Is it true that a righteous person intercedes for their family members, causing them to be saved from Hellfire because of him, and does this mean that it is permissible to commit evil deeds relying on his intercession? Is this not similar to the saying of the Jews that they are God's chosen people?

Ahlus-Sunnah wal-Jama'ah believe that Allah will accept the intercession of intercessors other than the Prophets on the Day of Resurrection, such as the intercession of martyrs, scholars, and righteous people. They base this on authentic hadiths that confirm it, such as hadiths about people exiting the Fire through the intercession of intercessors, entering Paradise through the intercession of a man from the Ummah, the intercession of a martyr for seventy of his relatives, and believers for their brethren. This is conditioned upon Allah's permission and His satisfaction with those for whom intercession is made.

Despite believing in this intercession, it is not permissible to rely on it to neglect good deeds, because primary salvation is through good deeds. Relying on intercession carries several risks: not knowing when the intercessors will intercede, how long the negligent will remain in the Fire, not being certain who will be among the intercessors, and whether Allah will be pleased for the intercessors to intercede for us, as He Almighty said: (And they do not intercede except for whom He approves, and they are from fear of Him apprehensive) (Al-Anbiya'/28). This instills fear of Allah's punishment and reminds us that the greatest intercession is that of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), who warned his closest kin against delusion and negligence in action, as in the hadith: (O Fatimah, daughter of Muhammad, ask me what you wish from my wealth; I cannot avail you anything against Allah).