M6:167 — او شفیع است این جهان و آن جهان / این جهان زی دین و آنجا زی جنان

Translation: He is the intercessor in this world and that world; In this world (he guides) towards religion, and there (he guides) towards Paradise. Meaning: The Prophet of Islam (PBUH) acts as an intercessor and guide for humanity in both the present and the afterlife: in this world, he leads us to religion, and in the next, he elevates us to high spiritual stations and to paradise.

This couplet unveils one of the most vital aspects of the Holy Prophet Muhammad's (PBUH) existence: his role as an intercessor in both this world and the next. Mawlana, continuing his discourse on the 'heavy seals' (khatm-i garān) and the unlocking of previously unopened truths by the Seal of Prophets, here points to the Prophet's unique and irreplaceable intercessory station.

As I have elucidated before, the word shafīʿ (intercessor) derives from shafʿ (pair, twin), as opposed to watr (single). An intercessor is someone who pairs with another, joining them to help accomplish a task that the individual could not manage alone. This is the fundamental, lexical meaning of shafāʿah, and Mawlana beautifully interprets it across two realms: this world and the next.

In this world, the Prophet's intercession manifests as our guidance and direction. The verse states: 'This world says, 'You show them the way.' This means the Prophet is our intercessor in showing us the path of religion and guiding us toward the straight path. Without his existence, without his teachings and guidance, we would remain engulfed in the darkness of ignorance and straying. This form of intercession is one of enlightenment and orientation; it is taking one by the hand and setting them on the right course.

However, in the next world, the nature of intercession shifts. The verse continues: 'That world says, 'You make them great.' This phrase, 'mah-shān namā', carries two subtle meanings. One meaning, which some scholars also uphold, is to 'exalt them' or 'raise them to high stations.' It is through the Prophet's prayers and intercession that his community attains elevated ranks in Paradise and partakes of divine blessings. Another interpretation could be that the Prophet acts as a moon (māh) guiding us through the darkness of that realm, but the former meaning aligns more harmoniously with Mawlana's words here. In this context, intercession becomes an act of assisting entry into Paradise (janān) and benefiting from divine graces. These two facets of intercession – guidance in worldly life and assistance in the afterlife – provide a complete picture of the Prophet's indispensable role. He is not merely our teacher and guide in this world but also, by divine permission, the guarantor of our salvation and exaltation in the hereafter. It is crucial to note that 'He' (ū) at the beginning of the couplet unequivocally refers to the Seal of Prophets, whom Mawlana previously mentioned in connection with 'heavy seals' and his profound unveilings.

Key takeaways

• Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) is our intercessor and guide in both this world and the hereafter.
• His intercession in this world signifies leading us toward religion and showing us the path of truth.
• In the afterlife, the Prophet's intercession means elevating his community to high stations and guiding them to Paradise.
• The term 'intercessor' (shafīʿ) derives from shafʿ (pair), implying someone who partners with another to assist them.