A summary of the concepts held by the Ahl al-Sunnah.
Seeking a means of approach (tawassul).
The means of approach commanded in the words of Allah, the Almighty and Majestic.
“O ye who believe! Be mindful of your duty to Allah, and seek the way of approach unto Him, and strive in His way in order that ye may succeed.” (5:35)
“O ye who believe! Be mindful of your duty to Allah, and seek the way of approach unto Him, and strive in His way in order that ye may succeed.” (5:35)
It is that which draws one closer to Allah, the Exalted, through prescribed acts of obedience.
Tawassul is of three types.
First: Legitimate tawassul.
This is seeking a means of approach to Allah, the Exalted, through His Most Beautiful Names and Lofty Attributes.
Or through a righteous deed performed by the one seeking the means.
Or through the supplication of a living, righteous person.
Just as 'Umar ibn al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him) requested of al-'Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him), the uncle of the Prophet (peace be upon him).
That he supplicate to Allah on behalf of the Muslims for the descent of rain.
This indicates that it was a tawassul through the supplication of a living person, not through the person himself.
It also shows that 'Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) mentioned that they used to seek a means of approach to Allah for rain during the lifetime of the Prophet (peace be upon him) through his supplication and his prayer for rain.
Yet, when the Prophet (peace be upon him) passed away,
'Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) did not seek a means of approach through the person of the Prophet (peace be upon him).
Rather, he turned to his uncle, al-'Abbas, to supplicate for them.
Second:
Innovated tawassul.
This is seeking a means of approach to Allah, the Almighty and Majestic, through that which has not been prescribed in the Shari'ah.
Such as seeking a means of approach through the persons of the prophets and the righteous, or through their status, their honor, and the like.
Third:
Polytheistic tawassul (shirk).
This is taking the dead and rivals as intermediaries in worship.
Supplicating to them and requesting needs from them.
Seeking their aid, and performing animal sacrifices or vows to them.
And the like.
A summary of the concepts held by the Ahl al-Sunnah.