A section of Muslims like to portray themselves as true Muslims and the sole flag bearers of Tauheed. One of their vague interpretations of Tauheed is rejection of all mediums (waseelah). They brand Muslims who take the help of waseelah as Mushrik. They maintain that help must only be sought from Allah as the waseelah are themselves helpless and ordinary creatures like ourselves. They claim that seeking help of waseelah is akin to making partners for Allah and therefore prohibited in Islam.
As proof they advance their regular list of Quranic verses that condemn shirk viz.
- ‘And who is in greater error than he who calls besides Allah upon those that will not answer him till the day of resurrection and they are heedless of their call?’ (Surah Ahqaaf (46): Verse 5)
- ‘Say: I do not control any benefit or harm for my own soul except as Allah pleases…’ (Surah Aaraaf (7): Verse 188)
- Surely those whom you call on besides Allah are in a state of subjugation like yourselves. (Surah Aaraaf (7): Verse 194)
- And those whom you call upon besides Him are not able to help you, nor can they help themselves. (Surah Aaraaf (7): Verse 197)
- And those whom you call upon besides Him do not control a straw. (Surah Faatir (35):Verse 13)
They mischievously conclude from such verses that seeking through waseelah is not permitted in Islam as it amounts to Shirk.
Reply
The word توسل is usually used in the context of taking Prophets (a.s.), Imams (a.s.) and the righteous servants of Allah as a medium to gain proximity to Allah. As with all beliefs, its permissibility stands to scrutiny from several aspects:
1. Holy Quran
2. Sunnah
3. History
4. Intention
We will put to test the belief in Tawassul from all four aspects to establish that Tawassul, if done correctly, is in fact Real Tauheed and those who deny Tawassul are in fact Mushrik.