Is it permissible to call the Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam Shafi az-Zunub?

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh.

To make tawassul is to have an intermediary in your dua to Allah Ta’ala.

It is permissible to make tawassul. This is understood from the following verse:

{ يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا اتَّقُوا اللَّهَ وَابْتَغُوا إِلَيْهِ الْوَسِيلَةَ وَجَاهِدُوا فِي سَبِيلِهِ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُفْلِحُونَ} [المائدة: 35]

“O you who believe fear Allah and seek a way of nearness to Him and strive in His way so that you may successful”( Surah Al-Ma’idah : 35)

Rasulullah Salallahu Alaihi wa Salam informed a blind man to make dua saying:

I ask You (Allah) and turn towards You (Allah) through Muhammad Salallahu Alaihi wa Salam who is your Nabi of Mercy.[1]

It is narrated that whenever there was a drought Hadrat Umar Radiallahu Anhu used to seek rain through the medium of Hadrat Abbaas Radiallahu Anhu. He used to beseech Allah Ta’ala saying that we used to seek rain through your Nabi Salallahu Alaihi wa Salam while he was alive now we are asking you through, Hadrat Abbaas Radiallahu Anhu, the uncle of Nabi Salallahu Alaihi wa Salam. [2]

It is permissible to call Rasulullah Salallahu Alaihi wa Salam الذنوب شفيع “shafi az-zunub.”

The word شفيع means intercessor, mediator. The word    الذنوب means misdeed, sin. Hence الذنوب شفيع means intercessor for one’s sins. Rasulullah Salallahu Alaihi wa Salam had requested from Allah Subhana wa Ta’ala the right to intercede on behalf of his Ummat.

Based on the above premise it is permissible to make tawassul and ask Allah through the medium of Rasulullah Salallahu Alaihi wa Salam or a pious person. However, it is Shirk to make dua to a prophet or pious person. Allah alone fulfills our needs. No human being can do anything if Allah does not will it to happen

And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best

Saeed Ahmed Golaub

Jamaica

Student Darul Iftaa

Checked and Approved

Mufti Ebrahim Desai

daruliftaa.net