Is intercession exclusively God's, to be sought only from Him, or has God granted it to Prophet Muhammad ﷺ and His righteous saints, making it permissible to seek it from them?

Intercession is mediating for others to bring benefit or repel harm, and it is divided into two types: intercession in the Hereafter and worldly intercession.

First: Intercession in the Hereafter is of two types: 1. Special intercession: This is exclusive to the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, and includes: The Greatest Intercession for all creation for the judgment to be passed on the Plain of Gathering. Intercession for the people of Paradise to enter Paradise. His intercession for his uncle, Abu Talib, to lighten his torment. His intercession for people from his Ummah to enter Paradise without reckoning.

2. General intercession: This is for the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, and for those whom Allah permits from the angels, prophets, and the righteous, and includes: Intercession to bring people out of the Fire. Intercession for people who deserved the Fire so that they do not enter it. Intercession to increase the ranks of the believers in Paradise.

The conditions for intercession in the Hereafter are three: Allah's contentment with the one for whom intercession is made (that he be a monotheist), Allah's permission for the intercessor, and Allah's contentment with the intercessor.

Second: Worldly intercession is of two types: 1. What is within a person's capability: This is permissible under two conditions: that it be for a permissible matter, and that the heart relies on none but Allah. 2. What is not within a person's capability: Such as seeking intercession from the dead or an absent living person, believing in their ability to fulfill the request. This is polytheism (shirk) because it is seeking what only Allah can do, and this is what the early polytheists used to do.

Affirmed intercession is that which is related to Allah's permission and contentment, while negated intercession is that which is sought from other than Allah concerning what only Allah can do.