Seeking Nearness to Allah Through the Supplication of al-Abbas in the Prayer for Rain

Question:
The questioner says: Shaykh, the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) sought rain through his uncle al-Abbas. What is the permissible form of seeking nearness to Allah through a means (tawassul)? And what is the forbidden form?

Answer:
The Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) did not seek rain through his uncle al-Abbas. Rather, this was 'Umar ibn al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him) during his caliphate. He asked al-Abbas, the uncle of the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him), to supplicate to Allah for rain for the Muslims. 'Umar said: "O Allah, we used to seek rain through Your Prophet, and You gave us rain. And we seek rain through the uncle of Your Prophet, so give us rain. Rise, O al-Abbas, and supplicate to Allah." So he supplicated to Allah. This means he supplicated to Allah for them for rain, i.e., we seek rain through his supplication. Yes.