What is the ruling on asking others for supplication, does it contradict reliance upon Allah, and what is the explanation of the Prophet's (peace and blessings be upon him) request to the Companions to seek forgiveness from Uwais al-Qarani?
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The questioner : In the name of Allah, and may the prayer and peace be upon the Messenger of Allah.
O esteemed Shaykh, is there any weakness in the reliance upon Allah of the person who asks another, whom he sees to be righteous on the surface, to supplicate for him in his absence? And if so, what is your explanation of 'Umar's request to Uwais al-Qarani to supplicate for him, even though 'Umar is better than Uwais?
The Shaykh : For a person to ask another to supplicate for him, even if the only issue with it is that he asked people, and among the pledges of allegiance to the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) with his Companions was:, and "anything" is an indefinite noun in a negative context, which encompasses everything; this is the principle of jurisprudence. So much so that if one of their sticks would fall from their hand while they were on their mount, they would dismount and pick it up, and not say to anyone: "Hand me the stick," because they had pledged to the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) not to ask people for anything. Even if this were the only issue, it would be sufficient.
But perhaps a person has contempt for himself and a bad opinion in his heart, so he asks others. It is said: "My brother, have a good opinion of Allah (Mighty and Majestic), and if you are not worthy of having your supplication accepted, then the supplication of others will not benefit you. So have a good opinion of Allah, and do not make an intermediary between you and Allah who supplicates for you. Supplicate to your Lord yourself. For Allah (Mighty and Majestic) says:[Al-A'raf 7:55] And moreover, your own supplication to Allah is itself an act of worship, so how do you deprive yourself of this?"
And because some people, when they ask a person who appears to be righteous to supplicate for them, may rely on this person's supplication and not perform the prescribed supplication themselves.
Then there is also a third issue, which is that the person asked to supplicate may become arrogant about himself, thinking he is worthy of being asked to supplicate. But Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah (may Allah have mercy on him) said: "If you ask your brother to supplicate for you, intending thereby to benefit him by his kindness to you, or to benefit him if he supplicates for you in his absence, then the angel says: 'Ameen,' and you receive the same reward. So there is no harm in this." This is a good intention. But if you intend only your own benefit, then this is part of the blameworthy matter.
As for what you mentioned regarding 'Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) asking Uwais to supplicate for him, this was by the command of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) and was specific to that man. For this reason, 'Umar or others were not asked to say to Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him): "Supplicate to Allah for us," even though Abu Bakr is better than 'Umar, better than Uwais, and better than the rest of the Companions. But this was specific to this man, whom the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) asked those who met him to tell: "Supplicate to Allah for me." And specific matters do not extend beyond their context. Yes.
O esteemed Shaykh, is there any weakness in the reliance upon Allah of the person who asks another, whom he sees to be righteous on the surface, to supplicate for him in his absence? And if so, what is your explanation of 'Umar's request to Uwais al-Qarani to supplicate for him, even though 'Umar is better than Uwais?
The Shaykh : For a person to ask another to supplicate for him, even if the only issue with it is that he asked people, and among the pledges of allegiance to the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) with his Companions was:
not to ask people for anything
ألاّ يسألوا النّاس شيئاBut perhaps a person has contempt for himself and a bad opinion in his heart, so he asks others. It is said: "My brother, have a good opinion of Allah (Mighty and Majestic), and if you are not worthy of having your supplication accepted, then the supplication of others will not benefit you. So have a good opinion of Allah, and do not make an intermediary between you and Allah who supplicates for you. Supplicate to your Lord yourself. For Allah (Mighty and Majestic) says:
Call upon your Lord in humility and privately
ادْعُوا رَبَّكُمْ تَضَرُّعاً وَخُفْيَةًAnd because some people, when they ask a person who appears to be righteous to supplicate for them, may rely on this person's supplication and not perform the prescribed supplication themselves.
Then there is also a third issue, which is that the person asked to supplicate may become arrogant about himself, thinking he is worthy of being asked to supplicate. But Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah (may Allah have mercy on him) said: "If you ask your brother to supplicate for you, intending thereby to benefit him by his kindness to you, or to benefit him if he supplicates for you in his absence, then the angel says: 'Ameen,' and you receive the same reward. So there is no harm in this." This is a good intention. But if you intend only your own benefit, then this is part of the blameworthy matter.
As for what you mentioned regarding 'Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) asking Uwais to supplicate for him, this was by the command of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) and was specific to that man. For this reason, 'Umar or others were not asked to say to Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him): "Supplicate to Allah for us," even though Abu Bakr is better than 'Umar, better than Uwais, and better than the rest of the Companions. But this was specific to this man, whom the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) asked those who met him to tell: "Supplicate to Allah for me." And specific matters do not extend beyond their context. Yes.