The Prophet's Intercession and Rank in Paradise (may Allah bless him and give him peace)

The Prophet’s Intercession and Rank in Paradise (may Allah bless him and give him peace) RE: What is the definition of maqam al-mahmood and maqam al waseela? What are the differences between the two?

Walaikum assalam,

The praised station (al-maqam al-mahmud) is the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace)’s intercession. The station of mediation (maqam al-wasila) is a rank in Paradise that no one but the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) shall reach.

In Sahih al-Bukhari:

Jabir ibn Abd Allah (Allah be pleased with him) reports that the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace be upon him) said, “Whoever says the following after hearing the call to prayer deserves my intercession (shafa`a)  on the Day of Judgment: ‘O Allah, Lord of this perfect call and ready prayer! Grant Muhammad the mediation (wasila)and honor, and resurrect him on the praised station that your have promised him.’”

 

اللهُمّ ربَّ هذهِ الدَّعوةِ التّامّةِ والصّلاةِ القائِمةِ آتِ مُحمَّداً الوَسِيلةَ والفَضِيلةَ وابْعَثْهُ مَقاماً مَحمُوداً الَّذِي وعَدْتَهُ

Imam Badr al-Din al-`Ayni (Allah have mercy on him) explains this hadith in his commentary on Sahih al-Bukhari, `Umdat al-Qari:

 

(Mediation – wasila) Its linguistic sense is the means of drawing closer to another, and a rank with a king… A hadith in Sahih Muslim explained this as being a rank in Paradise… ‘Then ask Allah to grant me the mediation (wasila), for it is a rank in Paradise that none but a single servant of Allah’s servants deserves, and I hope that it be me, so whoever asks Allah that he grant me the mediation shall have my intercession.’ …

(Praised station – maqaman mahmudan) Ibn al-Jawzi said that most scholars hold this to mean the [major] intercession… [Ayni, Umdat al-Qari, 5.123-124]

This intercession is of various types, including the major intercession at the Gathering, where he (Allah bless him & give him peace, and grant us his intercession and concern) will intercede for all humanity and jinns to lessen the dreads of the Day of Resurrection.

The Prophet’s Intercessions Are Many

These major intercessions are 6:

1. Lessening the dreads of the Day of Resurrection;

2. Entering some people into Paradise without reckoning; these two are said to be particular to the Prophet (Allah bless him & give him peace);

3. For some who deserved punishment in the Fire;

4. Taking out some who actually entered the Fire;

5. Raising the ranks of those in Paradise;

6. Lessening the punishment of those eternally in the Fire, such as Abu Talib and others.

[Khadimi, al-Bariqa al-Mahmudiyya fi Sharh al-Tariqa al-Muhammadiyya, 1.78, quoting Qastallani, Laqani, and Suyuti]

Wassalam,
Faraz Rabbani

 

في صحيح البخاري: حدثنا علي بن عياش قال حدثنا شعيب بن أبي حمزة عن محمد بن المنكدر عن جابر بن عبد الله أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قال من قال حين يسمع النداء اللهم رب هذه الدعوة التامة والصلاة القائمة آت محمدا الوسيلة والفضيلة وابعثه مقاما محمودا الذي وعدته حلت له شفاعتي يوم القيامة