The Prohibited Tawassul: First - Tawassul through the status of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him)

The Shaykh : As for the prohibited tawassul, it is for a person to seek nearness to Allah through something that Allah has not made a means, such as seeking nearness through the status of the Messenger. Seeking nearness through the status of the Messenger means the rank he has with Allah. We testify and believe that the greatest of creation, the greatest of people in status, is the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him). If Musa (peace be upon him) was honored in the sight of Allah, and if Isa was honored in this world and the Hereafter, then Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) is more deserving of that without a doubt. But what benefit is there to me in his status with Allah? It does not benefit me, because his status with Allah is a rank that Allah Himself granted to the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him). Therefore, it does not benefit me. For this reason, we say that whoever seeks nearness to Allah through the status of the Messenger has likened Allah to His creation. Why? Because one does not seek nearness through status except with created beings. For example, I find that this man has a rank with a certain person, and I say, "I seek nearness to you through the status of so-and-so," or "I ask you by the status of so-and-so" regarding that man. But with Allah (Mighty and Majestic), no, status does not benefit anyone except the one to whom Allah granted it; as for others, it does not benefit them. For this reason, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said, while calling out to his close relatives: Even if the Messenger were honored in the sight of Allah (Mighty and Majestic), he would not be able to save anyone from anything with Allah.