The Concept of Intercession – Fundamentals of Faith
Ustadh Yasir Qadhi discusses the concept of shafa’a or intercession. Which if misused and abused can also go against ones ubudiyya.
“…Knowledge is the discerning proof of what is right and what is wrong, and it is the positive force that will help you surmount the trials of comfort, as well as those of hardships. Knowledge is your most powerful sword against your enemy, and finally, it is your most dignifying raiment in the company of your close companions.”
— Mu’aadh ibn Jabal, radi’ Allaahu ‘anhu
Before a student of knowledge masters the complexities of Arabic grammar, the intricacies of fiqh, or the details of hadeeth criticism, he or she must have firm knowledge and belief in the fundamentals of our deen. Our ‘aqeedah is the pillar by which our deen stands firm, the fertile land from which all of our actions blossom, and it is the foundation from which all other Islamic sciences grow.
‘Aqeedah is linguistically derived from the term ‘aqadah’ – a verb which means “to hold fast to” or “to establish”. According to our scholars, ‘aqeedah is the firm creed and beliefs that one’s heart is fixed upon without any wavering or doubt. Are we certain about these beliefs to which our hearts should be tied? How well do we know the fundamental tenets of Islam, relating to our eman in Allah (swt), in the prophets, the books, the angels, the Last day and Qadr [fate]?
Imam Abu Haneefah, rahimahullah, called his work on ‘aqeedah “al-Fiqh al-Akbar” (The Greater Understanding), while he referred to shari’ah as simply, “the understanding of science”. This series of lectures is an opportunity to grasp this ‘greater understanding’, to grant us deeper awareness and knowledge about the crucial beliefs that form the skeleton of Islam, and to tie our hearts to these truths.
Yasir Qadhi was born in Houston, Texas and completed his primary and secondary education in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. He graduated with a B.Sc. in Chemical Engineering from the University of Houston, after which he was accepted as a student at the Islamic University of Madinah. After completing a diploma in Arabic, he graduated with a B.A. from the College of Hadith and Islamic Sciences. Thereafter, he completed a M.A. in Islamic Theology from the College of Dawah.
His published works include Riya’a: The Hidden Shirk, Du’aa: The Weapon of the Believer, and An Introduction to the Sciences of the Qur’an.
Yasir Qadhi is currently pursuing his doctorate, in Religious Studies, at Yale University in New Haven, CT
