Types of Tawassul

Question:
This questioner is asking you, O Shaykh, about tawassul (seeking nearness to Allah through a means) and its types, specifically regarding seeking the supplication of the righteous?

Answer:
Tawassul is of two types: prescribed tawassul and prohibited tawassul. Prescribed tawassul is seeking nearness to Allah through His names and attributes, through righteous deeds, and by asking living people who are present to make du'a' (supplication) for you. All of this is permissible. Prohibited tawassul is seeking nearness through the status, right, person, or righteousness of a created being. This tawassul is prohibited. If it is accompanied by directing any part of worship to the one through whom one seeks nearness, it is major shirk (associating partners with Allah), just as the people of the pre-Islamic age of ignorance did (and they worship besides Allah that which neither harms them nor benefits them, and they say, "These are our intercessors with Allah"), and just as most grave-worshippers do, who draw near to the dead with various types of worship and say that they intercede for them with Allah. This is major shirk. Yes.