How do we respond to those who say: The fact that 'Umar sought tawassul (seeking nearness to Allah through a means) through al-'Abbas does not preclude seeking tawassul through the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) after his death?

Question:
He says: Honorable Shaykh, may Allah grant you success, how do we respond to those who say that 'Umar’s seeking tawassul through al-'Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them both) does not preclude seeking tawassul through the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) after his death, on the grounds that 'Umar wanted to teach them that seeking tawassul through the lesser is permissible in the presence of the greater?

Answer:
This is the speech of an ignorant and unjust person who wants to mislead the people? This is the speech of an ignorant and unjust person who wants to mislead the people? 'Umar’s statement is clear; there is no twisting of it. Yes, he intended to ask al-'Abbas for supplication. Yes, if seeking supplication from the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) after his death had been permissible, 'Umar would not have turned away from him, because the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) is better than al-'Abbas and closer to being answered than al-'Abbas. So the fact that he turned from the better to the lesser is proof that one does not ask the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) for supplication or anything else after his death. This is the jurisprudence of the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them). As for the jurisprudence of these scoundrels who distort the words from their places to defend their false schools of thought, it is of no account. Yes.