It literally means coming closer to an objective and to gain proximity to a desired goal.
Islamically, it signifies the act of trying to come closer to Allaah through manners that have been prescribed by the Qur’an and Sunnah. It can also be said to be means ofseeking nearness to Allaah.
It can also be refers to seeking a means of having one’s du’a accepted or increasing the chance of one’s du’a being accepted. ( Qur’an 5: 35, Al maaidah).
The following are the ways prescribed by the Qur’an and Sunnah,as against innovated ways people used nowadays, seeking nearness by the prophet or using his status before Allaah, or their Shaykhs ( their scholars or teachers) who are also human like them or Angels and others that people used for Tawassul, which is not prescribed by the Qur’an and Sunnah, this could amount to shirk if care is not taken.
The prescribed ways are as follows:
1. Tawassul through Allaah’s Names and attributes e.g Ar Rahmaan, Ar Raheem, As salaam, Al Ghafoor e t.c.
2. Tawassul by mentioning Allaah’s favours: Another manner of doing Tawassul is by mentioning the favours of Allaah upon him. This principle is shown in the du’a of Zakariyah(A.S), when he asked Allaah to bless him with a child in Qur’an 19:4.
3. Tawassul by mentioning the be state one is in : Another means of Tawassul is by mentioning to Allaah the dire circumstances that one is in and this can be seen in Prophet Zakariya (A.S) as quoted in Qur’an 19:4 and another example can also be noted by in Prophet Nuh’s prayer when he was rejected by his people as noted in Qur’an 54:10. Also when Prophet Musa (A S) was in the valley of madyan, alone with no supporter or helper, he cried out to Allaah as quoted in Qur’an 28: 24.
4. Tawassul through Good deeds. ( Qur’an 3: 16): This is by mentioning one’s good deeds for the sake of Allaah as in the case of the three men who got struck in a cave, only to be released by each of them mentioning his good deeds done for Allaah’s sake alone.
5. Tawassul through mentioning the effect of the Du’a: This is making Tawassul by attaching the response of the Du’a to a good deeds or benefits.
6. Tawassul by asking a living person to make Du’a: It is allowed to make Tawassul by asking a living person to make Du’a on one’s behalf, if one feels that such a person is a true and righteous person, and it is necessary for you also to be present during the prayer.
Though it is highly recommended that one make for one’s self, because we understand best our condition and there are numerous times of acceptance of Du’a in which Allaah SWT never reject any Du’a being made at this period e.g the last third of the night, period between the adhaan and iqaamah, before the tesleem during solaah e.t.c.
Wallohu ta’ala A’lam.
