. The Prophet ﷺ will intercede with Allah's permission, and the happiest with his intercession is whoever sincerely said "La ilaha illallah".

Explanation

The Prophet ﷺ described it: "a slippery (bridge) on which there are clamps and (hooks like) a thorny seed". "Some of the believers will cross the bridge as quickly as the wink of an eye, some others as quick as lightning, a strong wind, fast horses or she-camels", some safely, some with scratches, and some fall into the Fire; "the last person will cross by being dragged" 1. The hooks "will snatch the people according to their deeds", and the prayer of the messengers that Day will be "O Allah, save us, save us!" 2.

The Quran says: "there is none of you except he will come to it", and "then We will save those who feared Allah" 3. Many scholars explained this "coming to it" as passing over the Sirat 8. In the hadith, the bridge is laid after those who worshipped false gods have followed them into the Fire, and those who remain, including the hypocrites, then face it 1 2.

Intercession (shafa'ah) is asking Allah on someone else's behalf, and it only happens by His permission: "no intercession will benefit except [that of] one to whom the Most Merciful has given permission and has accepted his word" 4. The Prophet ﷺ said every prophet had one special dua that is answered, and he kept his for interceding for his ummah on the Day of Resurrection 5.

In the great hadith of intercession, people go from Adam to Ibrahim, Musa and Isa (AS), and finally to Muhammad ﷺ, who prostrates, praises Allah, and is told to intercede. He brings out of the Fire those with faith the weight of a barley grain, then of a mustard seed, and more 6. When asked who will be happiest with his intercession, he said: the one who said "None has the right to be worshipped but Allah" sincerely from the heart 7.

Speed on the Sirat depends on deeds, so what you do today builds the bridge you will cross tomorrow.

The evidence

  1. 1
    Hadith Sahih al-Bukhari 7439
    Sahih Bukhari

    The bridge over Hell is slippery with hooks; believers cross at speeds from a blink to crawling.

    Narrated Abu Sa'id Al-Khudri: We said, "O Allah's Messenger (ﷺ)! Shall we see our Lord on the Day of Resurrection?" He said, "Do you have any difficulty in seeing the sun and the moon when the sky is clear?" We said, "No." He said, "So you will have no difficulty in seeing your Lord on that Day as you have no difficulty in seeing the sun and the moon (in a clear sky)." The Prophet then said, "Somebody will then announce, 'Let every nation follow what they used to worship.' So the companions of the cross will go with their cross, and the idolators (will go) with their idols, and the companions of every god (false deities) (will go) with their god, till there remain those who used to worship Allah, both the obedient ones and the mischievous ones, and some of the people of the Scripture. Then Hell will be presented to them as if it were a mirage. Then it will be said to the Jews, "What did you use to worship?' They will reply, 'We used to worship Ezra, the son of Allah.' It will be said to them, 'You are liars, for Allah has neither a wife nor a son. What do you want (now)?' They will reply, 'We want You to provide us with water.' Then it will be said to them 'Drink,' and they will fall down in Hell (instead). Then it will be said to the Christians, 'What did you use to worship?' They will reply, 'We used to worship Messiah, the son of Allah.' It will be said, 'You are liars, for Allah has neither a wife nor a son. What: do you want (now)?' They will say, 'We want You to provide us with water.' It will be said to them, 'Drink,' and they will fall down in Hell (instead). When there remain only those who used to worship Allah (Alone), both the obedient ones and the mischievous ones, it will be said to them, 'What keeps you here when all the people have gone?' They will say, 'We parted with them (in the world) when we were in greater need of them than we are today, we heard the call of one proclaiming, 'Let every nation follow what they used to worship,' and now we are waiting for our Lord.' Then the Almighty will come to them in a shape other than the one which they saw the first time, and He will say, 'I am your Lord,' and they will say, 'You are not our Lord.' And none will speak: to Him then but the Prophets, and then it will be said to them, 'Do you know any sign by which you can recognize Him?' They will say. 'The Shin,' and so Allah will then uncover His Shin whereupon every believer will prostrate before Him and there will remain those who used to prostrate before Him just for showing off and for gaining good reputation. These people will try to prostrate but their backs will be rigid like one piece of a wood (and they will not be able to prostrate). Then the bridge will be laid across Hell." We, the companions of the Prophet (ﷺ) said, "O Allah's Messenger (ﷺ)! What is the bridge?' He said, "It is a slippery (bridge) on which there are clamps and (Hooks like) a thorny seed that is wide at one side and narrow at the other and has thorns with bent ends. Such a thorny seed is found in Najd and is called As-Sa'dan. Some of the believers will cross the bridge as quickly as the wink of an eye, some others as quick as lightning, a strong wind, fast horses or she-camels. So some will be safe without any harm; some will be safe after receiving some scratches, and some will fall down into Hell (Fire). The last person will cross by being dragged (over the bridge)." The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "You (Muslims) cannot be more pressing in claiming from me a right that has been clearly proved to be yours than the believers in interceding with Almighty for their (Muslim) brothers on that Day, when they see themselves safe. They will say, 'O Allah! (Save) our brothers (for they) used to pray with us, fast with us and also do good deeds with us.' Allah will say, 'Go and take out (of Hell) anyone in whose heart you find faith equal to the weight of one (gold) Dinar.' Allah will forbid the Fire to burn the faces of those sinners. They will go to them and find some of them in Hell (Fire) up to their feet, and some up to the middle of their legs. So they will take out those whom they will recognize and then they will return, and Allah will say (to them), 'Go and take out (of Hell) anyone in whose heart you find faith equal to the weight of one half Dinar.' They will take out whomever they will recognize and return, and then Allah will say, 'Go and take out (of Hell) anyone in whose heart you find faith equal to the weight of an atom (or a smallest ant), and so they will take out all those whom they will recognize." Abu Sa'id said: If you do not believe me then read the Holy Verse:-- 'Surely! Allah wrongs not even of the weight of an atom (or a smallest ant) but if there is any good (done) He doubles it.' (4.40) The Prophet added, "Then the prophets and Angels and the believers will intercede, and (last of all) the Almighty (Allah) will say, 'Now remains My Intercession. He will then hold a handful of the Fire from which He will take out some people whose bodies have been burnt, and they will be thrown into a river at the entrance of Paradise, called the water of life. They will grow on its banks, as a seed carried by the torrent grows. You have noticed how it grows beside a rock or beside a tree, and how the side facing the sun is usually green while the side facing the shade is white. Those people will come out (of the River of Life) like pearls, and they will have (golden) necklaces, and then they will enter Paradise whereupon the people of Paradise will say, 'These are the people emancipated by the Beneficent. He has admitted them into Paradise without them having done any good deeds and without sending forth any good (for themselves).' Then it will be said to them, 'For you is what you have seen and its equivalent as well

    العربية

    حَدَّثَنَا يَحْيَى بْنُ بُكَيْرٍ، حَدَّثَنَا اللَّيْثُ، عَنْ خَالِدِ بْنِ يَزِيدَ، عَنْ سَعِيدِ بْنِ أَبِي هِلاَلٍ، عَنْ زَيْدٍ، عَنْ عَطَاءِ بْنِ يَسَارٍ، عَنْ أَبِي سَعِيدٍ الْخُدْرِيِّ، قَالَ قُلْنَا يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ هَلْ نَرَى رَبَّنَا يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ قَالَ ‏"‏ هَلْ تُضَارُونَ فِي رُؤْيَةِ الشَّمْسِ وَالْقَمَرِ إِذَا كَانَتْ صَحْوًا ‏"‏‏.‏ قُلْنَا لاَ‏.‏ قَالَ ‏"‏ فَإِنَّكُمْ لاَ تُضَارُونَ فِي رُؤْيَةِ رَبِّكُمْ يَوْمَئِذٍ، إِلاَّ كَمَا تُضَارُونَ فِي رُؤْيَتِهِمَا ـ ثُمَّ قَالَ ـ يُنَادِي مُنَادٍ لِيَذْهَبْ كُلُّ قَوْمٍ إِلَى مَا كَانُوا يَعْبُدُونَ‏.‏ فَيَذْهَبُ أَصْحَابُ الصَّلِيبِ مَعَ صَلِيبِهِمْ، وَأَصْحَابُ الأَوْثَانِ مَعَ أَوْثَانِهِمْ، وَأَصْحَابُ كُلِّ آلِهَةٍ مَعَ آلِهَتِهِمْ حَتَّى يَبْقَى مَنْ كَانَ يَعْبُدُ اللَّهَ مِنْ بَرٍّ أَوْ فَاجِرٍ، وَغُبَّرَاتٌ مِنْ أَهْلِ الْكِتَابِ، ثُمَّ يُؤْتَى بِجَهَنَّمَ تُعْرَضُ كَأَنَّهَا سَرَابٌ فَيُقَالُ لِلْيَهُودِ مَا كُنْتُمْ تَعْبُدُونَ قَالُوا كُنَّا نَعْبُدُ عُزَيْرَ ابْنَ اللَّهِ‏.‏ فَيُقَالُ كَذَبْتُمْ لَمْ يَكُنْ لِلَّهِ صَاحِبَةٌ وَلاَ وَلَدٌ فَمَا تُرِيدُونَ قَالُوا نُرِيدُ أَنْ تَسْقِيَنَا، فَيُقَالُ اشْرَبُوا فَيَتَسَاقَطُونَ فِي جَهَنَّمَ ثُمَّ يُقَالُ لِلنَّصَارَى مَا كُنْتُمْ تَعْبُدُونَ فَيَقُولُونَ كُنَّا نَعْبُدُ الْمَسِيحَ ابْنَ اللَّهِ‏.‏ فَيُقَالُ كَذَبْتُمْ لَمْ يَكُنْ لِلَّهِ صَاحِبَةٌ وَلاَ وَلَدٌ، فَمَا تُرِيدُونَ فَيَقُولُونَ نُرِيدُ أَنْ تَسْقِيَنَا‏.‏ فَيُقَالُ اشْرَبُوا‏.‏ فَيَتَسَاقَطُونَ حَتَّى يَبْقَى مَنْ كَانَ يَعْبُدُ اللَّهَ مِنْ بَرٍّ أَوْ فَاجِرٍ فَيُقَالُ لَهُمْ مَا يَحْبِسُكُمْ وَقَدْ ذَهَبَ النَّاسُ فَيَقُولُونَ فَارَقْنَاهُمْ وَنَحْنُ أَحْوَجُ مِنَّا إِلَيْهِ الْيَوْمَ وَإِنَّا سَمِعْنَا مُنَادِيًا يُنَادِي لِيَلْحَقْ كُلُّ قَوْمٍ بِمَا كَانُوا يَعْبُدُونَ‏.‏ وَإِنَّمَا نَنْتَظِرُ رَبَّنَا ـ قَالَ ـ فَيَأْتِيهِمُ الْجَبَّارُ‏.‏ فَيَقُولُ أَنَا رَبُّكُمْ‏.‏ فَيَقُولُونَ أَنْتَ رَبُّنَا‏.‏ فَلاَ يُكَلِّمُهُ إِلاَّ الأَنْبِيَاءُ فَيَقُولُ هَلْ بَيْنَكُمْ وَبَيْنَهُ آيَةٌ تَعْرِفُونَهُ فَيَقُولُونَ السَّاقُ‏.‏ فَيَكْشِفُ عَنْ سَاقِهِ فَيَسْجُدُ لَهُ كُلُّ مُؤْمِنٍ، وَيَبْقَى مَنْ كَانَ يَسْجُدُ لِلَّهِ رِيَاءً وَسُمْعَةً، فَيَذْهَبُ كَيْمَا يَسْجُدَ فَيَعُودُ ظَهْرُهُ طَبَقًا وَاحِدًا، ثُمَّ يُؤْتَى بِالْجَسْرِ فَيُجْعَلُ بَيْنَ ظَهْرَىْ جَهَنَّمَ ‏"‏‏.‏ قُلْنَا يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ وَمَا الْجَسْرُ قَالَ ‏"‏ مَدْحَضَةٌ مَزِلَّةٌ، عَلَيْهِ خَطَاطِيفُ وَكَلاَلِيبُ وَحَسَكَةٌ مُفَلْطَحَةٌ، لَهَا شَوْكَةٌ عُقَيْفَاءُ تَكُونُ بِنَجْدٍ يُقَالُ لَهَا السَّعْدَانُ، الْمُؤْمِنُ عَلَيْهَا كَالطَّرْفِ وَكَالْبَرْقِ وَكَالرِّيحِ وَكَأَجَاوِيدِ الْخَيْلِ وَالرِّكَابِ، فَنَاجٍ مُسَلَّمٌ وَنَاجٍ مَخْدُوشٌ وَمَكْدُوسٌ فِي نَارِ جَهَنَّمَ، حَتَّى يَمُرَّ آخِرُهُمْ يُسْحَبُ سَحْبًا، فَمَا أَنْتُمْ بِأَشَدَّ لِي مُنَاشَدَةً فِي الْحَقِّ، قَدْ تَبَيَّنَ لَكُمْ مِنَ الْمُؤْمِنِ يَوْمَئِذٍ لِلْجَبَّارِ، وَإِذَا رَأَوْا أَنَّهُمْ قَدْ نَجَوْا فِي إِخْوَانِهِمْ يَقُولُونَ رَبَّنَا إِخْوَانُنَا كَانُوا يُصَلُّونَ مَعَنَا وَيَصُومُونَ مَعَنَا وَيَعْمَلُونَ مَعَنَا‏.‏ فَيَقُولُ اللَّهُ تَعَالَى اذْهَبُوا فَمَنْ وَجَدْتُمْ فِي قَلْبِهِ مِثْقَالَ دِينَارٍ مِنْ إِيمَانٍ فَأَخْرِجُوهُ‏.‏ وَيُحَرِّمُ اللَّهُ صُوَرَهُمْ عَلَى النَّارِ، فَيَأْتُونَهُمْ وَبَعْضُهُمْ قَدْ غَابَ فِي النَّارِ إِلَى قَدَمِهِ وَإِلَى أَنْصَافِ سَاقَيْهِ، فَيُخْرِجُونَ مَنْ عَرَفُوا، ثُمَّ يَعُودُونَ فَيَقُولُ اذْهَبُوا فَمَنْ وَجَدْتُمْ فِي قَلْبِهِ مِثْقَالَ نِصْفِ دِينَارٍ فَأَخْرِجُوهُ‏.‏ فَيُخْرِجُونَ مَنْ عَرَفُوا، ثُمَّ يَعُودُونَ فَيَقُولُ اذْهَبُوا فَمَنْ وَجَدْتُمْ فِي قَلْبِهِ مِثْقَالَ ذَرَّةٍ مِنْ إِيمَانٍ فَأَخْرِجُوهُ‏.‏ فَيُخْرِجُونَ مَنْ عَرَفُوا ‏"‏‏.‏ قَالَ أَبُو سَعِيدٍ فَإِنْ لَمْ تُصَدِّقُونِي فَاقْرَءُوا ‏{‏إِنَّ اللَّهَ لاَ يَظْلِمُ مِثْقَالَ ذَرَّةٍ وَإِنْ تَكُ حَسَنَةً يُضَاعِفْهَا‏}‏ ‏"‏ فَيَشْفَعُ النَّبِيُّونَ وَالْمَلاَئِكَةُ وَالْمُؤْمِنُونَ فَيَقُولُ الْجَبَّارُ بَقِيَتْ شَفَاعَتِي‏.‏ فَيَقْبِضُ قَبْضَةً مِنَ النَّارِ فَيُخْرِجُ أَقْوَامًا قَدِ امْتُحِشُوا، فَيُلْقَوْنَ فِي نَهَرٍ بِأَفْوَاهِ الْجَنَّةِ يُقَالُ لَهُ مَاءُ الْحَيَاةِ، فَيَنْبُتُونَ فِي حَافَتَيْهِ كَمَا تَنْبُتُ الْحِبَّةُ فِي حَمِيلِ السَّيْلِ، قَدْ رَأَيْتُمُوهَا إِلَى جَانِبِ الصَّخْرَةِ إِلَى جَانِبِ الشَّجَرَةِ، فَمَا كَانَ إِلَى الشَّمْسِ مِنْهَا كَانَ أَخْضَرَ، وَمَا كَانَ مِنْهَا إِلَى الظِّلِّ كَانَ أَبْيَضَ، فَيَخْرُجُونَ كَأَنَّهُمُ اللُّؤْلُؤُ، فَيُجْعَلُ فِي رِقَابِهِمُ الْخَوَاتِيمُ فَيَدْخُلُونَ الْجَنَّةَ فَيَقُولُ أَهْلُ الْجَنَّةِ هَؤُلاَءِ عُتَقَاءُ الرَّحْمَنِ أَدْخَلَهُمُ الْجَنَّةَ بِغَيْرِ عَمَلٍ عَمِلُوهُ وَلاَ خَيْرٍ قَدَّمُوهُ‏.‏ فَيُقَالُ لَهُمْ لَكُمْ مَا رَأَيْتُمْ وَمِثْلُهُ مَعَهُ ‏"‏‏.‏

  2. 2
    Hadith Sahih al-Bukhari 6573
    Sahih Bukhari

    The hooks snatch people according to their deeds; the messengers pray "save us, save us".

    Narrated Abu Huraira:Some people said, "O Allah's Messenger (ﷺ)! Shall we see our Lord on the Day of Resurrection?" He said, "Do you crowd and squeeze each other on looking at the sun when it is not hidden by clouds?" They replied, "No, Allah's Messenger (ﷺ)." He said, "Do you crowd and squeeze each other on looking at the moon when it is full and not hidden by clouds?" They replied, No, O Allah's Messenger (ﷺ)!" He said, "So you will see Him (your Lord) on the Day of Resurrection similarly Allah will gather all the people and say, 'Whoever used to worship anything should follow that thing. 'So, he who used to worship the sun, will follow it, and he who used to worship the moon will follow it, and he who used to worship false deities will follow them; and then only this nation (i.e., Muslims) will remain, including their hypocrites. Allah will come to them in a shape other than they know and will say, 'I am your Lord.' They will say, 'We seek refuge with Allah from you. This is our place; (we will not follow you) till our Lord comes to us, and when our Lord comes to us, we will recognize Him. Then Allah will come to then in a shape they know and will say, "I am your Lord.' They will say, '(No doubt) You are our Lord,' and they will follow Him. Then a bridge will be laid over the (Hell) Fire." Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) added, "I will be the first to cross it. And the invocation of the Apostles on that Day, will be 'Allahumma Sallim, Sallim (O Allah, save us, save us!),' and over that bridge there will be hooks Similar to the thorns of As Sa'dan (a thorny tree). Didn't you see the thorns of As-Sa'dan?" The companions said, "Yes, O Allah's Messenger (ﷺ)." He added, "So the hooks over that bridge will be like the thorns of As-Sa-dan except that their greatness in size is only known to Allah. These hooks will snatch the people according to their deeds. Some people will be ruined because of their evil deeds, and some will be cut into pieces and fall down in Hell, but will be saved afterwards, when Allah has finished the judgments among His slaves, and intends to take out of the Fire whoever He wishes to take out from among those who used to testify that none had the right to be worshipped but Allah. We will order the angels to take them out and the angels will know them by the mark of the traces of prostration (on their foreheads) for Allah banned the f ire to consume the traces of prostration on the body of Adam's son. So they will take them out, and by then they would have burnt (as coal), and then water, called Ma'ul Hayat (water of life) will be poured on them, and they will spring out like a seed springs out on the bank of a rainwater stream, and there will remain one man who will be facing the (Hell) Fire and will say, 'O Lord! It's (Hell's) vapor has Poisoned and smoked me and its flame has burnt me; please turn my face away from the Fire.' He will keep on invoking Allah till Allah says, 'Perhaps, if I give you what you want), you will ask for another thing?' The man will say, 'No, by Your Power, I will not ask You for anything else.' Then Allah will turn his face away from the Fire. The man will say after that, 'O Lord, bring me near the gate of Paradise.' Allah will say (to him), 'Didn't you promise not to ask for anything else? Woe to you, O son of Adam ! How treacherous you are!' The man will keep on invoking Allah till Allah will say, 'But if I give you that, you may ask me for something else.' The man will say, 'No, by Your Power. I will not ask for anything else.' He will give Allah his covenant and promise not to ask for anything else after that. So Allah will bring him near to the gate of Paradise, and when he sees what is in it, he will remain silent as long as Allah will, and then he will say, 'O Lord! Let me enter Paradise.' Allah will say, 'Didn't you promise that you would not ask Me for anything other than that? Woe to you, O son of Adam ! How treacherous you are!' On that, the man will say, 'O Lord! Do not make me the most wretched of Your creation,' and will keep on invoking Allah till Allah will smile and when Allah will smile because of him, then He will allow him to enter Paradise, and when he will enter Paradise, he will be addressed, 'Wish from so-and-so.' He will wish till all his wishes will be fulfilled, then Allah will say, All this (i.e. what you have wished for) and as much again therewith are for you.' " Abu Huraira added: That man will be the last of the people of Paradise to enter (Paradise)

    العربية

    حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو الْيَمَانِ، أَخْبَرَنَا شُعَيْبٌ، عَنِ الزُّهْرِيِّ، أَخْبَرَنِي سَعِيدٌ، وَعَطَاءُ بْنُ يَزِيدَ، أَنَّ أَبَا هُرَيْرَةَ، أَخْبَرَهُمَا عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم‏.‏ وَحَدَّثَنِي مَحْمُودٌ، حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ الرَّزَّاقِ، أَخْبَرَنَا مَعْمَرٌ، عَنِ الزُّهْرِيِّ، عَنْ عَطَاءِ بْنِ يَزِيدَ اللَّيْثِيِّ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، قَالَ قَالَ أُنَاسٌ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ هَلْ نَرَى رَبَّنَا يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ فَقَالَ ‏"‏ هَلْ تُضَارُّونَ فِي الشَّمْسِ، لَيْسَ دُونَهَا سَحَابٌ ‏"‏‏.‏ قَالُوا لاَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ‏.‏ قَالَ ‏"‏ هَلْ تُضَارُّونَ فِي الْقَمَرِ لَيْلَةَ الْبَدْرِ، لَيْسَ دُونَهُ سَحَابٌ ‏"‏‏.‏ قَالُوا لاَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ‏.‏ قَالَ ‏"‏ فَإِنَّكُمْ تَرَوْنَهُ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ كَذَلِكَ، يَجْمَعُ اللَّهُ النَّاسَ فَيَقُولُ مَنْ كَانَ يَعْبُدُ شَيْئًا فَلْيَتَّبِعْهُ، فَيَتْبَعُ مَنْ كَانَ يَعْبُدُ الشَّمْسَ، وَيَتْبَعُ مَنْ كَانَ يَعْبُدُ الْقَمَرَ، وَيَتْبَعُ مَنْ كَانَ يَعْبُدُ الطَّوَاغِيتَ، وَتَبْقَى هَذِهِ الأُمَّةُ فِيهَا مُنَافِقُوهَا، فَيَأْتِيهِمُ اللَّهُ فِي غَيْرِ الصُّورَةِ الَّتِي يَعْرِفُونَ فَيَقُولُ أَنَا رَبُّكُمْ‏.‏ فَيَقُولُونَ نَعُوذُ بِاللَّهِ مِنْكَ، هَذَا مَكَانُنَا حَتَّى يَأْتِيَنَا رَبُّنَا، فَإِذَا أَتَانَا رَبُّنَا عَرَفْنَاهُ فَيَأْتِيهِمُ اللَّهُ فِي الصُّورَةِ الَّتِي يَعْرِفُونَ فَيَقُولُ أَنَا رَبُّكُمْ‏.‏ فَيَقُولُونَ أَنْتَ رَبُّنَا، فَيَتْبَعُونَهُ وَيُضْرَبُ جِسْرُ جَهَنَّمَ ‏"‏‏.‏ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏"‏ فَأَكُونُ أَوَّلَ مَنْ يُجِيزُ، وَدُعَاءُ الرُّسُلِ يَوْمَئِذٍ اللَّهُمَّ سَلِّمْ سَلِّمْ، وَبِهِ كَلاَلِيبُ مِثْلُ شَوْكِ السَّعْدَانِ، أَمَا رَأَيْتُمْ شَوْكَ السَّعْدَانِ ‏"‏‏.‏ قَالُوا بَلَى يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ‏.‏ قَالَ ‏"‏ فَإِنَّهَا مِثْلُ شَوْكِ السَّعْدَانِ، غَيْرَ أَنَّهَا لاَ يَعْلَمُ قَدْرَ عِظَمِهَا إِلاَّ اللَّهُ، فَتَخْطَفُ النَّاسَ بِأَعْمَالِهِمْ، مِنْهُمُ الْمُوبَقُ، بِعَمَلِهِ وَمِنْهُمُ الْمُخَرْدَلُ، ثُمَّ يَنْجُو، حَتَّى إِذَا فَرَغَ اللَّهُ مِنَ الْقَضَاءِ بَيْنَ عِبَادِهِ، وَأَرَادَ أَنْ يُخْرِجَ مِنَ النَّارِ مَنْ أَرَادَ أَنْ يُخْرِجَ، مِمَّنْ كَانَ يَشْهَدُ أَنْ لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ اللَّهُ، أَمَرَ الْمَلاَئِكَةَ أَنْ يُخْرِجُوهُمْ، فَيَعْرِفُونَهُمْ بِعَلاَمَةِ آثَارِ السُّجُودِ، وَحَرَّمَ اللَّهُ عَلَى النَّارِ أَنْ تَأْكُلَ مِنِ ابْنِ آدَمَ أَثَرَ السُّجُودِ، فَيُخْرِجُونَهُمْ قَدِ امْتُحِشُوا، فَيُصَبُّ عَلَيْهِمْ مَاءٌ يُقَالُ لَهُ مَاءُ الْحَيَاةِ، فَيَنْبُتُونَ نَبَاتَ الْحِبَّةِ فِي حَمِيلِ السَّيْلِ، وَيَبْقَى رَجُلٌ مُقْبِلٌ بِوَجْهِهِ عَلَى النَّارِ فَيَقُولُ يَا رَبِّ قَدْ قَشَبَنِي رِيحُهَا وَأَحْرَقَنِي ذَكَاؤُهَا، فَاصْرِفْ وَجْهِي عَنِ النَّارِ فَلاَ يَزَالُ يَدْعُو اللَّهَ‏.‏ فَيَقُولُ لَعَلَّكَ إِنْ أَعْطَيْتُكَ أَنْ تَسْأَلَنِي غَيْرَهُ‏.‏ فَيَقُولُ لاَ وَعِزَّتِكَ لاَ أَسْأَلُكَ غَيْرَهُ‏.‏ فَيَصْرِفُ وَجْهَهُ عَنِ النَّارِ، ثُمَّ يَقُولُ بَعْدَ ذَلِكَ يَا رَبِّ قَرِّبْنِي إِلَى باب الْجَنَّةِ‏.‏ فَيَقُولُ أَلَيْسَ قَدْ زَعَمْتَ أَنْ لاَ تَسْأَلْنِي غَيْرَهُ، وَيْلَكَ ابْنَ آدَمَ مَا أَغْدَرَكَ‏.‏ فَلاَ يَزَالُ يَدْعُو‏.‏ فَيَقُولُ لَعَلِّي إِنْ أَعْطَيْتُكَ ذَلِكَ تَسْأَلَنِي غَيْرَهُ‏.‏ فَيَقُولُ لاَ وَعِزَّتِكَ لاَ أَسْأَلُكَ غَيْرَهُ‏.‏ فَيُعْطِي اللَّهَ مِنْ عُهُودٍ وَمَوَاثِيقَ أَنْ لاَ يَسْأَلَهُ غَيْرَهُ، فَيُقَرِّبُهُ إِلَى باب الْجَنَّةِ، فَإِذَا رَأَى مَا فِيهَا سَكَتَ مَا شَاءَ اللَّهُ أَنْ يَسْكُتَ، ثُمَّ يَقُولُ رَبِّ أَدْخِلْنِي الْجَنَّةَ‏.‏ ثُمَّ يَقُولُ أَوَلَيْسَ قَدْ زَعَمْتَ أَنْ لاَ تَسْأَلَنِي غَيْرَهُ، وَيْلَكَ يَا ابْنَ آدَمَ مَا أَغْدَرَكَ فَيَقُولُ يَا رَبِّ لاَ تَجْعَلْنِي أَشْقَى خَلْقِكَ‏.‏ فَلاَ يَزَالُ يَدْعُو حَتَّى يَضْحَكَ، فَإِذَا ضَحِكَ مِنْهُ أَذِنَ لَهُ بِالدُّخُولِ فِيهَا، فَإِذَا دَخَلَ فِيهَا قِيلَ تَمَنَّ مِنْ كَذَا‏.‏ فَيَتَمَنَّى، ثُمَّ يُقَالُ لَهُ تَمَنَّ مِنْ كَذَا‏.‏ فَيَتَمَنَّى حَتَّى تَنْقَطِعَ بِهِ الأَمَانِيُّ فَيَقُولُ لَهُ هَذَا لَكَ وَمِثْلُهُ مَعَهُ ‏"‏‏.‏ قَالَ أَبُو هُرَيْرَةَ وَذَلِكَ الرَّجُلُ آخِرُ أَهْلِ الْجَنَّةِ دُخُولاً‏.‏

  3. 3
    Quran Maryam · 19:71–72

    Everyone will come to it, then Allah saves those who feared Him.

    وَإِن مِّنكُمۡ إِلَّا وَارِدُهَاۚ كَانَ عَلَىٰ رَبِّكَ حَتۡمࣰ ا مَّقۡضِيࣰّ ا ۝٧١ ثُمَّ نُنَجِّي ٱلَّذِينَ ٱتَّقَواْ وَّنَذَرُ ٱلظَّٰلِمِينَ فِيهَا جِثِيࣰّ ا ۝٧٢

    71 And there is none of you except he will come to it. This is upon your Lord an inevitability decreed 72 Then We will save those who feared Allah and leave the wrongdoers within it, on their knees

  4. 4
    Quran Taa-Haa · 20:109

    Intercession only benefits by the permission of the Most Merciful.

    يَوۡمَئِذࣲ لَّا تَنفَعُ ٱلشَّفَٰعَةُ إِلَّا مَنۡ أَذِنَ لَهُ ٱلرَّحۡمَٰنُ وَرَضِيَ لَهُۥ قَوۡلࣰ ا ۝١٠٩

    That Day, no intercession will benefit except [that of] one to whom the Most Merciful has given permission and has accepted his word

  5. 5
    Hadith Sahih al-Bukhari 6304
    Sahih Bukhari

    The Prophet ﷺ saved his special dua to intercede for his ummah.

    Narrated Abu Huraira: Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said, "For every prophet there is one (special invocation (that will not be rejected) with which he appeals (to Allah), and I want to keep such an invocation for interceding for my followers in the Hereafter

    العربية

    حَدَّثَنَا إِسْمَاعِيلُ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنِي مَالِكٌ، عَنْ أَبِي الزِّنَادِ، عَنِ الأَعْرَجِ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ ‏ "‏ لِكُلِّ نَبِيٍّ دَعْوَةٌ مُسْتَجَابَةٌ يَدْعُو بِهَا، وَأُرِيدُ أَنْ أَخْتَبِئَ دَعْوَتِي شَفَاعَةً لأُمَّتِي فِي الآخِرَةِ ‏"‏‏.‏

  6. 6
    Hadith Sahih al-Bukhari 7510
    Sahih Bukhari

    The hadith of the great intercession; the Prophet ﷺ brings out those with even a tiny amount of faith.

    Narrated Ma`bad bin Hilal Al-`Anzi:We, i.e., some people from Basra gathered and went to Anas bin Malik, and we went in company with Thabit Al-Bunnani so that he might ask him about the Hadith of Intercession on our behalf. Behold, Anas was in his palace, and our arrival coincided with his Duha prayer. We asked permission to enter and he admitted us while he was sitting on his bed. We said to Thabit, "Do not ask him about anything else first but the Hadith of Intercession." He said, "O Abu Hamza! There are your brethren from Basra coming to ask you about the Hadith of Intercession." Anas then said, "Muhammad talked to us saying, 'On the Day of Resurrection the people will surge with each other like waves, and then they will come to Adam and say, 'Please intercede for us with your Lord.' He will say, 'I am not fit for that but you'd better go to Abraham as he is the Khalil of the Beneficent.' They will go to Abraham and he will say, 'I am not fit for that, but you'd better go to Moses as he is the one to whom Allah spoke directly.' So they will go to Moses and he will say, 'I am not fit for that, but you'd better go to Jesus as he is a soul created by Allah and His Word.' (Be: And it was) they will go to Jesus and he will say, 'I am not fit for that, but you'd better go to Muhammad.' They would come to me and I would say, 'I am for that.' Then I will ask for my Lord's permission, and it will be given, and then He will inspire me to praise Him with such praises as I do not know now. So I will praise Him with those praises and will fall down, prostrate before Him. Then it will be said, 'O Muhammad, raise your head and speak, for you will be listened to; and ask, for your will be granted (your request); and intercede, for your intercession will be accepted.' I will say, 'O Lord, my followers! My followers!' And then it will be said, 'Go and take out of Hell (Fire) all those who have faith in their hearts, equal to the weight of a barley grain.' I will go and do so and return to praise Him with the same praises, and fall down (prostrate) before Him. Then it will be said, 'O Muhammad, raise your head and speak, for you will be listened to, and ask, for you will be granted (your request); and intercede, for your intercession will be accepted.' I will say, 'O Lord, my followers! My followers!' It will be said, 'Go and take out of it all those who have faith in their hearts equal to the weight of a small ant or a mustard seed.' I will go and do so and return to praise Him with the same praises, and fall down in prostration before Him. It will be said, 'O, Muhammad, raise your head and speak, for you will be listened to, and ask, for you will be granted (your request); and intercede, for your intercession will be accepted.' I will say, 'O Lord, my followers!' Then He will say, 'Go and take out (all those) in whose hearts there is faith even to the lightest, lightest mustard seed. (Take them) out of the Fire.' I will go and do so."' When we left Anas, I said to some of my companions, "Let's pass by Al-Hasan who is hiding himself in the house of Abi Khalifa and request him to tell us what Anas bin Malik has told us." So we went to him and we greeted him and he admitted us. We said to him, "O Abu Sa`id! We came to you from your brother Anas Bin Malik and he related to us a Hadith about the intercession the like of which I have never heard." He said, "What is that?" Then we told him of the Hadith and said, "He stopped at this point (of the Hadith)." He said, "What then?" We said, "He did not add anything to that." He said, Anas related the Hadith to me twenty years ago when he was a young fellow. I don't know whether he forgot or if he did not like to let you depend on what he might have said." We said, "O Abu Sa`id ! Let us know that." He smiled and said, "Man was created hasty. I did not mention that, but that I wanted to inform you of it. Anas told me the same as he told you and said that the Prophet (ﷺ) added, 'I then return for a fourth time and praise Him similarly and prostrate before Him me the same as he 'O Muhammad, raise your head and speak, for you will be listened to; and ask, for you will be granted (your request): and intercede, for your intercession will be accepted .' I will say, 'O Lord, allow me to intercede for whoever said, 'None has the right to be worshiped except Allah.' Then Allah will say, 'By my Power, and my Majesty, and by My Supremacy, and by My Greatness, I will take out of Hell (Fire) whoever said: 'None has the right to be worshipped except Allah

    العربية

    حَدَّثَنَا سُلَيْمَانُ بْنُ حَرْبٍ، حَدَّثَنَا حَمَّادُ بْنُ زَيْدٍ، حَدَّثَنَا مَعْبَدُ بْنُ هِلاَلٍ الْعَنَزِيُّ، قَالَ اجْتَمَعْنَا نَاسٌ مِنْ أَهْلِ الْبَصْرَةِ فَذَهَبْنَا إِلَى أَنَسِ بْنِ مَالِكٍ وَذَهَبْنَا مَعَنَا بِثَابِتٍ إِلَيْهِ يَسْأَلُهُ لَنَا عَنْ حَدِيثِ الشَّفَاعَةِ، فَإِذَا هُوَ فِي قَصْرِهِ فَوَافَقْنَاهُ يُصَلِّي الضُّحَى، فَاسْتَأْذَنَّا، فَأَذِنَ لَنَا وَهْوَ قَاعِدٌ عَلَى فِرَاشِهِ فَقُلْنَا لِثَابِتٍ لاَ تَسْأَلْهُ عَنْ شَىْءٍ أَوَّلَ مِنْ حَدِيثِ الشَّفَاعَةِ فَقَالَ يَا أَبَا حَمْزَةَ هَؤُلاَءِ إِخْوَانُكَ مِنْ أَهْلِ الْبَصْرَةِ جَاءُوكَ يَسْأَلُونَكَ عَنْ حَدِيثِ الشَّفَاعَةِ‏.‏ فَقَالَ حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدٌ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ ‏"‏ إِذَا كَانَ يَوْمُ الْقِيَامَةِ مَاجَ النَّاسُ بَعْضُهُمْ فِي بَعْضٍ فَيَأْتُونَ آدَمَ فَيَقُولُونَ اشْفَعْ لَنَا إِلَى رَبِّكَ‏.‏ فَيَقُولُ لَسْتُ لَهَا وَلَكِنْ عَلَيْكُمْ بِإِبْرَاهِيمَ فَإِنَّهُ خَلِيلُ الرَّحْمَنِ‏.‏ فَيَأْتُونَ إِبْرَاهِيمَ فَيَقُولُ لَسْتُ لَهَا وَلَكِنْ عَلَيْكُمْ بِمُوسَى فَإِنَّهُ كَلِيمُ اللَّهِ‏.‏ فَيَأْتُونَ مُوسَى فَيَقُولُ لَسْتُ لَهَا وَلَكِنْ عَلَيْكُمْ بِعِيسَى فَإِنَّهُ رُوحُ اللَّهِ وَكَلِمَتُهُ‏.‏ فَيَأْتُونَ عِيسَى فَيَقُولُ لَسْتُ لَهَا وَلَكِنْ عَلَيْكُمْ بِمُحَمَّدٍ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَيَأْتُونِي فَأَقُولُ أَنَا لَهَا‏.‏ فَأَسْتَأْذِنُ عَلَى رَبِّي فَيُؤْذَنُ لِي وَيُلْهِمُنِي مَحَامِدَ أَحْمَدُهُ بِهَا لاَ تَحْضُرُنِي الآنَ، فَأَحْمَدُهُ بِتِلْكَ الْمَحَامِدِ وَأَخِرُّ لَهُ سَاجِدًا فَيُقَالُ يَا مُحَمَّدُ ارْفَعْ رَأْسَكَ، وَقُلْ يُسْمَعْ لَكَ، وَسَلْ تُعْطَ، وَاشْفَعْ تُشَفَّعْ‏.‏ فَأَقُولُ يَا رَبِّ أُمَّتِي أُمَّتِي‏.‏ فَيُقَالُ انْطَلِقْ فَأَخْرِجْ مَنْ كَانَ فِي قَلْبِهِ مِثْقَالُ شَعِيرَةٍ مِنْ إِيمَانٍ‏.‏ فَأَنْطَلِقُ فَأَفْعَلُ ثُمَّ أَعُودُ فَأَحْمَدُهُ بِتِلْكَ الْمَحَامِدِ، ثُمَّ أَخِرُّ لَهُ سَاجِدًا فَيُقَالُ يَا مُحَمَّدُ ارْفَعْ رَأْسَكَ، وَقُلْ يُسْمَعْ لَكَ، وَسَلْ تُعْطَ، وَاشْفَعْ تُشَفَّعْ، فَأَقُولُ يَا رَبِّ أُمَّتِي أُمَّتِي‏.‏ فَيُقَالُ انْطَلِقْ فَأَخْرِجْ مِنْهَا مَنْ كَانَ فِي قَلْبِهِ مِثْقَالُ ذَرَّةٍ أَوْ خَرْدَلَةٍ مِنْ إِيمَانٍ‏.‏ فَأَنْطَلِقُ فَأَفْعَلُ ثُمَّ أَعُودُ فَأَحْمَدُهُ بِتِلْكَ الْمَحَامِدِ، ثُمَّ أَخِرُّ لَهُ سَاجِدًا فَيُقَالُ يَا مُحَمَّدُ ارْفَعْ رَأْسَكَ، وَقُلْ يُسْمَعْ لَكَ، وَسَلْ تُعْطَ، وَاشْفَعْ تُشَفَّعْ‏.‏ فَأَقُولُ يَا رَبِّ أُمَّتِي أُمَّتِي‏.‏ فَيَقُولُ انْطَلِقْ فَأَخْرِجْ مَنْ كَانَ فِي قَلْبِهِ أَدْنَى أَدْنَى أَدْنَى مِثْقَالِ حَبَّةِ خَرْدَلٍ مِنْ إِيمَانٍ، فَأَخْرِجْهُ مِنَ النَّارِ‏.‏ فَأَنْطَلِقُ فَأَفْعَلُ ‏"‏‏.‏ فَلَمَّا خَرَجْنَا مِنْ عِنْدِ أَنَسٍ قُلْتُ لِبَعْضِ أَصْحَابِنَا لَوْ مَرَرْنَا بِالْحَسَنِ وَهْوَ مُتَوَارٍ فِي مَنْزِلِ أَبِي خَلِيفَةَ فَحَدَّثَنَا بِمَا حَدَّثَنَا أَنَسُ بْنُ مَالِكٍ، فَأَتَيْنَاهُ فَسَلَّمْنَا عَلَيْهِ فَأَذِنَ لَنَا فَقُلْنَا لَهُ يَا أَبَا سَعِيدٍ جِئْنَاكَ مِنْ عِنْدِ أَخِيكَ أَنَسِ بْنِ مَالِكٍ فَلَمْ نَرَ مِثْلَ مَا حَدَّثَنَا فِي الشَّفَاعَةِ، فَقَالَ هِيهِ، فَحَدَّثْنَاهُ بِالْحَدِيثِ فَانْتَهَى إِلَى هَذَا الْمَوْضِعِ فَقَالَ هِيهِ، فَقُلْنَا لَمْ يَزِدْ لَنَا عَلَى هَذَا‏.‏ فَقَالَ لَقَدْ حَدَّثَنِي وَهْوَ جَمِيعٌ مُنْذُ عِشْرِينَ سَنَةً فَلاَ أَدْرِي أَنَسِيَ أَمْ كَرِهَ أَنْ تَتَّكِلُوا‏.‏ قُلْنَا يَا أَبَا سَعِيدٍ فَحَدِّثْنَا، فَضَحِكَ وَقَالَ خُلِقَ الإِنْسَانُ عَجُولاً مَا ذَكَرْتُهُ إِلاَّ وَأَنَا أُرِيدُ أَنْ أُحَدِّثَكُمْ حَدَّثَنِي كَمَا حَدَّثَكُمْ بِهِ قَالَ ‏"‏ ثُمَّ أَعُودُ الرَّابِعَةَ فَأَحْمَدُهُ بِتِلْكَ، ثُمَّ أَخِرُّ لَهُ سَاجِدًا فَيُقَالُ يَا مُحَمَّدُ ارْفَعْ رَأْسَكَ وَقُلْ يُسْمَعْ، وَسَلْ تُعْطَهْ، وَاشْفَعْ تُشَفَّعْ‏.‏ فَأَقُولُ يَا رَبِّ ائْذَنْ لِي فِيمَنْ قَالَ لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ اللَّهُ‏.‏ فَيَقُولُ وَعِزَّتِي وَجَلاَلِي وَكِبْرِيَائِي وَعَظَمَتِي لأُخْرِجَنَّ مِنْهَا مَنْ قَالَ لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ اللَّهُ ‏"‏‏.‏

  7. 7
    Hadith Sahih al-Bukhari 99
    Sahih Bukhari

    The happiest with his intercession is whoever sincerely said "La ilaha illallah".

    Narrated Abu Huraira:I said: "O Allah's Messenger (ﷺ)! Who will be the luckiest person, who will gain your intercession on the Day of Resurrection?" Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said: "O Abu Huraira! I have thought that none will ask me about it before you as I know your longing for the (learning of) Hadiths. The luckiest person who will have my intercession on the Day of Resurrection will be the one who said sincerely from the bottom of his heart "None has the right to be worshipped but Allah

    العربية

    حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ الْعَزِيزِ بْنُ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنِي سُلَيْمَانُ، عَنْ عَمْرِو بْنِ أَبِي عَمْرٍو، عَنْ سَعِيدِ بْنِ أَبِي سَعِيدٍ الْمَقْبُرِيِّ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، أَنَّهُ قَالَ قِيلَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ، مَنْ أَسْعَدُ النَّاسِ بِشَفَاعَتِكَ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏ "‏ لَقَدْ ظَنَنْتُ يَا أَبَا هُرَيْرَةَ أَنْ لاَ يَسْأَلَنِي عَنْ هَذَا الْحَدِيثِ أَحَدٌ أَوَّلُ مِنْكَ، لِمَا رَأَيْتُ مِنْ حِرْصِكَ عَلَى الْحَدِيثِ، أَسْعَدُ النَّاسِ بِشَفَاعَتِي يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ مَنْ قَالَ لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ اللَّهُ، خَالِصًا مِنْ قَلْبِهِ أَوْ نَفْسِهِ ‏"‏‏.‏

  8. 8
    Tafsir Al-Mukhtasar fi Tafsir al-Quran · 19:71

    There is not one among you - O people - who will not cross over the bridge placed over Hell. Your Lord has made this crossing an incumbent decree and no one can push back His decree.

This answer was compiled with the help of AI, using only the verified texts shown here. Every reference links to its source. If you find a mistake, please report it. Updated 2026-09-24

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