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