Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said, "Allah will gather all the people on the Day of Resurrection and they will say, 'Let us request someone to intercede for us with our Lord so that He may relieve us from this place of ours.' Then they will go to Adam and say, 'You are the one whom Allah created with His Own Hands, and breathed in you of His soul, and ordered the angels to prostrate to you; so please intercede for us with our Lord.' Adam will reply, 'I am not fit for this undertaking, and will remember his sin, and will say, 'Go to Noah, the first Apostle sent by Allah' They will go to him and he will say, 'I am not fit for this undertaking', and will remember his sin and say, 'Go to Abraham whom Allah took as a Khalil. They will go to him (and request similarly). He will reply, 'I am not fit for this undertaking,' and will remember his sin and say, 'Go to Moses to whom Allah spoke directly.' They will go to Moses and he will say, 'I am not fit for this undertaking,' and will remember his sin and say, 'Go to Jesus.' They will go to him, and he will say, 'I am not fit for this undertaking, go to Muhammad as Allah has forgiven his past and future sins.' They will come to me and I will ask my Lord's permission, and when I see Him, I will fall down in prostration to Him, and He will leave me in that state as long as (He) Allah will, and then I will be addressed. 'Raise up your head (O Muhammad)! Ask, and your request will be granted, and say, and your saying will be listened to; intercede, and your intercession will be accepted.' Then I will raise my head, and I will glorify and praise my Lord with a saying(i.e. invocation) He will teach me, and then I will intercede, Allah will fix a limit for me (i.e., certain type of people for whom I may intercede), and I will take them out of the (Hell) Fire and let them enter Paradise. Then I will come back (to Allah) and fall in prostration, and will do the same for the third and fourth times till no-one remains in the (Hell) Fire except those whom the Qur'an has imprisoned therein." (The sub-narrator, Qatada used to say at that point, "...those upon whom eternity (in Hell) has been imposed.") (See Hadith No. 3, Vol 6).
The Great Intercession (Ash-Shafā'ah al-'Uẓmā)
This profound narration from Sahīh al-Bukhārī (6565) in the Book "To Make the Heart Tender (Ar-Riqāq)" describes the ultimate intercession on Judgment Day. The people's desperation leads them to seek mediation through the noblest prophets, each humbly declining due to awareness of their own imperfections, directing them successively to the next until they reach Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.
Progressive Approach to the Prophets
Adam عليه السلام acknowledges his error in Paradise, demonstrating that even prophets remain conscious of their human fallibility before Allah.
Noah عليه السلام, despite his great patience and dedication, remembers his supplication against his people, showing that prophets maintain humility about their past judgments.
Abraham عليه السلام, the intimate friend (Khalīl) of Allah, recalls his words "And save me and my sons from worshipping idols" showing concern about even potential shortcomings.
Moses عليه السلام, who spoke directly with Allah, remembers striking the Egyptian, illustrating that no rank eliminates consciousness of human error.
Jesus عليه السلام directs them to Muhammad ﷺ, acknowledging the unique status granted to the final messenger.
The Unique Status of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ
The Prophet's ﷺ acceptance of this role stems from Allah's complete forgiveness of his past and future sins—a unique distinction affirming his unparalleled status among creation.
His prostration before Allah demonstrates ultimate submission and awe in the Divine Presence, a posture he maintains by Allah's will, reflecting the profound nature of this encounter.
The Mechanics of Intercession
Allah teaches the Prophet ﷺ specific praises, showing that even in the highest stations, creatures remain dependent on Divine instruction for proper worship.
The limitation set by Allah ("Allah will fix a limit for me") demonstrates that intercession operates within Divine parameters and wisdom, not arbitrary human choice.
The multiple returns for intercession indicate the vast mercy Allah grants through His Prophet's mediation, extracting believers from Hellfire through successive appeals.
Theological Implications
This hadith establishes the reality of intercession (shafā'ah) while clarifying it occurs only by Allah's permission, preserving Divine sovereignty.
The exception of those "whom the Qur'an has imprisoned" refers to stubborn disbelievers who rejected faith despite clear evidence, upon whom eternity in Hell has been decreed by Divine justice.
The narration inspires hope in Allah's mercy while maintaining reverence for His justice, balancing fear and hope in the believer's heart—the essence of making hearts tender (ar-riqāq).