The Ruling on Seeking Nearness to Allah Through the Status of the Prophet and the Graves of the Righteous

Question:
Among the issues that sometimes provoke discussion is tawassul (seeking nearness to Allah through a means), particularly through the status and rank of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) and some of the awliya (close friends of Allah) and righteous dead. Is this permissible or prohibited? Please inform us, may Allah grant you success.

Answer:
Tawassul through status is prohibited according to the majority of scholars; because it is not among the prescribed matters, and nothing indicating its permissibility has come from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) or his Companions. It is therefore a bid'ah (religious innovation), and supplication and means are acts of worship, so it is not permissible to adopt as means anything other than what Allah has prescribed. Thus, tawassul through the status of the Prophet, or the status of so-and-so, or the right of the prophets, or the right of the believers, has no basis. Rather, it is an innovation in supplication. Tawassul is only through the names and attributes of Allah, as He said (Glorified and Exalted is He): : [Al-A'raf: 180].
And in the hadith: , and the hadith of the people of the cave, tawassul through their good deeds: one sought nearness through his kindness to his parents, the second through his chastity from zina (unlawful sexual intercourse), and the third through fulfilling a trust; there is no harm in that. As for tawassul through the status of so-and-so or the right of so-and-so; this is a bid'ah. This is the position of the majority of scholars. It is not shirk (associating partners with Allah), but it is an innovation among the means of shirk.