Ruling on Tawassul

Q: What is the ruling on tawassul (seeking a means) in duʿāʾ?

A: Tawassul in duʿāʾ through a righteous person is permissible, and some scholars of the Hanbali school held that it is recommended. Imām Aḥmad stated in his Manāsik, which he wrote to al-Marrūdhī, that he himself performs tawassul through the Prophet ﷺ in his supplications.

Accordingly, when one calls upon Allah ﷻ, it is valid to say:

“O Allah, I ask You by Your Prophet Muḥammad ﷺ,” intending thereby to seek Allah’s response through the honor, faith, and status that He has granted to His Prophet ﷺ or through one of His righteous servants.

This form of tawassul is understood as an act of devotion directed to Allah alone while invoking a means beloved to Him—a permissible and sound practice in the Hanbali school.

Source: Kashshāf al-Qināʿ, al-Insāf, al-Furūʿ, Ḥāshiyat Ibn Qāʿid al-Najdī