What is the difference between the prohibited supplication to an attribute, such as "O Mercy of Allah," and seeking aid through an attribute, such as "I seek aid in Your mercy"?

Question:
May Allah reward you. Your Eminence the Shaykh, a woman asks and says: What is the difference between the prohibited supplication to an attribute, such as "O Mercy of Allah," and seeking aid through an attribute, such as "I seek aid in Your mercy" or "I return to Your Face," even though supplication, seeking aid, and seeking refuge are all forms of asking?

Answer:
This is tawassul (seeking nearness to Allah through a means), my brother. "I seek refuge in Your mercy," "I seek refuge in Your pleasure from Your anger"—this falls under the category of tawassul by the names and attributes. As for "O Mercy of Allah," this is supplication, not tawassul. The difference between them is that this is supplication and that is tawassul. Tawassul is required, but supplication to other than Allah is not permissible. Yes.