How many kinds of intercession are there and what is the greatest kind?

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger.

Intercession is an established right granted to the Prophets, Messengers, angels, martyrs and the righteous, regardless of their rank. There are many proofs to indicate this, including the Hadeeth (narration) of the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, where he mentioned that a great number of people, as many as those in one of the two districts of Rabee‘ah and Mudhar, will enter paradise through the intercession of a man who is not a Prophet. [Ahmad] [Shu‘ayb Al-Arnaa’oot: Saheeh]. 

Also, in an authentic Hadeeth (narration), the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, mentioned that a martyr will intercede for 70 of his relatives. [Ahmad At-Tirmithi and Ibn Maajah].

Intercession has many types:

·        The greatest and most important kind of intercession is that of our Prophet Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, for the people who will be waiting for reckoning on the Day of Judgment. This intercession is the praised station which Allaah the Almighty has promised His Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, in the verse that Says (what means): {it is expected that your Lord will resurrect you to a praised station.} [Quran 17:79].

·        Intercession for alleviating the torment of some disbelievers. This is exclusive to the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam.

·        Intercession for those who deserve Hell for their actions but will not enter it because of this intercession.

·        Intercession for raising some people’s rank in Paradise.

Allaah Knows best.