The Difference Between Seeking Nearness to Allah Through the Status of the Prophet or Through His Person
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Honorable Shaykh! Is there a difference between seeking nearness to Allah through status (jah) and seeking nearness to Allah through the person (dhat)?
There is no difference between a person seeking nearness to Allah through the status of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) or through the person of the Prophet;And that is because seeking nearness (tawassul), my brothers, means: Taking a means that leads you to the intended goal, that is seeking nearness (tawassul), taking a means that leads you to the intended goal. So, does the status of the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) benefit you?Answer: No.
It does not benefit you. What benefits you is faith in the Messenger, love of the Messenger, following the Messenger, and the like. As for his status, it is for him; it does not benefit [you]. Likewise, the person of the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) is not something through which you seek nearness to Allah.Meaning: If you sought nearness to Allah through it, what would be the benefit?If I said: I ask you by the Prophet. This does not hold up, and this is not a means.
And know that if you seek nearness to Allah through something that is not a means, then this is a religious innovation (bid'ah) and a type of associating partners with Allah (shirk); but it is minor shirk. However, if you take a means that benefits you and for which you are rewarded by Allah, then yes, that is seeking nearness (tawassul). Have you not seen the statement of Allah the Exalted in the supplication of those of understanding, who say: [Al Imran: 193] Who is the caller who calls to faith? The Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him). He is the head of those who call to faith, and after him are those who succeeded him in his Ummah, and the scholars are the heirs of the prophets. All of them call to faith. [Al Imran: 193] So here, the seeking of nearness to Allah is through faith in Him and in His Messenger.So the caller to faith is: The Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him), who is at the head of those who call to faith. So you seek nearness to Allah through faith in Him, whereas the status of the Messenger brings no benefit to you.
There is no difference between a person seeking nearness to Allah through the status of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) or through the person of the Prophet;And that is because seeking nearness (tawassul), my brothers, means: Taking a means that leads you to the intended goal, that is seeking nearness (tawassul), taking a means that leads you to the intended goal. So, does the status of the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) benefit you?Answer: No.
It does not benefit you. What benefits you is faith in the Messenger, love of the Messenger, following the Messenger, and the like. As for his status, it is for him; it does not benefit [you]. Likewise, the person of the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) is not something through which you seek nearness to Allah.Meaning: If you sought nearness to Allah through it, what would be the benefit?If I said: I ask you by the Prophet. This does not hold up, and this is not a means.
And know that if you seek nearness to Allah through something that is not a means, then this is a religious innovation (bid'ah) and a type of associating partners with Allah (shirk); but it is minor shirk. However, if you take a means that benefits you and for which you are rewarded by Allah, then yes, that is seeking nearness (tawassul). Have you not seen the statement of Allah the Exalted in the supplication of those of understanding, who say: