Tawassul through the deceased - looking for a clear proof

[sunniboy]

Assalamu alikum,

As you could tell from the title, my question is regarding tawassul through the dead. I know that this is the belief of a large proportion of the muslim umma, especially those with ashari and maturidi beliefs, but there are some points which I need a clarification for:

1- I have not found one proof of tawassul being made in the time of the prophet (pbuh) or by the four caliphates after him. All the proofs which I have seen given were for those who came after them, or from some narration of somebody doing something.

2- Everyone agrees that the prophet (pbuh) was the leader of creations. After his death, the umma faced a lot of hardships such as the redda in the times of Abu Bakr, and the killing at the times of umar and uthman, and the division of the umma at the time of Ali, *however*, during those hard times, none of them made tawassul through the prophet's grave, who was the best man who walked on earth.

3- Acts of shirk like idol worshiping started in the days of prophet Nuh (as) by having pictures of pious people who came before them only to remember them, and slowly this act turned into idol worshiping. Nowadays, a lot could be performing tawassul through the deceased with the firm belief that it is Allah swt who provides, but with time, people especially the ignorant ones, will start taking this practice as an act of worship, as seen nowadays. Nowadays in areas in Egypt, India and Morrocco, graves have turned into gatherings where people gather and shout and cry and dance and all sorts of crazy stuff goes on there. So since this is a possible outcome of this act, then why should it be performed when we could ask Allah swt directly?

I would appreciate answers to those questions.

Jazakum Allahu khairan
Wassalamu alikum

[Usman]

Wa'alaikumus Salaam,

Perhaps this may be of some use to you, (I've not checked the sources myself though)

Tawassul

http://www.livingislam.org/o/twua_e.html

[Usman]

So since this is a possible outcome of this act, then why should it be performed when we could ask Allah swt directly?

I agree.Everyone actually asked Allah Ta'ala Himself in Tawassul, but the thought behind tawassul is, that "O Allah, I love them, because they love you", so accept my Du'a.

Anyway,

This one's checked, but very long, so just visit the site :
(From the scholars of Ask-imam.com)

http://www.beautifulislam.net/duas/t...l_waseelah.htm

Lemme put some excepts for you :

Sayyiduna Uthmaan ibn Hunayf [radhiallaahu anhu] narrates that once a blind person came to Rasulullah [sallallaahu alayhi wasallam] and said, ‘Oh Rasulullah [sallallaahu alayhi wasallam]! Ask Allah to cure me.’ Rasulullah [sallallaahu alayhi wasallam] replied, ‘If you wish I will make Du’aa or else you may be patient and this is better for you.’ The man said, ‘Make Du’aa instead’, Rasulullah [sallallaahu alayhi wasallam] then commanded him to make Wudhu properly and that he recites the following Du’aa, ‘Oh Allah, verily, I ask of you and I turn to you through your prophet, the prophet of mercy, O Muhammad [sallallaahu alayhi wasallam], verily, I have turned to my Lord through you so that my need be fulfilled. Oh Allah, accept his intercession on my behalf.’ (Musnad Ahmad vol.4 pg.138; Sunan Tirmidhi; Sunan ibn Majah; Mustadrak Haakim and others). Imaams Tirmidhi, ibn Khuzaymah and Haakim have classified this Hadith as authentic. The words, ‘I turn to you through your prophet’ clearly proves Tawassul through the position of a person. Rasulullah [sallallaahu alayhi wasallam] also told him that he should make the same supplication whenever he needed to. (al-Raddul Muhkamul Mateen pg.145)

Sayyiduna Uthmaan ibn Hunayf [radhiallaahu anhu] taught this du’aa to someone after the demise of Rasulullah [sallallaahu alayhi wasallam]. That person’s need was also fulfilled.
Abu Umaamah ibn Sahl ibn Hunayf [radhiallaahu anhu] reports that a person requested Sayyiduna Uthmaan ibn Affaan [radhiallaahu anhu] to fulfil his need. Sayyiduna Uthmaan [radhiallaahu anhu] did not attend to him. The person complained to Sayyiduna Uthmaan ibn Hunayf [radhiallaahu anhu] about his plight. Sayyiduna Uthmaan ibn Hunayf [radhiallaahu anhu] told him to make Wudhu, go to the Musjid, offer 2 Rakaats of Salaat and recite the following Du’aa: ‘O Allah, verily I ask you and I turn to you through our prophet, the prophet of mercy (Rasulullah – sallallaahu alayhi wasallam). O Muhammad! Verily, I have turned to our Lord through you so that He may fulfil my need.’

The person then went to Sayyiduna Uthmaan ibn Affaan [radhiallahu anhu] who then [radhiallaahu anhu] immediately fulfilled his need and told him to return whenever he had any need in the future. (al-Mu’jamus sagheer vol.1 pg.184; al-Mu’jamul Kabeer vol.9 pg.17; Dalaailun-nubuwwah of Imaam Bayhaqi vol.6 pg.167-168)

Imaam Tabrani has mentioned that this Hadith is authentic. (al-Mu’jamus sagheer vol.1 pg.184). Allamah Mahmood Zaahid Al- Kawthari has also classified the chains of Baihaqi to be Saheeh (authentic). (Maqaalatul-Kawthari pg.391). For a detailed analysis refer to al-Raddul Muhkamul Mateen of Shaykh Abdullah Siddique al-Ghumarie pgs.141-157; Raf’ul Manaarah of Shaykh Mahmood Sa’eed Mamdooh pgs.125-131.

[IlyasLahoz]

assalamu 'alaikum.
I don't know enough about this topic to hold an opinion except to accept what the scholars say (ie that tawassul is permisssible and even recommended).

That being said, I've heard that the following ayat in the Qur'an explicitly points to asking Allah through the intermediary of the Prophet -Allah bless him and give him peace. Does anyone know if this is so?


"If they had only, when they were wronging themselves, come unto thee and asked Allah’s forgiveness, and the Messenger had asked forgiveness for them, they would have found Allah indeed Oft returning, Most Merciful" (4:64).

[abeer_xyz]

The Koran is a wasila, so is the Prophet for guidance. Here is an example of prayer from the Holy Koran that is related with Koran and the Prophet.

A. 3.53. Our Lord! we believe in what Thou hast revealed, and we follow the Messenger; then write us down among those who bear witness.

Now take notice of the following form of prayer.

B. Our Lord! we believe in what Thou hast revealed, and we follow the Messenger; then with the wasila of the Koran and the Messenger write us down among those who bear witness.

OR

C. Our Lord! With the wasila of the Koran and the Messenger write us down among those who bear witness.

Is there no difference between the two forms of prayer? What is the belief that backs one to add “with the wasila”? What is the meaning of wasila?
------------------

Let me have another example:

God asked us to look for wasila. One is sick. He looked his best for a good doctor, followed his prescription and prays to God for cure in the two following forms.

X. I went to the Doctor, and I followed his prescription; My Lord! Cure me.

Y. My Lord! Cure me with the wasila of the Doctor and the Prescription.

Is there no difference between the two forms of prayer (X and Y)?

[Live for Islam]

Assalamu Alaikum Warahmatullah,

It's usually advisable for non-Scholars to refer to the works of our learned Ulama when it comes to topics like this, rather than trying to tackle it by ourselves, Insha-Allah.

Thus I would recommend reading: Tawassul (Supplicating Allah through an intermediary) - by Mufti Muhammad ibn Adam al-Khawthari (Darul Iftaa, Leicester, UK)

Wassalam.

[haqq]

1- I have not found one proof of tawassul being made in the time of the prophet (pbuh) or by the four caliphates after him. All the proofs which I have seen given were for those who came after them, or from some narration of somebody doing something.

Assalaamualaikum,

Just because you have not found any evidence it doesn't mean that there is no evidence. Yes, there is evidence. You can read it HERE.

Was-salaam,
haqq

[abeer_xyz]

Supplications in the Koran:

Thee do we worship, and Thine aid we seek. Show us the straight way, The way of those on whom Thou hast bestowed Thy Grace, those whose (portion) is not wrath, and who go not astray. (1.5-7)

Our Lord! Accept (this service) from us: For Thou art the All-Hearing, the All-knowing. (2.127)

Our Lord! Give us good in this world and good in the Hereafter, and defend us from the torment of the Fire! (2.201)

Our Lord! Pour out constancy on us and make our steps firm: Help us against those that reject faith. (2.250)

Our Lord! Condemn us not if we forget or fall into error; our Lord! Lay not on us a burden Like that which Thou didst lay on those before us; Our Lord! Lay not on us a burden greater than we have strength to bear. Blot out our sins, and grant us forgiveness. Have mercy on us. Thou art our Protector; Help us against those who stand against faith. (2.286)

Our Lord! Let not our hearts deviate now after Thou hast guided us, but grant us mercy from Thine own Presence; for Thou art the Grantor of bounties without measure. (3.8)

Our Lord! we have indeed believed: forgive us, then, our sins, and save us from the agony of the Fire. (3.16)

Our Lord! we believe in what Thou hast revealed, and we follow the Messenger. then write us down among those who bear witness. (3.53)

Our Lord! Forgive us our sins and anything We may have done that transgressed our duty: Establish our feet firmly, and help us against those that resist Faith. (3.147)

Our Lord! we have heard the call of one calling (Us) to Faith, 'Believe ye in the Lord,' and we have believed. Our Lord! Forgive us our sins, blot out from us our iniquities, and take to Thyself our souls in the company of the righteous. Our Lord! Grant us what Thou didst promise unto us through Thine apostles, and save us from shame on the Day of Judgment: For Thou never breakest Thy promise. (3.193-194)

Our Lord! Rescue us from this town, whose people are oppressors; and raise for us from thee one who will protect; and raise for us from thee one who will help! (4.75)

Our Lord! we believe; write us down among the witnesses. (5.83)

There are many more in the Koran.

Prayers I do in Salat:

Likewise there are many supplications that I was taught to perform in daily paryers, janaza prayers, breaking of fasting etc. that usually begin with “Allahumma”.

Are these supplications not enough for me? What shall be my problem if I carefully stick to these forms of supplications for my other needs?
---------------------------

Waseelah is to supplicate (make dua) to Allah Ta’ala by presenting the auspicious proximity to Allah Ta’ala enjoyed by either A’maal-e-Saalihah (Righteous Deeds) or Pious beings such as the Ambiyaa and Auliya. In simple terms, Waseelah is to make dua as follows: "O Allah! Accept my dua for the sake of Your Nabi…..(or a certain Wali)…..or (a certain good deed).” from http://www.themajlis.net/Sections-article94-p1.html

The meaning of Tawassul is: To ask Allah Almighty through the medium and intercession of another person. For example, one says: “O Allah! I ask forgiveness for my sins through the Wasila (intercession) of the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him & give him peace)”. from http://www.daruliftaa.com/question.a...nID=q-22324795

Is it obligatory for me to follow Ulema when they try to teach me something that do not pass the standard and the spirit of the Holy Koran?

[shunni]

To say: oh Lord for the love of the prophet do this for me... is perfectly fine. It is like saying I maight not be worthy of asking, but since I love the prophet, and you love the prophet please do it for his sake.

shia do it like this : "ya shafi3an 3endal allah, 2shfa3 lana 3indal allah"

[GenN]

Assalmu alaykum,

I'm taking this from one of brother Slaman's posts which i read ages ago, which i think is excellent the way he explained it. Anyway i couldn't be bothered to search for that post again, so i've basically written it in my own words. If i have made a mistake can someone please correct me.

Before we progress on getting the evidences, we need to be able to differentiate between the differnt scenarios and know what they are called.

so :

"To say: oh Lord for the love of the prophet do this for me... is perfectly fine. It is like saying I maight not be worthy of asking, but since I love the prophet, and you love the prophet please do it for his sake."

that is tawasul. no difference o fopinion amongst ahlul sunna, it is fine.

"O prophet of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) (or name of awliay) i ask to to ask Allah for me .....""

Thats istigatha.

2 issues here regarding istigath here.

i. Done through the prophets (peace and blessings be upon them all)
ii. Done through awliya

regarding (i) then this splits into a further 2 issues

a) Done at the grave of the last prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) (i'm NOT talking about other prophets (peace and blessings of Allah be upon them all as i am not sure about them)
b) done from another place/land

regarding (a) no differcence of opinion, it CAN be done as all of ahlul sunnah are agreed he (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him can hear us in his grave)

b) differnce of opinon - perhaps the angels convey it to the prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) at his grave - i dunno this is dodgy ground - better safe than sorry.

regarding ii) then differnce of opion as from the time of sahaba its been a differnce wheter the awliya can hear or not in the grave.


well thats my 2 pence, i hope it made sense. i thought it may be beneficel to understand the differnces and categories so we can look for evidecnes of each point at a time rather than confuse these related issues.

was salaam.