Praise be to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon the Messenger of Allah.
This wording combines different forms of tawassul: some are prescribed, some are not established in the Sunnah, and some are elaborate expressions whose proper meaning in supplication is unclear.
Seeking Nearness to Allah Through the Qur’an
It is permissible to ask Allah by means of the Qur’an because the Qur’an is the speech of Allah, and Allah’s speech is one of His attributes. Seeking nearness to Allah through His names and attributes is prescribed.
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“I seek refuge in the might and power of Allah from the evil of what I feel and fear.”
[Reported by Muslim]
It is also authentically established to seek refuge in “the perfect words of Allah.” Therefore, seeking nearness to Allah through His speech and attributes is permissible.
Seeking Nearness Through the Status of the Prophet ﷺ or the Persons of the Righteous
As for saying, “O Allah, I ask You by the status of Muhammad ﷺ,” or “by the right of so-and-so,” or by the person of any prophet, angel, or righteous person, this is not among the prescribed forms of tawassul established in the Sunnah, and a number of scholars have prohibited it.
However, seeking nearness to Allah through one’s faith in the Prophet ﷺ, love for him, and following him is prescribed, because these are righteous deeds performed by the supplicant himself.
Likewise, during the Prophet’s ﷺ lifetime, the Companions would ask him to supplicate to Allah for them. This was tawassul through his supplication, not merely through his person or status.
What About Seeking Nearness Through the Virtues of the Prophets and Companions?
Expressions such as “by the descendants of Nuh,” “by the caliphate of Abu Bakr,” “by the courage of ‘Ali,” or “by the modesty of ‘Uthman” do not have an evident connection to the acceptance of a person’s supplication.
The virtues and merits of the Prophets and Companions are established, but this does not mean that every virtue they possessed may be used as a means in supplication.
One should also avoid excessive rhyming and overly elaborate wording in du‘a. The purpose of supplication is sincere humility before Allah and presence of heart. It is better to use authentic and clear supplications.
What Forms of Tawassul Are Prescribed?
Among the best prescribed forms of tawassul are: calling upon Allah by His names and attributes, seeking nearness to Him through faith and righteous deeds, and asking a living righteous Muslim who is able to supplicate to make du‘a.
Allah Almighty says:
“And to Allah belong the Most Beautiful Names, so call upon Him by them.”
[Al-A‘raf 7:180]
Summary
Seeking nearness to Allah through the Qur’an is permissible because it is the speech of Allah and one of His attributes. As for seeking nearness through the persons, status, or virtues of the Prophets, angels, and righteous people, this is not among the prescribed forms of tawassul established in the Sunnah.
It is better for a Muslim to call upon Allah by His names and attributes, through his faith and righteous deeds, and to adhere to the supplications taught by the Prophet ﷺ while avoiding overly elaborate expressions.
And Allah knows best.