01-20-2004, 01:19 PM
On supplicating for your brother in his absence and its acceptance
Supplication (du'aa`) for the absent is better answered than doing supplication for him whilst he is present; this is because it is more sincere and further away from shirk! How can one compare between the one who supplicates for others without being requested, with the one who supplicates Allah upon his request, whilst present?
In Saheeh Muslim, the Messenger said, 'No one supplicates for his brother in his absence, except that Allah appoints an angel every time he supplicates for his brother, the appointed angel says: "Ameen, and for you the like aswell'"
It is permissible to request from your brother to supplicate, because the creation ask from the creation what they are able to do. The creation is able to call upon Allah and ask from him, like asking him for help in what he is able, and in the actions that he is able to help with.
As for what you cannot be done except by Allah, the Most High, then it is not permissible to ask anyone but Him, may He be glorified; the angels, prophets nor other than them [are to be asked]. And it is not permissible to say to other than Allah, 'Forgive me' [for a sin], 'Bring down rain,' 'Grant us victory upon the disbeleiving people' or 'Guide our hearts,' and the like.
[see: Majmoo' al-Fataawaa, vol. 1/329-330]