In the hadith, "O Allah, I ask You by the right of those who ask You and by the right of my walking to You," is this tawassul (seeking nearness to Allah through a means) by righteous deeds?

Question:
He says: Regarding what was reported, "O Allah, I ask You by the right of those who ask You, and by the right of my walking to You," is this tawassul (seeking nearness to Allah through a means) by righteous deeds, or what does it mean?

Answer:
This is a hadith, and there are two answers regarding it. The first answer is that it is a hadith about which there is discussion, because it is narrated by 'Atiyyah al-'Aufi, who is weak. The second point is that, even assuming it is authentic, one does not seek nearness to Allah through a deed, because walking to the mosque is a righteous deed; so he is seeking nearness to Allah through his righteous deed, which is walking to the mosque.