What is the ruling on seeking nearness to Allah through the status of the Prophet or the status of the righteous?

Question:
What is the ruling on saying, “O Allah, I ask You by so-and-so,” or “O Allah, I ask You for the intercession of Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him)”?

Answer:
As for asking by so-and-so or by the right of so-and-so, this is a religious innovation (bid'ah) according to the majority of scholars. One might say, “O Allah, I ask You for salvation from the Fire by the right of Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him),” or “by the status of Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him),” or “by the Prophet Muhammad (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him),” or “by the status of the prophets,” or “by the right of the prophets,” or “by the right of the righteous,” or “by the right of his father,” or something similar to this. This is a religious innovation (bid'ah) and is not among the lawful means, according to the majority of scholars, because the Messenger did not legislate this for the people. Rather, the lawful means of seeking nearness (tawassul) is seeking nearness to Allah by His names and attributes, as He the Exalted and Majestic is He said: So the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) would seek nearness to Allah by that, saying, “O Allah, I have wronged myself…” He would explain, the truthful one, saying: Seeking nearness to Allah by His names and attributes is a prescribed matter. Likewise, seeking nearness by the oneness of Allah (tawhid): “O Allah, I ask You by my testimony that You are Allah, there is no deity but You. I ask You that You are the One, the Unique. I ask You that You are the Lord of the worlds and the One worthy of worship.” Or by righteous deeds: “O Allah, I ask You by my faith in You, my love for You, and my love for Your Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him).” Or “I ask You by my kindness to my parents and my maintaining of family ties.” Or “by fulfilling a trust.” Or “by my abstention from what Allah has forbidden,” as the one who was forgiven asked. There is no harm in this. Seeking nearness to Allah by the oneness of Allah, by His names, and by righteous deeds, all of this is without blame; indeed, it is a lawful means. However, seeking nearness by the right of so-and-so, the status of so-and-so, or the person of so-and-so is not prescribed. As for what is reported in the hadiths regarding the Companions seeking nearness to Allah by the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), this is seeking nearness by his intercession (shafa'ah) and his supplication. When they were afflicted with drought, they would come to him and say, “O Messenger of Allah, call upon Allah for us,” and they would seek nearness to their Lord through him. He would stand and supplicate to his Lord, raising his hands and asking Allah for relief, and Allah would relieve them. This is seeking nearness by supplication. When the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) passed away, 'Umar sought rain through al-'Abbas and said, “O Allah, we used to seek nearness to You by our Prophet when we were afflicted with drought, and You would give us rain. We mean by the supplication of our Prophet. And now we seek nearness to You by the uncle of our Prophet, so give us rain.” Then he said, “O al-'Abbas, stand up and call upon Allah.” So he stood up. His right or status is not stolen. As for asking for intercession, there is no harm: “O Allah, grant intercession to Your Prophet.” “O Allah, for the sake of the intercession of Your Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him).” “O Allah, grant intercession to my transgressions.” “O Allah, grant intercession to Your angels and the believers.” This is without harm. You call upon Allah, you turn to Allah, and He grants them intercession through him. This is without harm.