The second category of tawassul (seeking nearness to Allah through a means) that is not permissible: seeking nearness to Allah by means of something that is not actually a means, such as seeking nearness through the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) or

The Shaykh : As for the category that is not permissible, it is seeking nearness to Allah by means of something that is not actually a means, such as seeking nearness through the person of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) himself, or through the status of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), because that does not benefit you. The status of the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) and his rank with Allah are things that the Messenger himself benefits from, whereas you have no benefit in them. Likewise, his person is even more so. However, if you say, "I ask You by Your Prophet," meaning "I ask You by my faith in Your Prophet," then this is permissible. But the apparent meaning of the phrase is that it falls under the category that is not permissible. Therefore, we say: correct the expression and say, "O Allah, I ask You by my faith in Your Prophet," or "by my love for Your Prophet," or "by my following of Your Prophet," or the like. It is permissible to say that tawassul (seeking nearness to Allah through a means) through the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) as it is currently practiced is not correct. The Companions experienced a drought during the time of 'Umar ibn al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him), so he went out with them to seek rain. He said: The Companions sought nearness to their Prophet by what? By his supplication. They would come to him and say, "O Messenger of Allah, call upon Allah for us to send us rain." Then 'Abbas ibn 'Abd al-Muttalib would stand up and ask Allah the Exalted for rain, and they would be given rain. This is evidence that the meaning of tawassul (seeking nearness to Allah through a means) through the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) as reported from the Companions is that they sought nearness by what? By his supplication, not by his person. And with this, we arrive at explaining the categories of tawassul (seeking nearness to Allah through a means) and how many of them are permissible. Tomorrow, if Allah wills, we will discuss this.