فَمَا تَنفَعُهُمْ شَفَـٰعَةُ ٱلشَّـٰفِعِينَ 48
Translations
So there will not benefit them the intercession of [any] intercessors.
Transliteration
Fama tanfa'uhum shafa'atu ash-shafi'een
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah states that the intercession of intercessors will not benefit those who reject faith and turn away from Allah's signs on the Day of Judgment. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi interpret this in the context of Surah Al-Muddaththir's description of Hell and those who will enter it—specifically, those who rejected the Qur'an and the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) will find no refuge in intercession, as Allah has sealed their hearts and denied them guidance. The ayah emphasizes that no one's intervention, however powerful, can save those whom Allah has condemned for their willful disbelief and arrogance.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the latter part of Surah Al-Muddaththir, which was revealed early in the Meccan period and addresses the denial of the disbelievers of Mecca. The surah focuses on the fate of those who mocked the Prophet and rejected the divine message, depicting scenes from the Day of Judgment to warn them of the consequences of their disbelief.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said regarding intercession: 'My intercession is for the people of my ummah who have committed major sins' (Tirmidhi). Another related hadith: 'No one's intercession will benefit those whom Allah has promised the Fire' (related to the broader theme in Islamic sources).
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers that salvation depends fundamentally on one's own faith and righteous deeds in this life—no external intercession can override Allah's justice for those who willfully reject truth. It should motivate us to embrace faith sincerely and avoid arrogance, knowing that only our sincere submission to Allah and good actions can secure His favor.
Related Ayahs
وَيَوْمَ يَحْشُرُهُمْ كَأَن لَّمْ يَلْبَثُوٓا۟ إِلَّا سَاعَةً مِّنَ ٱلنَّهَارِ يَتَعَارَفُونَ بَيْنَهُمْ ۚ قَدْ خَسِرَ ٱلَّذِينَ كَذَّبُوا۟ بِلِقَآءِ ٱللَّهِ وَمَا كَانُوا۟ مُهْتَدِينَ
And on the Day when He will gather them, [it will be] as if they had not remained [in the world] but an hour of the day, [and] they will know each other. Those will have lost who denied the meeting with Allāh and were not guided.
قَالَ لَا تَخْتَصِمُوا۟ لَدَىَّ وَقَدْ قَدَّمْتُ إِلَيْكُم بِٱلْوَعِيدِ
[Allāh] will say, "Do not dispute before Me, while I had already presented to you the threat [i.e., warning].
ٱلْيَوْمَ نَخْتِمُ عَلَىٰٓ أَفْوَٰهِهِمْ وَتُكَلِّمُنَآ أَيْدِيهِمْ وَتَشْهَدُ أَرْجُلُهُم بِمَا كَانُوا۟ يَكْسِبُونَ
That Day, We will seal over their mouths, and their hands will speak to Us, and their feet will testify about what they used to earn.
فَوَرَبِّكَ لَنَحْشُرَنَّهُمْ وَٱلشَّيَـٰطِينَ ثُمَّ لَنُحْضِرَنَّهُمْ حَوْلَ جَهَنَّمَ جِثِيًّا
So by your Lord, We will surely gather them and the devils; then We will bring them to be present around Hell upon their knees.