A Book that Leads to Salvation in Both Worlds
One of the manifestations of this mercy is Shifa’a (intercession). What is Shifa’a and who is able to do it for us?
Due to the principle of free will, man may sometimes make mistakes in his choices and choose the path of sins. In order to compensate for it, one needs to regret the sins and repent it. So Tawbah (repentance) and returning to the path of God helps one receive Shifa’a.
Shifa’a means asking for something from one who does the intercession. The Shafie (the Holy Prophet (PBUH) or others do the Shifa’a) pray to God and intercede to ask God to forgive a sinner or elevate the status of a person.
Belief in Shifa’a is a strong barrier that stands in the path of devastating flood of sins. One who believes in Shifa’a, wishes it and knows that he must remain careful about what he says and does and avoid sins so that he can receive it.
Shifa’a is a teaching that helps one to grow and return from the path of sins and prevents losing hope.
In Shia Islam, belief in Shifa’a is necessary. Imam Sadiq (AS) said: “Anyone who denies three things, namely Mi’raj, question and answer in the grave, and Shifa’a, is not among our Shias (followers). “
The belief in Shifa’a has many positive effects, including the following:
1- Hope in receiving forgiveness: Belief in Shifa’a helps a sinner retain hope that he will be forgiven by attaining God’s contentment.
2- Being encouraged to fulfil religious obligations: One who has committed sins will repent and make efforts to attract God’s mercy and forgiveness.
3- Expecting rewards: God has promised everlasting blessings to His servants and urged rebellious servants to repent. Given the principle of acceptance of repentance, Shifa’a is God’s reward to those who repent.
Now the question is who will do the Shifa’a?
1- God, the Almighty
God says: “The last one who does Shifa’a is God, who is the Most Compassionate and the Most Merciful.”
2- Divine Prophets
According to the Holy Quran, when the Prophet (PBUH) prays for someone to be forgiven, God will accept the prayer and forgive tat person:
“We did not send any Messengers for any reason other than to be obeyed because of the will of God. If they ever do injustice to themselves and come to you (Muhammad) asking for God's forgiveness and if the Messenger also was to ask God to forgive them, they would certainly find God All-forgiving and All-merciful.” (Verse 64 of Surah An-Nisa)
There is a Hadith according to which three groups can do Shifa’a for people before God: Prophets, religious scholars and martyrs.
3- The Holy Quran
According to Imam Ali (AS) in Sermon 176 of Nahj al-Balagha, the Quran is “an interceder and its intercession will be accepted. (And) it is a speaker who is testified.”
Therefore, taking recourse in the Quran and acting upon its teachings will help one achieve salvation in this world and the next.
