Question: Why should the Prophetic Pool and intercession not be treated as identical?
Answer: The Prophetic Pool is a particular favor in the Hereafter associated with the Messenger ﷺ and his community. Intercession is pleading for someone by Allah’s permission. Both concern the unseen but differ in meaning.
وَالشَّفَاعَةُ الَّتِي ادَّخَرَهَا لَهُمْ حَقٌّ
The intercession reserved for them is true.
Follow-up: Can intercession operate independently of Allah’s judgment?
Clarification: No. Its acceptance and effect are subject to Allah’s permission and judgment; it is not an autonomous power.