Ask a Shia

[Karbala]

:bismillah: :assalam:

Becuse Prophet Muhammad pbuh forbade us to do so, if there was any kind of Tawassul commanded in Islam, then we should have call upon Muhammad pbuh instead of Fatima, Ali, or any other righteous companion (may Allah be pleased with all of them). In fact the Prophet told us not to make out of his grave a place of worship or celebration, that we should only send prayers and blessings upon him. That’s it, but if we need to ask for help, we ask of Allah alone, otherwise you will be falling into the trap of Shirk. may Allah keep us always on His straight path. I advise you to read more about Tawheed to understand clearly what am talking about.

Please show me as to where the Prophet Mohammad (saw) forbade us from Tawassul.


I am surprised you associate Tawassul with Shirk. It is mentioned very clearly in the Quran.


A quick question. Is it Haram to ask a Muttaqi person or Shaikh or someone you love to pray for you? Is this Shirk? Tawassul is similar to this.


Tawassul comes from the Arabic وسل which according to the Hans Wehr Dictionary means to initiate, seek to gain access, beseech, entreat, use as a means.


Shafa'a شفاعة similarly is defined in the Hans Wehr Dictionary as intercession, to mediate, put in a good word, intervene.


It is a concept certainly mentioned in the Quran.


<b>يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ اتَّقُواْ اللّهَ وَابْتَغُواْ إِلَيهِ <span style="font-size:24pt;line-height:100%;">الْوَسِيلَةَ وَجَاهِدُواْ فِي سَبِيلِهِ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُفْلِحُونَ </span></b>


<b>5:35 O ye who believe! Do your duty to Allah, seek the means of approach unto Him, and strive with might and main in his cause: that ye may prosper. </b>


<b>ذَا الَّذِي <span style="font-size:24pt;line-height:100%;">يَشْفَعُ عِنْدَهُ إِلاَّ بِإِذْنِهِ </span> </b>


<b>2:255 Who is there can intercede in His presence except as He permitteth?</b>


<b>يَوْمَئِذٍ لَّا تَنفَعُ <span style="font-size:24pt;line-height:100%;">الشَّفَاعَةُ إِلَّا مَنْ أَذِنَ لَهُ الرَّحْمَنُ وَرَضِيَ لَهُ قَوْلًا</span></b>


<b>20:109 On that Day shall no intercession avail except for those for whom permission has been granted by ((Allah)) Most Gracious and whose word is acceptable to Him.</b>


<b>وَكَم مِّن مَّلَكٍ فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ لَا تُغْنِي<span style="font-size:24pt;line-height:100%;"> شَفَاعَتُهُمْ شَيْئًا إِلَّا مِن بَعْدِ أَن يَأْذَنَ اللَّهُ لِمَن يَشَاء وَيَرْضَى</span></b>


53:26 How many-so-ever be the angels in the heavens, their intercession will avail nothing except after Allah has given leave for whom He pleases and that he is acceptable to Him.


<b>يَعْلَمُ مَا بَيْنَ أَيْدِيهِمْ وَمَا خَلْفَهُمْ وَلَا<span style="font-size:24pt;line-height:100%;"> يَشْفَعُونَ إِلَّا لِمَنِ ارْتَضَى وَهُم مِّنْ خَشْيَتِهِ مُشْفِقُونَ </b> </span>


<b>21:28 He knows what is before them, and what is behind them, and they offer no intercession except for those who are acceptable, and they stand in awe and reverence of His (Glory). </b>


<b>وَلَا يَمْلِكُ الَّذِينَ يَدْعُونَ مِن دُونِهِ <span style="font-size:24pt;line-height:100%;">الشَّفَاعَةَ إِلَّا مَن شَهِدَ بِالْحَقِّ وَهُمْ يَعْلَمُونَ </b> </span>


<b>43:86 And those whom they invoke besides Allah have no power of intercession;- only he who bears witness to the Truth, and they know (him)</b>


Tawassul of the Prophet of Mercy (Saw) is mentioned:


<b>4:64 We sent not an apostle, but to be obeyed, in accordance with the will of Allah. If they had only, when they were unjust to themselves, come unto thee and asked Allah's forgiveness, and the Messenger had asked forgiveness for them, they would have found Allah indeed Oft-returning, Most Merciful.</b>


Tawassul of the Prophet Jacob (as)


<b>12:97 They said: "O our father! ask for us forgiveness for our sins, for we were truly at fault."</b>


12:98 He said: "Soon will I ask my Lord for forgiveness for you: for he is indeed Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful


Do you still believe Tawassul or Shafa'a is Shirk?