What is the ruling on one who says: “By the right of Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him)” or “By the right of the Qur’an,” intending to seek nearness to Allah?

Question:
May Allah reward you. Your Eminence the Shaykh, the questioner asks: What is the ruling on one who says: “By the right of Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him)” or “By the right of the Qur’an,” intending to seek nearness to Allah the Mighty and Majestic? And what are the correct methods and matters by which one seeks nearness to Allah the Exalted? And may Allah reward you with good.

Answer:
This question regarding “by the right of the Prophet” or “by the right of so-and-so” has not been transmitted. This has not been transmitted. However, the correct path is to say: “O Allah, by my faith in Your Messenger,” seeking nearness to Allah through your faith in the Messenger, or your following of the Messenger, or your love for the Messenger. You seek nearness to Allah through your actions with the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him): in loving him, in obeying him, in following him, and in emulating him. Yes.