Is it established that the Companions sought intercession from the Prophet (peace be upon him) during his lifetime?

A number of the Companions, may Allah be pleased with them, asked the Prophet, peace be upon him, for intercession. Authentic hadiths have been reported regarding this, including the hadith (definition) of the servant who asked the Prophet, peace be upon him, for intercession on the Day of Resurrection, to which he replied: "(If not,) then help me by prostrating much." And the hadith of Awf ibn Malik al-Ashja'i, Mu'adh ibn Jabal, and Abdullah ibn Qays, may Allah be pleased with them, when the Prophet, peace be upon him, was given the choice between half of his Ummah entering Paradise and intercession, he chose intercession. They asked him to make them among those who would receive it, and he said: "Then you are among those who will receive my intercession."

The purpose of their asking for intercession was that he should pray to Allah for them to attain his intercession, and for Allah to permit him to intercede for them. In one narration, they said: "O Messenger of Allah, pray to Allah to make us among those who will receive intercession." He said: "O Allah, make them among those who will receive it." This is because all intercession belongs to Allah, and no one intercedes except with His permission, as stated in His saying: "Say, 'To Allah belongs [all] intercession entirely.'" And His saying: "Who is it that can intercede with Him except with His permission?" And the saying of the Prophet, peace be upon him: "Then you are among those who will receive my intercession" is a declaration from the Prophet by way of divine revelation.