The concept of tawassul is one of the most important etiquettes of du' aa, and one of the greatest factors that increase the chances of a du'aa being accepted. Since many people have an incorrect understanding of this concept, and because of it fall into shirk or innovation, it is important that this topic be given greater attention. Linguistically, tawassul means to come closer to an objective and to gain proximity to a desired goal. In Islamic terms, it signifies the act of trying to come closer to Allaah through manners that have been prescribed by the Qur'an and Sunnah. In other words, it is a means of seeking nearness to Allaah.
This concept is referred to in the following verse: "O you, who believe! Do your duty to Allaah and seek the means to approach Him (wasilah), and strive hard in His cause so that you may be successful." (Q5{Maidah}:35)
When used in the context of du'aa, tawassul takes on a more specific meaning. It then refers to seeking a means of having one's du'aa accepted, or increasing the chances of one's du'aa being accepted.
There are a number of ways that are prescribed in the Shari'ah for tawassul
Tawassul through Allaah's Names and Attributes
This is one of the most powerful means of tawassul, and has been mentioned many times in previous editions. The Prophet (salallahu alayhi wasallam) heard a man say in his tashahhud:
"O Allaah I ask You by virtue of the fact that all praise belongs to You, none has the right to be worshipped but You, alone, having no partner. The Great Bestower of all blessings,O Originator of the heavens and the earth, O Possessor of Majesty and Honour, O Ever-Living, O Sustainer and Protector of all that exists. Indeed I ask You for Paradise and I seek Your refuge from the Fire".
So the Prophet (salallahu alayhi wa sallam) said to his Companions: "Do you know what he has supplicated with?" They said: “Allaah and His Messenger know best”. He said: "By Him in Whose Hand is my soul! He has supplicated to Allaah by His Great Name (and in a narration: by His Greatest Name), the one that, if He is called upon by it, He responds, and if He is asked by it, He gives." (Abu Dawud)
In another hadith, the Prophet (salallahu alayhi wa sallam), said: "Whoever is greatly troubled and says: "O Allaah' I am Your Slave, son of Your male slave and female slave, My forelock is in Your Hand. Your judgement is continually operative upon me. Your sentence concerning me is just. I ask You by every Name which is Yours with which You named Yourself, (regardless of whether) You have taught it to anyone from Your creation, or sent it down in Your Book, or have kept it to Yourself in the knowledge of the Hidden with You, that You make the Qur'an the spring of my heart, 'the light of my chest, the removal of my sadness and of my anxiety!" then Allaah will remove anxiety and sorrow, and replace it with joy," (Ahmad).
An example of tawassul through Allaah's Attributes is in the hadith in which the Prophet (salallahu alayhi wa sal/am) prayed with the following du'aa:
"O AIlaah! (I ask you) by Your knowledge of the unseen, and Your power to create, that You cause me to live as long as living is better for me, and that You cause me to die when You know that death is better for me." (Bukhari).
So in this du'aa, tawassul was sought through the Attributes of Knowledge and Power.
…to be continued
This article was culled from the publications of Deen Communication Limited