Is it permissible, to use great personalities as a wasila (intermediary, means) and to say “for the sake of them” while praying? I sometimes pray by saying, “O Allah! For the sake of adhans, for the sake of the Prophet, the Quran and Islam...”

Dear Brother / Sister,

It is permissible to use great personalities as a wasila while praying. To use prophets and the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) in particular will facilitate the acceptance of the prayer. As a matter of fact, the following is stated in a verse and this issue is pointed out:

“Allah and His angels send blessings on the Prophet: O ye that believe! Send ye blessings on him, and salute him with all respect.” (1)  

In addition, in a hadith narrated by Anas, the following is stated by attracting attention to sending blessings:

“Allah sends ten blessings to whoever sends me one blessings, and forgives his ten sins and raises his rank ten degrees.” (2)  

Therefore, it is permissible to ask something from Allah by using prophets, great personalities with virtues, sahabas (the Companions), walis as wasila for the sake of them.

However, it is not permissible, as some people do today, to light candles, to fasten wires, pieces of cloth and ropes at the tombs.

It is reported that Hazrat Umar went to pray for rain during his caliphate when there was a drought; He took Hazrat Abbas with him and took his hands between his hands and prayed,

“O Allah! This is the hand of the uncle of your Prophet. Send us rain for the sake of this hand.”

Our great personalities have prayed as follows:

“O Allah! Have mercy on us, forgive us and meet my need for the sake of the people you love and the people who love you.”

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(1) al-Ahzab, 33/56.
(2) Nasai, Sahw 55, (3, 50)

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