The Question of' Tawsassul' in Du'aa

Q: Imaan-11 : Is it permissible to make du'aa using the Ambiyaa alayhissalaam. Or the Auliyaa as a mediums? Is it permissible to say in one's du'aa, "By the Haqq (right) of such a person" or "By the sacredness of such a person"?

Answer:? It is both permissible and Masnoon to use a medium when making Du?aa by, saying things such as, "O Allaah! Have mercy on my situation through the medium of such-and-such a Nabi or saint". This is a very effective manner of having du'aas accepted. In fact, Tirmidhi and other books of Ahadeeth report that Rasulullaah (S.A.W.) actually taught a Sahabi RADI. to make du'aa in this manner. Rasulullaah (S.A.W.) taught him to make du'aa saying: "O Allaah! I ask You and turn towards You by the medium of Muhammad (S.A.W.) who is Your Nabi of mercy."1

A narration of Mishkoot states that it was the practice of Hadhrat Umar RADI. that whenever there was a drought, he would pray for rain using the medium of Hadhrat Abbaas RADI. He would say, "O Allaah! We used to use the medium of Your Nabi (S.A.W.) to pray to You and You would send us rain. We are now asking You through the medium of the uncle of our Nabi (S.A.W.),so please send rain to us." Rain would then come showering down?2.

Our elders have always favoured such du'aas with mediums. Hadhrat Moulana Ashraf Ali thanwi RAH. writes: "Amongst the people of Tasawwuf, making du'aa through the medium of Allaah's chosen servants is very popular. This is substantiated by the Ahadeeth. A narration in Mishkaat from Hadhrat Umayya RADI. states that on the occasion of the conquest of Makkah, Rasulullaah (S.A.W.) made du'aa using the medium of the Muhaajireen."3

He also writes: "It is quite in order to make du'aa through the medium Allaah's accepted servants, whether they be alive or deceased. The Ahad report the incident of Hadhrat Umar RADI. using the medium of Hadhrat Abbaas RADI. when making du'aa for rain and also reported is the incident of the blind person making du'aa using the medium of Rasulullaah (S.A.W.) There is therefore no doubt about the permissibility of this."4

Sheikhul Islaam Hadhrat Moulana Madani RAH. writes: "Using the medium of Rasulullaah (S.A.W.) (when making du'aa) was not confined to the period when he was alive but can be made even while he is in the realm of Barzakh (in the grave). Reaching the hue Beloved (Allaah) and pleasing Him can be done only through the medium of Rasulullaah (S.A.W.)"

A medium is really Allaah's mercy that He blesses His chosen servants Therefore, when someone makes du'aa through the medium of a saint, it is this special mercy that Allaah blesses them with that is actually regarded as the mediurn (the vehicle to camy the supplication). Using a medium is not permissible when a being other than Allaah (the medium) is regarded as being the one rendering the assistance that is sought. It is wrong to believe that the medium will fulfil the need.

It is correct to use phrases such as "By the intervention of such a person?, "By the sacredness of such a person" or "By the status of such a person". While it is also permissible to say, "By the Haqq (right) of such a person", some scholars disagree, citing the Hadith "The creation cannot be given a Haqq (right) over that of Allaah's right". This argument is however unsound.

Rsulullaah (S.A.W.) has also stated that when leaving his home for salaah' a person's du'aa is accepted when'he says, "O Allaah! I am asking you for the reward of this salaah by the right that all begging from You have."

Hadhrat Shah Abdul Azeez Muhaddith Dehlawi RH. quotes a narration from. Hadhrat Umar RADI. as reported by Tabraani in his Mu'jamus Sagheer, Haakim. Abu Nu'aym and Bayhaqi. The narration from Rasulullaah (S.A.W.) states that when Hadhrat Aadam alayhissalaam. erred, he repented using Rasulullaah (S.A.W.) as a medium. He said, "o Allaah! I beg You by the Haqq of Muhammad (S.A.W.) to forgive me." Allaah then forgave him.?1

Hadhrat Imaam Rabbaani Mujaddid Alfe Thaani RAH. used to make du'aa Saying ?O Allaah! By the Haqq of the Nabi of Faatima RADI. do I ask you to give me death with Imaan. Whether you accept or reject my du'aa, I am satisfed with clinging to the hem of the family of Muhammadur Rasulullaah (S.A.W.) And Allaah knows best what is most correct.

Fatawa Rahimiyyah vol.1

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