Is it permissible to seek nearness to Allah (tawassul) with this formula: O Allah, send blessings upon Muhammad and bestow grace upon our Prophet Muhammad, a blessing that relieves my distress, eases my hardship, and expands my provision...

The questioner : Is it permissible to seek nearness to Allah (tawassul) with this formula: O Allah, send blessings upon Muhammad and bestow grace upon our Prophet Muhammad, a blessing that relieves my distress, eases my hardship, and expands my provision, and so on? We ask for guidance regarding this.

The Shaykh : Before I answer this question, I would like to advise this questioner and other brothers to adhere to the formulas found in the Qur'an and the Sunnah in supplication. This is because supplication is an act of worship through which a person draws near to his Lord, not merely a request by which a person obtains what he wants; rather, it is itself an act of worship. As Allah the Exalted said: Therefore, I advise this questioner and our other Muslim brothers to adhere to the supplications that came in the Book and the Sunnah. Then I say: These formulas mentioned by the questioner are not desirable, and it is not befitting for them to be your means of seeking nearness. Rather, seek nearness to Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He) with His names and attributes that are appropriate to your request. Say: O Forgiver, forgive me; O Merciful, have mercy on me; O Mighty, honor me through Your obedience, and the like, so that you seek nearness through a means that contains no doubt.

The questioner : May Allah bless you.