Praise be to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon the Messenger of Allah. To proceed:
In this form, the supplication is directed to Allah alone and not to the righteous person. Therefore, it should be distinguished from supplicating to the dead and asking them to fulfill one’s needs. As for seeking Allah through the mere status, rank, or virtue of righteous people before Him, this is an issue over which scholars have differed. The position adopted by the original fatwa is that it is not prescribed, because supplication is an act of worship, and according to those who hold this view, there is no established evidence making another person’s status or righteousness a prescribed means in supplication.
Supplication Is an Act of Worship Based on Following Revelation
Supplication is one of the greatest acts of worship. Therefore, the basic principle is that a Muslim should supplicate to his Lord in the manner prescribed by Allah and His Messenger ﷺ.
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“Whoever introduces into this matter of ours something that does not belong to it, it will be rejected.”
[Agreed upon]
In another narration in Muslim:
“Whoever does an action that is not in accordance with our matter, it will be rejected.”
Based on this, scholars who prohibit tawassul through status hold that means incorporated into supplication require religious evidence, just as other acts of worship require evidence.
Is Another Person’s Righteousness a Means for Relieving My Distress?
If a person says, “O Allah, by the righteousness of so-and-so and his worship of You, relieve my distress,” the issue—according to this view—is that the righteousness of that person is a deed performed by him, not a deed performed by the one making the supplication.
For this reason, scholars distinguish between seeking Allah through one’s own righteous deeds and seeking Him through the righteousness of another person.
Among the best-known proofs for seeking Allah through righteous deeds is the story of the three men who were trapped in a cave. Each of them sought Allah’s help by mentioning a righteous deed that he had sincerely performed for Allah, until Allah relieved them of their hardship.
They did not say, “O Allah, by the righteousness of our fathers,” or “by the status of one of the righteous.” Rather, each of them mentioned a righteous deed that he himself had performed.
What Did the Companions Do?
During the lifetime of the Prophet ﷺ, the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) would come to him and ask him to supplicate to Allah for them.
When rain was withheld, they would ask him to pray for rain. He would supplicate to Allah, and Allah would send them rain.
After the Prophet ﷺ passed away, when the Muslims suffered from drought, ‘Umar ibn al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him) said:
“O Allah, we used to seek a means to You through our Prophet, and You would give us rain. Now we seek a means to You through our Prophet’s uncle, so give us rain.”
[Reported by al-Bukhari]
‘Umar then asked al-‘Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) to supplicate to Allah for the Muslims.
Those who prohibit tawassul through status understand this as evidence that the Companions’ tawassul through the Prophet ﷺ was through his supplication during his lifetime. Therefore, after his death, they asked al-‘Abbas, who was alive, to supplicate for them.
Why Did ‘Umar Not Seek Allah Through the Prophet’s ﷺ Status?
Those who prohibit this form of tawassul also cite this incident as evidence that what was intended was not merely status or rank.
The Prophet’s ﷺ rank before Allah is undoubtedly greater than that of al-‘Abbas, and this rank did not cease with his death.
If mere status had been the intended means, there would have been no need to turn to al-‘Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him).
However, if the intended means was the supplication of a righteous person, the matter becomes clear: the Prophet ﷺ supplicated for them during his lifetime, and after his death they asked al-‘Abbas to supplicate for them.
What Forms of Tawassul Are Prescribed?
There are forms of tawassul whose legitimacy is clearly established, including:
Seeking Allah through His Names and Attributes, such as saying: “O Most Merciful, have mercy on me,” or: “O Allah, through Your mercy I seek help.”
Allah says:
“And to Allah belong the Most Beautiful Names, so call upon Him by them.”
[Al-A‘raf 7:180]
Likewise, seeking Allah through faith and righteous deeds is prescribed, such as asking Allah through one’s faith, repentance, sincerity, and obedience.
It is also prescribed to ask a living Muslim to make du‘a, just as the Companions asked the Prophet ﷺ to supplicate for them during his lifetime.
Is Tawassul Through the Status of a Righteous Person Shirk?
It is important to clarify this point so that different issues are not confused.
Someone who says, “O Allah, by the status of so-and-so before You, forgive me,” is supplicating to Allah, not to that person. Therefore, this statement by itself should not be equated with supplicating to someone other than Allah.
Rather, those who prohibit it consider it an unprescribed means in supplication, because they do not believe there is sufficient evidence establishing it.
This differs from directly supplicating to a deceased person and asking him for something that only Allah can provide. That is a separate matter with a different ruling.
Conclusion
Seeking Allah through the status, righteousness, or rank of righteous people before Him is an issue over which scholars have differed. The position adopted by the original fatwa is that it is not prescribed, because supplication is an act of worship and, according to this view, there is no established evidence that another person’s status or righteousness is a prescribed means in supplication.
It is better for a Muslim to supplicate to Allah using the established means: His Names and Attributes, one’s own faith and righteous deeds, and, if desired, asking a living righteous Muslim to make du‘a.
As for answering supplications, relieving distress, bringing benefit, and preventing harm, all of that is in the hands of Allah alone.
And Allah knows best.