Most-asked question

Is making du'a through the means of the pious (tawassul) permissible?

25 fatawa in the archive answer questions on this, from 5 South African Darul Iftas (AskImam, Jamiat KZN, Mufti Online, Azaadville, Ibn Masood). Below, each Darul Ifta’s answer is quoted word for word from the opening of one of its fatawa.

Based on the fatawa linked below. Please read the sources and double-check with a Darul Ifta for your situation.

Consult a mufti for your situation. Fatawa SA is a read-only archive and issues no rulings of its own.

What the Darul Iftas say

“Tawassul literally means, to make a request or supplicate through some means. It is permissible for one to request Allah Ta’ala to accept one’s Dua through the medium of some deeds, or the rank of certain individuals, as this may be closer to acceptance.”

Ibn Masood — Permissibility Of Tawassul · 17 Jul 2024

“Tawassul (Waseela); whether it is done through the medium of the living, the dead, their beings, their actions, a person’s own actions or someone else’s actions; in all these instances the truth of the matter is that Tawassul in reality is done by drawing the Rahmat (Mercy) of Allah Ta’ala, i.e.”

Azaadville — Tawassul (Waseela) · 15 Dec 2023

“A person can supplicate directly to Allah Ta῾āla without any intermediary and without the intercession of anyone. Allah Ta’ala says: “And when my servants ask you about Me, of course, I am near. I respond to the call of one when”

AskImam — Can we ask Allah directly for our needs or do we need to make intercession through a pious person? · 5 Jun 2022

“Tawassul (using intermediaries in supplication to Allah) through the Prophet (Allah bless him & give him peace), Awliya and righteous believers is permitted, rather recommended according to the four schools of Sunni Islam.”

Jamiat KZN — Tawassul (Supplicating Allah through an intermediary) · 15 Nov 2017

Quotes are the opening words of each answer as published; the full answer, its conditions and references are on the fatwa page. Answers depend on the exact details of each question.

Read the fatawa

  1. Permissibility Of Tawassul Ibn Masood · 17 Jul 2024
  2. Tawassul (Waseela) Azaadville · 15 Dec 2023
  3. Can we ask Allah directly for our needs or do we need to make intercession through a pious person? AskImam · 5 Jun 2022
  4. Tawassul Mufti Online · 21 Dec 2017
  5. Tawassul (Supplicating Allah through an intermediary) Jamiat KZN · 15 Nov 2017
  6. The concept of Wasaila..Intercession and meaning for this duaa AskImam · 25 Sep 2007
  7. Intercession Mufti Online · 25 Jan 2014
  8. Various Forms of Tawassul and Istighatha and their Rulings Jamiat KZN · 27 Mar 2017
  9. Please explain which is the best type of Tawassul. I try to pray the Tahajjud prayer & fast for Allahs sake outside of Ramadhan AskImam · 12 Dec 2001
  10. Obtaining the intercession of Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) Mufti Online · 24 Oct 2013
  11. Asking from the Awliya and Tawassul Jamiat KZN · 8 Dec 2016
  12. Assalamu ‘alaikum Mufti Saheb Information on tawassul and dhikr AskImam · 22 Nov 2001
  13. Making dua through the wasilah of Hazrat Nabi (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) Mufti Online · 18 Jan 2014
  14. What is Waseela and Tawassul? Is it Allowed? Jamiat KZN · 8 Apr 2015
  15. What is your view on the concept of intercession? AskImam · 15 Jul 2001

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