What is the ruling on seeking nearness to Allah through the supplication of the righteous among the living?

The questioner : In the name of Allah, what is seeking nearness to Allah (tawassul) and the supplication of some righteous people?

The Shaykh : Seeking nearness to Allah through what?

The questioner : What is seeking nearness to Allah, and some people seek nearness to Allah through the supplication of the righteous.

The Shaykh : Seeking nearness to Allah through the supplication of the righteous is permissible. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) used to have people come to him seeking his intercession with Allah the Mighty and Majestic in their supplications. A man once entered on Friday while the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) was delivering the sermon and said: . And when the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) informed his Ummah that seventy thousand of them would enter Paradise without reckoning or punishment, Ikamah ibn Mahsan said: . There are many proofs for this, except that an exception is made if it is feared that this righteous man will become arrogant with himself and be afflicted with arrogance and self-admiration; in that case, he should not be asked to make supplication. Nevertheless, a person should not ask another to make supplication for him, because this is a type of the blameworthy act of asking people. You should make supplication to Allah yourself; do not say, "So-and-so, make supplication to Allah for me." Make supplication to Allah yourself. What is reported about the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) that he said to 'Umar: is not authentic; it is not established from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him).