Hebrews 7 presents Jesus Christ as the eternal High Priest, whose work of intercession is perfect, complete, and irrevocable. In contrast, Islamic theology offers a model of intercession that is conditional, uncertain, and ultimately dependent on the will of Allah.
By Dr. Tim Orr
Throughout history, people have sought intermediaries to represent them before rulers, judges, or even divine beings. In Christianity and Islam, intercession plays a significant role, but the differences in how these two faiths understand it reveal fundamental distinctions in their views on salvation, divine justice, and the nature of God. Hebrews 7 presents Jesus Christ as the eternal High Priest, whose work of intercession is perfect, complete, and irrevocable. In contrast, Islamic theology offers a model of intercession that is conditional, uncertain, and ultimately dependent on the will of Allah. These differences are not merely theological abstractions but have profound implications for how followers of each faith relate to God and understand their standing before Him. Whether one can be certain of divine acceptance and salvation—or whether one must hope for mercy without assurance—lies at the heart of this discussion.
Hebrews 7 establishes Jesus as the superior and final High Priest, surpassing the Levitical priesthood of the Old Testament. The chapter’s argument hinges on the comparison between Jesus and Melchizedek, a mysterious figure in Genesis 14 who was both a priest and a king, unlike the Levitical priests who descended from Aaron. The significance of Melchizedek is that his priesthood is portrayed as timeless, without beginning or end, making him a fitting prototype for Christ’s eternal role as intercessor. The writer of Hebrews insists that Jesus’ priesthood is not based on lineage or temporary appointment but on His indestructible life (Hebrews 7:16).
Unlike human priests, who were mortal and had to continually offer sacrifices for their sins before interceding for others, Jesus is a sinless, permanent intercessor whose single sacrifice was sufficient for all time (Hebrews 7:27). The assurance that He "always lives to make intercession" (Hebrews 7:25) highlights the security of salvation in Christ. His priesthood is unshakable, and His intercession does not depend on an external grant of permission but flows from His inherent authority as the Son of God. Because His priesthood is eternal, those who trust in Him do not have to wonder if their salvation is secure—it is guaranteed.
The Islamic understanding of intercession is markedly different. In Islam, Allah is portrayed as utterly transcendent and sovereign, and no one has an intrinsic right to intercede before Him. The Qur'an repeatedly emphasizes that no soul can intercede on behalf of another unless Allah explicitly allows it:
"Who is it that can intercede with Him except by His permission?" (Qur’an 2:255, Sahih International)
Even Muhammad, whom many Muslims regard as the greatest human intercessor, is subject to Allah’s will regarding his ability to plead for others. According to Islamic tradition, Muhammad will be granted a special role to intercede for believers on the Day of Judgment. Yet, this intercession is not guaranteed for all and does not override the fundamental Islamic principle that each person will be judged based on their deeds.
The uncertainty of intercession in Islam is further reinforced by Muhammad's own words in the Qur'an:
"Say, I am not something original among the messengers, nor do I know what will be done with me or with you." (Qur’an 46:9, Sahih International)
In Sahih Muslim (Book 1, Hadith 378), Muhammad acknowledges that his intercession will be subject to Allah’s ultimate decision, reinforcing that no intercession is automatic or certain. Unlike Christ, whose intercession is permanent and guaranteed, Muhammad’s intercession is possible, depending on Allah’s discretion.
One of the starkest contrasts between Hebrews 7 and Islamic theology is how salvation is achieved. Islam is fundamentally a works-based system, while Christianity is grounded in grace through Christ’s intercession.
In Islam, on Judgment Day, a person’s actions will be weighed:
“And We shall set up the scales of justice for the Day of Judgment, so that not a soul will be dealt with unjustly in anything: even if there be (no more than) the weight of a mustard seed, We will bring it (to account).” (Qur’an 21:47, Yusuf Ali)
While some hadiths mention intercession, Muslims are ultimately judged based on their merit. There is no assurance of salvation—only hope that one’s good deeds will outweigh the bad. This creates an uncertain and anxious relationship with God, where a believer never knows if they will be accepted into paradise.
In contrast, Christianity teaches that salvation is a gift of grace, secured by Christ’s priesthood and intercession. Ephesians 2:8-9 declares:
“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.”
This means that Christians rest in a completed salvation, while Muslims strive for an uncertain one.
Imagine two defendants standing before a judge. The first is a Christian, represented by Jesus as the High Priest, who has already paid the penalty in full. The judge declares, “The price has been paid. You are free.”
The second defendant is a Muslim, standing alone. He hopes the judge will be merciful, but he has no assurance. The judge weighs his deeds, but the outcome remains uncertain until the final moment.
This analogy captures the fundamental difference between Hebrews 7 and Islam: Christianity offers certainty because Christ’s work is finished, while Islam offers uncertainty because salvation is performance-based.
For Christians engaging with Muslims, this contrast is vital. Many Muslims believe in intercession but lack assurance. They live in a religious system where even Muhammad himself was unsure of his salvation.
The message of Hebrews 7 is one of assurance, finality, and grace. Christ, as the eternal High Priest, does not wait for permission to intercede—He lives to make intercession for those who trust in Him. His sacrifice is complete, His priesthood unending, and His advocacy unwavering.
Islam, in contrast, leaves its followers with an unresolved tension—an intercessor who may or may not be granted permission, a salvation dependent on the weighing of deeds, and a final judgment whose outcome remains unknown until it is too late. The question, then, is simple:
Would you rather place your eternity in the hands of a High Priest who guarantees salvation or in a system where even the greatest prophet is uncertain of his fate?
Dr. Tim Orr works full-time at Crescent Project as the assistant director of the internship program and area coordinator and is very active in UK outreach. He is a scholar of Islam, Evangelical minister, conference speaker, and interfaith consultant with over 30 years of experience in cross-cultural ministry. He holds six degrees, including a master’s in Islamic studies from the Islamic College in London. He is a Congregations and Polarization Project research associate at the Center for the Study of Religion and American Culture at Indiana University Indianapolis. His research focuses on American Evangelicalism, Islamic antisemitism, and Islamic feminism. He has spoken at prestigious universities and mosques, including Oxford University, Imperial College London, and the University of Tehran. He has published widely, including articles in Islamic peer-reviewed journals, and has written four books.