Answer (Al-Jawab bi-Awnil Malikil Wahhab):
First, understand a fundamental point: the Muslim's belief is that the true fulfiller of needs, remover of difficulties, answerer of prayers, and owner of benefit and harm is Allah the Almighty alone. No prophet, saint, or righteous person has independent authority against Allah. The saints (Awliya) are Allah's close and beloved servants; seeking their intercession (tawassul) does not mean regarding them as partners with Allah, but rather asking Allah alone while making the connection and means of His close servants a medium.
For example, someone may pray:
O Allah! By the means of Your beloved Prophet ﷺ, accept my prayer. O Allah! By the means of Your righteous servant, make my difficulty easy.
In this prayer, the request is made to Allah alone. The righteous person is not regarded as an independent fulfiller of needs; rather, Allah is being asked by means of His close servant. Ignoring this fundamental difference and calling every kind of tawassul shirk is not correct.
1️⃣ Proof of Tawassul from the Holy Qur'an
Allah the Almighty says:
«يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا اتَّقُوا اللَّهَ وَابْتَغُوا إِلَيْهِ الْوَسِيلَةَ»
Translation:
O you who believe! Fear Allah and seek the means (wasilah) to approach Him.
(Surah Al-Ma'idah: 35)
In this verse, Allah the Almighty commands the believers to seek a means in His court. The word wasilah means: a means of attaining closeness to Allah the Almighty.
From Hazrat Ibn Abbas (RA) and other commentators, the meaning of wasilah is reported as a means of attaining nearness. Imam Ibn Kathir (rahimahullah) also mentions this meaning in his commentary on this verse and regards obedience and good deeds as a means of nearness to Allah.
One point deserves attention: opponents generally say that in this verse the means refers only to prayer, fasting and good deeds, not making the person of a prophet or saint a means. The reply is that the verse gives a general command about a means; it does not contain words stating that the means is restricted only to deeds and that the means of Allah's close servants is in no case permissible.
It is also correct that this verse alone should not be presented with the claim that it explicitly mentions every kind of personal means. For proof of tawassul through a person, hadiths and the reports of the Companions will also be presented, as mentioned ahead.
2️⃣ The Difference between Tawassul and Isti'anah
Some people present this verse of Surah Al-Baqarah:
«وَاسْتَعِينُوا بِالصَّبْرِ وَالصَّلَاةِ»
Translation:
Seek help through patience and prayer.
(Surah Al-Baqarah: 45)
And they say: when the Qur'an has commanded seeking help through patience and prayer, how can making a righteous person a means be permissible?
The reply is that this verse commands seeking help from Allah through patience and prayer. It does not prove that taking the means of Allah's close servants is prohibited. Isti'anah means seeking help, while tawassul means making supplication in Allah's court through some means. Their meanings differ, although some kind of means may be found in both.
For example, one person prays and seeks Allah's help, and another person supplicates:
O Allah! By the means of Your beloved Prophet ﷺ, accept my prayer.
In both cases, help and acceptance are sought from Allah alone. The verse of Surah Al-Baqarah mentions prayer and patience, but it does not prove the prohibition of other permissible means. Imam Tabari (rahimahullah) also explains in his commentary that the meaning is seeking help through patience and prayer in matters of hardship and obedience.
3️⃣ Qur'anic Proof of Making a Person a Means: The Jews Seeking Victory through the Prophet ﷺ before His Blessed Birth
Allah the Almighty says in Surah Al-Baqarah:
«وَكَانُوا مِنْ قَبْلُ يَسْتَفْتِحُونَ عَلَى الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا»
Translation:
And before this, they used to seek victory over the disbelievers by means of this very Prophet ﷺ.
(Surah Al-Baqarah: 89)
This verse speaks of the Jews who, before the Prophet's ﷺ appointment, used to seek victory and help from Allah against the polytheists through his coming. Imam Tabari (rahimahullah) wrote under this verse that the Jews used to seek Allah's help against the polytheists of Arabia through the Prophet ﷺ. Imam Ibn Kathir (rahimahullah) also explains the same meaning: that they sought help against their enemies through his coming.
Imam Qurtubi (rahimahullah) also mentions this practice of the Jews in his commentary on this verse and narrates from Hazrat Ibn Abbas (RA) that the Jews of Khaybar, when praying against the tribe of Ghatafan, used to say:
«اللهم إنا نسألك بحق النبي الأمي الذي وعدتنا أن تخرجه لنا في آخر الزمان إلا تنصرنا عليهم»
Translation:
O Allah! We ask You by the right of the unlettered Prophet ﷺ whom You promised to send to us in the last era, that You help us against them.
This narration is quoted by Imam Qurtubi in his commentary. In the commentary on the verse, Imam Tabari, Imam Ibn Kathir and Imam Baghawi state that the Jews sought victory and help through the Prophet's ﷺ coming.
The argument from this incident is that the Qur'an did not make this earlier practice of the Jews the reason for their disbelief; rather, when the Prophet ﷺ came to them and they denied him out of envy and obstinacy despite recognizing him, they were condemned.
Therefore, this verse shows that making a person, especially one of Allah's close prophets, a means in supplicating to Allah is not in itself shirk. For the Jews used to pray for victory in Allah's court through the Prophet ﷺ even before his blessed birth, yet the Holy Qur'an did not declare this act shirk; rather, when the Prophet ﷺ came to them and they denied his prophethood despite recognizing him, they were condemned. This does not support the opponents' claim that making a person or prophet a means is shirk in every case.
4️⃣ Hazrat Umar (RA) Making Hazrat Abbas (RA) a Means
This is a very important and authentic hadith on the issue of tawassul. Hazrat Anas (RA) narrates that when drought struck the people, Hazrat Umar ibn al-Khattab (RA) would pray for rain through Hazrat Abbas ibn Abd al-Muttalib (RA) and say:
«اللَّهُمَّ إِنَّا كُنَّا نَتَوَسَّلُ إِلَيْكَ بِنَبِيِّنَا فَتَسْقِينَا، وَإِنَّا نَتَوَسَّلُ إِلَيْكَ بِعَمِّ نَبِيِّنَا فَاسْقِنَا»
Translation:
O Allah! We used to make tawassul to You through our Prophet ﷺ and You would give us rain; now we make tawassul to You through the uncle of our Prophet ﷺ, so give us rain. Hazrat Anas (RA) says that after this, rain would fall upon the people.
Reference: Sahih Bukhari
This hadith clearly shows that Hazrat Umar (RA) made Hazrat Abbas (RA) a means and asked Allah for rain.
The Opponents' Objection to This Hadith and the Reply
Some people say that Hazrat Umar (RA) made not the person of Hazrat Abbas (RA) but his prayer the means, because Hazrat Abbas (RA) was alive at the time and was asked to pray. Even if it is accepted that Hazrat Umar (RA) took his prayer as the means, this hadith is still evidence for the permissibility of tawassul, because Hazrat Umar (RA) himself made him a means, and this was done in the presence of the Companions.
An important question also arises here: Hazrat Umar (RA) was himself the Commander of the Faithful. He could pray to Allah himself. Allah hears the prayer of every person and is not dependent on anyone else to hear a voice. Then why did Hazrat Umar (RA) make Hazrat Abbas (RA) a means?
Did Allah not hear the prayer of Hazrat Umar (RA) but hear that of Hazrat Abbas (RA)? Certainly not! Allah hears both prayers. Allah is the All-Knowing and the All-Hearing of every call. This shows that taking a means does not mean Allah does not hear directly; rather, the servant makes the connection and prayer of one of Allah's close servants a medium in his Lord's court.
However, in the hadith Hazrat Umar (RA) did not state the wisdom behind his act, so nothing should be definitively attributed to his intention that is not in the hadith. Even after accepting the opponents' explanation that the prayer of Hazrat Abbas (RA) was the means, the hadith still proves the permissibility of taking a means.
5️⃣ Teaching the Blind Companion to Pray by Means of the Prophet ﷺ
It is narrated from Hazrat Uthman ibn Hunayf (RA) that a blind man came to the Prophet ﷺ and said: O Messenger of Allah! Pray to Allah to grant me well-being. He ﷺ said: If you wish, I will pray, and if you wish, be patient, which is better for you. He said: Please pray. Then the Prophet ﷺ taught him to perform wudu and to recite this supplication:
«اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ وَأَتَوَجَّهُ إِلَيْكَ بِنَبِيِّكَ مُحَمَّدٍ نَبِيِّ الرَّحْمَةِ، إِنِّي تَوَجَّهْتُ بِكَ إِلَى رَبِّي فِي حَاجَتِي هَذِهِ لِتُقْضَى لِي، اللَّهُمَّ فَشَفِّعْهُ فِيَّ»
Translation:
O Allah! I ask You and turn to You by means of Your Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, the Prophet of mercy. I have turned by you (O Muhammad) to my Lord for this need of mine, that it may be fulfilled for me. O Allah! Accept his intercession for me.
Reference: Jami' at-Tirmidhi, Hadith No. 3578; Imam Tirmidhi called it Hasan Sahih Gharib
Note in this hadith that the Prophet ﷺ did not merely tell the blind Companion, “I will pray for you,” but also taught him a supplication in which Allah is asked by means of him ﷺ. The words are very clear: “O Allah! I ask You.” That is, the request is made to Allah alone, and the Prophet ﷺ is made the means. This hadith establishes that supplicating to Allah by means of the Prophet ﷺ is permissible.
The Opponents' Objection: This Incident Occurred during the Prophet's ﷺ Lifetime
However, this hadith certainly establishes the principle that supplicating in Allah's court by means of a prophet is not shirk, because in this supplication the request is made to Allah alone.
Now we must see whether, after the Prophet's ﷺ passing, the Companions (RA) also adopted this method. In this regard there is an important incident of Hazrat Uthman ibn Hunayf (RA).
6️⃣ Requesting Intercession from the Prophets (AS) on the Day of Resurrection
In the Plain of Assembly, when people are in severe distress and a long wait, they will look for someone to intercede for them before Allah so that the reckoning may begin. So people will first go to Hazrat Adam (AS) and say: O Adam! Intercede for us before your Lord. Hazrat Adam (AS) will excuse himself and send them to other prophets. Then people will go to Hazrat Nuh, Hazrat Ibrahim, Hazrat Musa and Hazrat Isa (AS), but each will present his excuse. Finally, all will come to our beloved Prophet Hazrat Muhammad Mustafa ﷺ and say: O Muhammad ﷺ! Intercede for us before your Lord. So he ﷺ will prostrate before Allah, then, upon receiving permission from Allah, will intercede, and as a result of his ﷺ intercession, judgment among people will begin.
The blessed hadith:
«فَيَأْتُونَ آدَمَ فَيَقُولُونَ: يَا آدَمُ، أَنْتَ أَبُو الْبَشَرِ، اشْفَعْ لَنَا إِلَى رَبِّكَ»
Translation:
They will come to Adam (AS) and say: O Adam! You are the father of mankind; intercede for us before your Lord.
(Sahih Bukhari, Sahih Muslim)
This hadith shows that requesting intercession from Allah's close servants is not in itself shirk. Consider: on the Day of Resurrection, when people are in severe distress, why will they go first to Adam (AS) and then to other prophets instead of presenting their distress directly to Allah? Why will they ask these chosen personalities to intercede with their Lord? This shows that requesting intercession from Allah's close servants is permissible and cannot in itself be called shirk. However, let it be clear that intercession will not be by any prophet's or saint's own independent power, but only by Allah's leave and permission.
7️⃣ The Action of Hazrat Uthman ibn Hunayf (RA) after the Prophet's ﷺ Passing
An incident is reported from Hazrat Uthman ibn Hunayf (RA): a man kept going to Hazrat Uthman ibn Affan (RA) for his need, but it was not fulfilled. He complained about this to Hazrat Uthman ibn Hunayf (RA), who taught him to perform wudu, pray two rakahs in the mosque, and make this supplication:
«اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ وَأَتَوَجَّهُ إِلَيْكَ بِنَبِيِّنَا مُحَمَّدٍ نَبِيِّ الرَّحْمَةِ، يَا مُحَمَّدُ إِنِّي أَتَوَجَّهُ بِكَ إِلَى رَبِّي فَتَقْضِي لِي حَاجَتِي»
Translation:
O Allah! I ask You and turn to You by means of our Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, the Prophet of mercy. O Muhammad ﷺ! I turn by you to my Lord so that my need may be fulfilled.
The man did so and went to Hazrat Uthman ibn Affan (RA), and his need was fulfilled. When he returned, Hazrat Uthman ibn Hunayf (RA) told him that he had not spoken to Hazrat Uthman ibn Affan (RA) on his behalf, but had taught him the same supplication he had learned from the Messenger of Allah ﷺ in the incident of the blind Companion.
This narration is reported by Imam Tabarani in Al-Mu'jam as-Saghir, Hadith No. 508, and Imam al-Hakim also narrated it in Al-Mustadrak. Imam al-Hakim declared it sahih. This incident is especially noteworthy because Hazrat Uthman ibn Hunayf (RA) taught another person the method of supplicating by means of the Prophet ﷺ even after his passing.
The Opponents' Objection and the Reply
Some opponents accept the hadith of the blind Companion but say it happened in the Prophet's ﷺ lifetime, so it does not prove tawassul after his passing. In reply to this objection, this act of Hazrat Uthman ibn Hunayf (RA) is presented. Even after the Prophet's ﷺ passing, he taught the same supplication in which Allah is asked by means of him ﷺ. It should also be remembered that this narration shows the practice and understanding of Hazrat Uthman ibn Hunayf (RA).
8️⃣ The Prophet's ﷺ Supplication for Hazrat Fatimah bint Asad (RA)
Hazrat Fatimah bint Asad (RA) was the mother of Hazrat Ali (RA). A supplication of the Prophet ﷺ at the time of her death is narrated, which contains these words:
«اللَّهُ الَّذِي يُحْيِي وَيُمِيتُ وَهُوَ حَيٌّ لَا يَمُوتُ، اغْفِرْ لِأُمِّي فَاطِمَةَ بِنْتِ أَسَدٍ، وَلَقِّنْهَا حُجَّتَهَا، وَوَسِّعْ عَلَيْهَا مُدْخَلَهَا، بِحَقِّ نَبِيِّكَ وَالْأَنْبِيَاءِ الَّذِينَ مِنْ قَبْلِي، فَإِنَّكَ أَرْحَمُ الرَّاحِمِينَ»
Translation:
O Allah! Who gives life and causes death and is Himself ever-living, forgive my mother Fatimah bint Asad, teach her her plea, and make her entrance (grave) spacious for her, by the right of Your Prophet and the prophets before me, for You are the Most Merciful of those who show mercy.
Reference: Al-Mu'jam al-Kabir by at-Tabarani, 24/351, Hadith 871; Hilyat al-Awliya, 3/121
In this narration, while supplicating to Allah, the Prophet ﷺ presented the right of his own prophethood and of the earlier prophets as a means. This narration is worth mentioning on the topic of tawassul, but there is discussion among hadith scholars about its chain. Its chain contains a narrator named Rawh ibn Salah, and the narration depends on him. Imam Abu Nu'aym called it gharib, while some scholars have also reported authentication of its narrators. Therefore, it is not correct to declare it sahih without disagreement.
Source: Al-Mu'jam al-Awsat
9️⃣ Hazrat Zakariyya (AS) Supplicating at the Place of Hazrat Maryam (AS)
The Holy Qur'an narrates the story of Maryam (AS): whenever Zakariyya (AS) went to her in the prayer chamber, he would find out-of-season fruits and extraordinary provision with her. Allah the Almighty says:
«كُلَّمَا دَخَلَ عَلَيْهَا زَكَرِيَّا الْمِحْرَابَ وَجَدَ عِنْدَهَا رِزْقًا»
Translation:
Whenever Zakariyya entered upon her in the chamber, he found provision with her.
Then, in the same account, He said:
«هُنَالِكَ دَعَا زَكَرِيَّا رَبَّهُ»
Translation:
There Zakariyya called upon his Lord.
(Surah Aal-e-Imran: 37-38)
After that, Zakariyya (AS) prayed for righteous offspring, and Allah gave him the glad tidings of Yahya (AS). From this incident it is understood that supplicating at a place associated with Allah's special mercies and blessings can be a good act.
A further point worth considering is that the prayer chamber of Maryam (AS) was within the precincts of Masjid al-Aqsa. Even so, Zakariyya (AS), seeing Allah's special blessings and out-of-season fruits with Maryam (AS) in that chamber, supplicated to his Lord right there. Yet neither was waiting for that place necessary for the acceptance of prayer, nor did Zakariyya (AS) need any special place to pray, since he was himself a chosen prophet of Allah and certainly, wherever he prayed, Allah would hear him. Still, he prayed at that blessed place. From this incident, at least this much is known: choosing a blessed place and praying to Allah there is permissible, and doing so is not equivalent to believing in any need on Allah's part or any deficiency in His power and hearing.
🔟 The Incident of Imam Shafi'i (rahimahullah) at the Tomb of Imam Abu Hanifa (rahimahullah)
In this matter, Imam al-Khatib al-Baghdadi (rahimahullah) narrated an incident in his book Tarikh Baghdad that Imam Shafi'i (rahimahullah) used to visit the tomb of Imam Abu Hanifa (rahimahullah). Whenever he had a need, he would pray two rakahs and then supplicate to Allah for his need near the tomb of Imam Abu Hanifa (rahimahullah).
In the words of this incident, it is stated that Imam Shafi'i (rahimahullah) would come to the tomb of Imam Abu Hanifa (rahimahullah) and ask Allah for his need. (Maktabat Ahl al-Bayt)
1️⃣1️⃣ The Ruling on Visiting Shrines and Praying There
Visiting the shrines of the saints, conveying reward (isal-e-thawab) to them, reciting the Holy Qur'an, praying for their forgiveness, and praying to Allah for one's own needs are separate acts; their rulings should not all be included under a single ruling. Regarding visiting graveyards, the Prophet ﷺ said:
«كُنْتُ نَهَيْتُكُمْ عَنْ زِيَارَةِ الْقُبُورِ، فَزُورُوهَا»
Translation:
I had forbidden you from visiting graves; now visit them.
Sahih Muslim
This hadith establishes the permissibility of visiting graves. Such visits refresh the remembrance of the Hereafter and a person remembers death. Therefore, at the tomb of a friend of Allah (Wali):
• Greeting the occupant and praying for him.
• Reciting the Holy Qur'an and conveying its reward.
• Praying to Allah for the solution of one's needs and difficulties.
• Praying to Allah by means of one of His close servants.
These acts cannot be called shirk or impermissible merely because they are done at the tomb of a righteous person. However, it is necessary to avoid things at a shrine that are against the Shariah: circumambulating the grave, prostrating before the grave, or making a vow in which anyone other than Allah is regarded as independent owner of benefit and harm.
Remember: visiting a grave and asking the occupant of the grave as an act of worship are two different things. The method we have described is that supplication be made to Allah alone.
1️⃣2️⃣ Replies to Some Important Objections of the Opponents
In light of the arguments presented so far, consider a summary of some basic objections of the opponents.
Objection 1: No means is needed to pray to Allah; Allah hears by Himself.
Reply: Indeed, Allah hears every prayer and is not dependent on any means. But taking a means is not because of any need on Allah's part or because He does not hear; rather, the servant prays through the connection of Allah's close servants. Hazrat Umar's (RA) making Hazrat Abbas (RA) a means is a clear example.
Objection 2: Only good deeds can be a means, not a person.
Reply: Verse 35 of Surah Al-Ma'idah gives a general command to seek a means, and the hadiths also contain teaching to supplicate by means of the Prophet ﷺ. In the hadith of the blind Companion, the Prophet ﷺ himself taught this supplication: اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ وَأَتَوَجَّهُ إِلَيْكَ بِنَبِيِّكَ مُحَمَّدٍ Therefore it is not correct to say that in the Shariah only deeds can be a means and that there is no room for taking a prophet or righteous person as a means.
Objection 3: Hazrat Umar (RA) made Hazrat Abbas (RA) a means because he was alive.
Reply: Even accepting this, the act of Hazrat Uthman ibn Hunayf (RA) comes forward, which he did after the Prophet's ﷺ passing. He taught a man the same supplication in which Allah is asked by means of the Prophet ﷺ. Therefore, it is not correct to limit the matter to the lifetime of Hazrat Abbas (RA).
Objection 4: Making a deceased righteous person a means is shirk.
Reply: Making a righteous person a means and regarding him as an independent fulfiller of needs against Allah are not the same thing. If someone prays to Allah alone and says: O Allah! By the means of such-and-such close servant of Yours, accept my prayer, he is asking Allah alone. It is not correct to declare him a polytheist merely for taking a means.
Objection 5: Praying at shrines is grave-worship.
Reply: Grave-worship is worshipping the occupant of the grave or regarding him as equal to Allah. But going to a graveyard and praying to Allah, asking forgiveness for the occupant, or praying to Allah by means of a righteous servant is a different act. To give all these cases a single ruling is not scholarly fairness.
📌 Summary of the Answer:
The Qur'anic verse on wasilah, the commentary on verse 89 of Surah Al-Baqarah, Hazrat Umar's (RA) making Hazrat Abbas (RA) a means, the Prophet's ﷺ teaching the blind Companion to pray by means of him, and Hazrat Uthman ibn Hunayf's (RA) teaching the same supplication after the Prophet's ﷺ passing, are all evidence that supplicating to Allah by means of His close servants is permissible.
Therefore, visiting the shrines of the saints, conveying reward to them, and praying there to Allah alone by their means is not shirk or impermissible merely because the prayer is made at a saint's tomb. The essential condition is that the belief be correct and that every kind of worship and true fulfillment of needs be regarded as exclusive to Allah.
واللہ تعالیٰ اعلم بالصواب
محمد عظمت الله نظامي عفی عنہ