Riyad as-Salihin · Chapter 30

Intercession

باب الشفاعة

This short chapter is about shafa'ah, intercession, in its everyday sense: speaking up for someone who has a need and carrying their request to a person who can help. The Prophet (ﷺ) treated this not as a nuisance but as an opening for reward, and he modelled how to do it without ever forcing the outcome.

Notice the balance across the two hadith. Intercession is encouraged and rewarded, yet it always leaves the other person free to decide. The intercessor opens a door; he does not push anyone through it.

Hadith 246

Abu Musa Al-Ash'ari (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:

وعن أبي موسى الأشعري رضي الله عنه قال‏:‏ كان النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم إذا أتاه طالب حاجة أقبل على جلسائه فقال‏:‏ ‏:‏اشفعوا تؤجروا ويقضي الله على لسان نبيه ما أحب‏"‏ ‏(‏‏(‏متفق عليه‏)‏‏)‏‏.‏ (16)

Whenever a needy person would come to the Prophet (ﷺ), he would turn to those who were present and say, "If you make intercession for him, you will be rewarded, because Allah decreed what He likes by the tongue of His Messenger". [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

In plain words

Whenever someone came with a need, the Prophet would invite those present to speak up for that person, telling them they would be rewarded for interceding. Helping carry another's request is itself an act of good.

Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 246 In-book reference : Introduction, Hadith 246

Hadith 247

Ibn 'Abbas (May Allah bepleased with them), reported in connection with the case of Barirah (May Allah bepleased with her) and her husband:

وعن ابن عباس رضي الله عنهما في قصة بريرة وزوجها‏.‏ قال‏:‏ قال لها النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم‏:‏ ‏"‏لو راجعته‏؟‏‏"‏ قالت‏:‏ يا رسول الله تأمرني‏؟‏ قال ‏:‏ ‏"‏إنما أشفع‏"‏ قالت‏:‏ لا حاجة لي فيه‏.‏ ‏(‏‏(‏رواه البخاري‏)‏‏)‏‏.‏

The Prophet (ﷺ) said to her, "It is better for you to go back to your husband." She asked: "O Messenger of Allah, do you order me to do so." He replied, "I only intercede" She then said: "I have no need for him". [Al-Bukhari].

In plain words

The Prophet suggested to a woman that returning to her husband would be better, but when she asked if it was a command, he made clear he was only interceding. She was left free to choose, and she declined.

Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 247 In-book reference : Introduction, Hadith 247