فَمَا لَنَا مِن شَـٰفِعِينَ 100
Translations
So now we have no intercessors
Transliteration
Fa-mā la-nā min shāfi'īn
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah presents the lamentation of the inhabitants of Hell who realize they have no intercessors to plead on their behalf before Allah on the Day of Judgment. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, this reflects the despair of those who rejected Allah's signs and the warnings of His messengers in the worldly life, only to discover in the Hereafter that their false deities and allies cannot help them, nor can anyone intercede for them without Allah's permission. This ayah emphasizes the isolation and helplessness of the disbelievers in the afterlife, contrasting with the believers who will have righteous deeds and the intercession of the Prophet (peace be upon him).
Revelation Context
This ayah appears within the context of Surah Ash-Shu'ara, which is a Meccan surah focusing on the stories of past prophets and the consequences of rejection and disbelief. The surah contains detailed accounts of various prophets warning their peoples, and this particular ayah (verse 100) is part of a passage describing the dialogue between the inhabitants of Hell and those in Paradise, illustrating the eternal consequences of one's choices in this world.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'No one's deeds will enter him into Paradise.' They asked, 'Not even you, O Messenger of Allah?' He replied, 'Not even me, unless Allah covers me with His mercy' (Sahih Bukhari 5673). This hadith relates to the theme of intercession and Allah's ultimate authority on the Day of Judgment.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah serves as a sobering reminder that worldly alliances, wealth, and status cannot protect us on the Day of Judgment—only sincere faith and righteous deeds, combined with Allah's mercy, will avail us. Believers should use this as motivation to strengthen their relationship with Allah and seek His pleasure in this life, knowing that repentance and good actions now are our true intercessors.