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| {{Islam}} | {{Islam}} | ||
| ⚫ | '''Tawassul''' is an Arabic word originated from wa-sa-la- |
||
| ==Interpretations and Ritual== | |||
| '''Tawassul''' is an invocation which is commonly used in ] at ] and some other Islamic observances. It is formed of two rituals; Firstly the persons considered to be mediators (''wasilah'') between the supplicant and Allah are named, Secondly an offering is made for their benefit. The people who perform the ''tawassul'' hold contrasting understandings of what can be attained through it. Tawassul is also adapted for diverse settings, however the elements of the ritual remain the same.<ref name="Julian" /><br />Many Islamic scholars cite the Qur'anic verse | |||
| ⚫ | |||
| as referring to the wasilah or the mediator. | |||
| ⚫ | '''Tawassul''' is an Arabic word originated from wa-sa-la- wasilat ({{lang-ar|وسيلة-وسل}}). The ''wasilah'' is a means by which a person,goal or objective is approached, attained or achieved.<ref name="Julian">{{cite journal |author=Julian, Millie |title=Supplicating,Naming,offering:Tawassul in West Java | journal=Journal of Southeast Asian Studies |volume=39 |issue=1| pages=107–122 |year=2008 |doi =10.1017/S0022463408000052 }}</ref> In another version of the meaning of tawassul in another text: Tawassul is an Arabic word that comes from a verbal noun, wasilah, which according to Ibn Manzur (d. 711/1311) in Lisān al-'Arab means "a station with King, a rank, or act of devotion.<ref name="Yusuf">{{cite book|last=Hamza|first=Yusuf|title=The Prayer of the oppressed|year=2014|publisher=eBooks2go|isbn=9781618130204}}</ref> | ||
| According to Raghib Isfahan and Sayyid Muhammad Husayn Tabataba'i ''al-wasilah'' means reaching a certain goal through desire, inclination and willingness, and wasilah towards ] means observance of His path with knowledge and worship through adherence to the ].<ref name="Shirazi">{{cite book|last=Shirazi|first=Abd al-Karim|title=Tawassul-Seeking a way unto Allah|year=2000|publisher=Ahlul Bayt World Assembly|url=http://www.al-islam.org/message-thaqalayn/vol5-n4-2000/tawassul-seeking-way-unto-allah-dr-abd-al-karim-shirazi}}</ref> <br />However according to ] the wasilah is a thing that is used to obtain closeness and favour of ].<ref name="Julian" /><br />Some of the religious scholars have interpreted ''wasilah'' mentioned in the Quranic verse as faith and good deeds while others have explained the word as the prophets, the righteous and favourites of ].<ref name="Muhammad">{{cite book|last=Tahir-ul-Qadri|first=Muhammad|title=Islamic Concept of Intermediation (Tawassul)|year=2001|publisher=Minhaj-ul-Quran Publication,Lahore| pages=42–44| isbn= 978-9693208825}}</ref> According to them the verse reveals that a person seeking means of approach to ] will have in the first instance a believer and Muttaqeen (a person who fear ]). Thus ''wasilah'' does not amount to associating partners with ] but rather reaffirms oneness of ].<ref name="Muhammad" /> | |||
| In other words, it refers to a position of power due to one's proximity to the king or sovereign.<ref name="Yusuf" /> While the ''tawassul'' or ''tawassulan'' is the use of wasilah for this purpose.<ref name="Julian" /> In religious contexts,the ''tawassul'' is the use of a wasilah to arrive at or obtain favour of ].<ref name="Julian" /> | |||
| We can find various examples of ''tawassul'' in the Books of ].One good example is found in well-known ] of the young men trapped in a cave whose mouth was covered by a stone: Each of them prays to ] by mentioning some acts that he did for God's sake, in hopes that it might cause his prayer to be accepted.<ref name="Yusuf" /> This is a good example of doing ''tawassul'' with one's good action. | |||
| ==Origin== | |||
| The most frequently cited of those verses of the ] in which the word ''wasilah'' appears is: | |||
| ⚫ | ''O you who believe! be careful of (your duty to) ] and seek means (wasilah) of nearness to Him and strive hard in His way that you may be successful'' (Q5:35) | ||
| The meaning of the term ''wasilah'' in the above verse according to Albani is a thing that is used to obtain closeness and favour of ].<ref name="Julian" /> According to some classical commentators, including the great ] exegetes, such as al-Qushayri (d. 465/1074) explain the use of ''al-wasilah'' in this verse to mean avoiding what is prohibited,fulfiling what is enjoined on us, and drawing near to ] through good actions.<ref name="Yusuf" /> Both Raghib Isfahan and Sayyid Muhammad Husayn Tabataba'i opine that ''al-wasilah'' means to reach a certain goal through desire, inclination and willingness, and in fact wasilah towards ] means observance of His path with knowledge and worship through adherence to the ].<ref name="Shirazi">{{cite book|last=Shirazi|first=Abd al-Karim|title=Tawassul-Seeking a way unto Allah|year=2000|publisher=Ahlul Bayt World Assembly|url=http://www.al-islam.org/message-thaqalayn/vol5-n4-2000/tawassul-seeking-way-unto-allah-dr-abd-al-karim-shirazi}}</ref> In another verse of the ] that confirmed legality of tawassul (intercession) states: | |||
| {{blockquote|We sent not the Messenger, but to be obeyed, in accordance with the will of Allah. If they had only, when they were unjust to themselves, come to the Messenger and asked Allah's forgiveness, and the Messenger had (also) asked forgiveness for them, they would have found Allah indeed Oft-returning, Most Merciful.|Al-Qur'an, Surah an-Nisa, 4:64<ref name="ahlus-sunna.com">http://www.ahlus-sunna.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=57&Itemid=116</ref>}} | |||
| It can be deduced from the verse above that intercession (tawassul) is only with the "permission" of ].<ref name=tomorrow></ref> Also, the practice of seeking intercession began during the time of prophet ].<ref>Al Rifai Al Salafi At Tawassol Ila Haqiqat al Tawassul P:158. الرفاعي المعاصر: التوصل إلى حقيقة التوسل</ref> An oft-cited ] in support of this is one narrated from ] regarding a blind man who Muslims believe was healed through the process. | |||
| The Hadith is as follows: | |||
| {{Quote|A blind man came to the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him & give him peace) and said: "I've been afflicted in my eyesight, so pray to Allah for me". The Prophet (Allah bless him & give him peace) said: "Go perform ablution (Wudu), perform two Rak’at Salat and then say: "O Allah! I ask you and turn to you through my Prophet Muhammad, the Prophet of Mercy. O Muhammad! I seek your intercession with my lord for the return of my eyesight, that it may be fulfilled. O Allah! Grant him intercession for me". The Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him & give him peace) then said: "and if there is some other need, do the same"|Recorded by ], ], ], ] and others, with a sound chain of narrators.<ref> | |||
| | Not accessible, 8 May 2013</ref>}} | |||
| ==Tawassul in light of Quran== | |||
| In the section, we shall examine some verses of the holy ] that justify and approve tawassul. The first verse we shall consider is the verse 35 of chapter 5 of the holy ]: | |||
| ″O believers! Fear Allah and seek means (of approach to) His (presence and to His nearness and accessibility) and strive in His way so that you may prosper"{{efn|}} | |||
| The above verse lay emphasis on four things: | |||
| * Faith | |||
| * Piety (]) | |||
| * Search for means of approach | |||
| * Struggle for ]'s sake | |||
| According to the verse, the third regulation after faith in God and piety is " seeking means (of approach to) His (presence and to His nearness and accessibility)". Some of the religious scholars have interpreted ''wasilah'' (the means of approach) mentioned in the Quranic verse as faith and good deeds while others, who are majority have explained the word as the prophets, the righteous and favourites of ].<ref name="Muhammad">{{cite book|last=Tahir-ul-Qadri|first=Muhammad|title=Islamic Concept of Intermediation (Tawassul)|year=2001|publisher=Minhaj-ul-Quran Publication,Lahore| pages=42–44| isbn= 978-9693208825}}</ref> | |||
| Also, the verse reveals that a person seeking means of approach to ] will have in the first instance a believer and Muttaqeen (a person who fear ]). Thus ''wasilah'' does not amount to associating patner with ] but rather reaffirms the oneness of ].<ref name="Muhammad" /> | |||
| ==Tawassul in the light of Sunna== | |||
| {{Empty section|date=December 2015}} | |||
| ==Sunni perspective== | |||
| ===Views of Islamic Jurists=== | |||
| All jurists comprising ],], ], ] and ] are unanimous on the permissibility of tawassul whether during the lifetime of the prophet or after his demise.<ref name="Zurqani">{{cite book|last=al-Zurqani|first=Muhammad|title=Sharh al-Mawahib al-ladunniyah|publisher=Dar al-Ma'rifa|place=Beirut|pages=304–305}}</ref><ref name="Juzayy">{{cite book|last=Ibn Juzayy|first=Muhammad|title=Al-Qawanin al-Fiqhiyyah|year=1926|publisher=Matbaat al-Nahda|page=148}}</ref> | |||
| ] traditionally have believed that seeking intercession is lawful: | |||
| Imam Baihaqi in Shu’ayb ul Iman endorsed the view of Imam Ahmed bin Hanbal, Imam Shafi in Imâm Shâfi`î, Dîwân, Ibn Hajar ‘Asqalani in Al-Isabah, Mullah Ali Qari in Sharh ash-Shifa, Imam Ibn Kathir in Ibn Kathir, Imam an-Nawawi in Majmu, Imam Jalaluddin Suyuti in Dur al-Manthur, Imam Qurtubi in Tafsir al-Qurtubi, Qadhi Shawkani in Tuhfa tul Dhakireen have explained and supported Tawassul.<ref name="ahlus-sunna.com"/> Syrian Islamic scholars Salih al-Nu`man, Abu Sulayman Suhayl al-Zabibi, and Mustafa ibn Ahmad al-Hasan al-Shatti al-Hanbali al-Athari al-Dimashqi have similarly released ]s in support of the practice.<ref></ref> | |||
| ===Ibn Taymiya view=== | |||
| The ] considers it unlawful to make Tawassul through those that are no longer alive — including prophets and saints. The Saudi-based ] holds the view that Tawassul through dead persons, virtuous or not, leads to '']'' (polytheism).<ref>| FatwaIslam.com</ref> | |||
| ==Shia perspective== | |||
| ===Shia Ulama views=== | |||
| ⚫ | Seeking Intercession (tawassul) is accepted and even advised in ]. Shia Scholars refer to Quranic verses such as , and and justify its permissibility. During the tawassul prayer Shia Muslims call on the names of the prophet Muhammad and the Ahl al-Bayt and use them as their intercessors/intermediaries to God.<ref name="Donaldson">{{cite book|last=Donaldson|first=Dwight M.|title=The Shi'ite Religion: A History of Islam in Persia and Irak|year=1933|pp=339–358|publisher=BURLEIGH PRESS}}</ref> | ||
| ==Quranist view== | |||
| According to ] there are three types of verses concerning intercession. The first type of which totally rejects intercession,{{efn|}}{{efn|}}{{efn|}}{{efn|}}<ref name= "Tabataba'i"/> while the second type reserves it for God only.{{efn|}}{{efn|}}{{efn|}}<ref name= "Tabataba'i"/> The third type however state that others too may intercede with God's permission.{{efn|}}{{efn|}}{{efn|}}{{efn|}}{{efn|}}<ref name= "Tabataba'i"/> | |||
| Tabatabaie says it is a famous style of ] that it first rejects any virtue or perfection for anyone other than God; then it confirms the same virtue for others depending on His permission and pleasure.<ref name= "Tabataba'i"/> To prove his view, Tabataba'i puts forward the following similar verse in which first (in the first verse) Quran says only God knows unseen, then (in the second verse) Quran confirms it for others too: ''And with Him are the keys of the unseen, does not know it any except He''.{{efn|}} ''o He does not reveal His secrets to any, except to him whom He chooses of an apostle''.{{efn|}}<ref name= "Tabataba'i">{{cite book|last1=Tabataba'i|first1=Muhammad Husayn|title=al-Mīzãn; An Exegesis of the Qur’ãn|date=1983|others=Translated by Sayid Saeed Akhtar Rizvi|authorlink= Muhammad Husayn Tabataba'i| publisher=World Organization for Islamic Services|location=Beirut,|pages=264–293}}</ref> | |||
| ==Notes== | |||
| {{notelist|2}} | |||
| ⚫ | |||
| ==References== | ==References== | ||
| {{Reflist|30em}} | {{Reflist|30em}} | ||
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| * | * | ||
| * | * | ||
| ] | ] | ||
| ] | ] | ||
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Tawassul is an Arabic word originated from wa-sa-la- wasilat (Template:Lang-ar). The wasilah is a means by which a person,goal or objective is approached, attained or achieved. In another version of the meaning of tawassul in another text: Tawassul is an Arabic word that comes from a verbal noun, wasilah, which according to Ibn Manzur (d. 711/1311) in Lisān al-'Arab means "a station with King, a rank, or act of devotion. In other words, it refers to a position of power due to one's proximity to the king or sovereign. While the tawassul or tawassulan is the use of wasilah for this purpose. In religious contexts,the tawassul is the use of a wasilah to arrive at or obtain favour of Allah.
We can find various examples of tawassul in the Books of Hadith.One good example is found in well-known hadith of the young men trapped in a cave whose mouth was covered by a stone: Each of them prays to God by mentioning some acts that he did for God's sake, in hopes that it might cause his prayer to be accepted. This is a good example of doing tawassul with one's good action.
Origin
The most frequently cited of those verses of the Quran in which the word wasilah appears is:
O you who believe! be careful of (your duty to) Allah and seek means (wasilah) of nearness to Him and strive hard in His way that you may be successful (Q5:35)
The meaning of the term wasilah in the above verse according to Albani is a thing that is used to obtain closeness and favour of Allah. According to some classical commentators, including the great Sufi exegetes, such as al-Qushayri (d. 465/1074) explain the use of al-wasilah in this verse to mean avoiding what is prohibited,fulfiling what is enjoined on us, and drawing near to God through good actions. Both Raghib Isfahan and Sayyid Muhammad Husayn Tabataba'i opine that al-wasilah means to reach a certain goal through desire, inclination and willingness, and in fact wasilah towards God means observance of His path with knowledge and worship through adherence to the Sharia. In another verse of the Qur'an that confirmed legality of tawassul (intercession) states:
We sent not the Messenger, but to be obeyed, in accordance with the will of Allah. If they had only, when they were unjust to themselves, come to the Messenger and asked Allah's forgiveness, and the Messenger had (also) asked forgiveness for them, they would have found Allah indeed Oft-returning, Most Merciful.
— Al-Qur'an, Surah an-Nisa, 4:64
It can be deduced from the verse above that intercession (tawassul) is only with the "permission" of Allah. Also, the practice of seeking intercession began during the time of prophet Muhammad. An oft-cited Hadith in support of this is one narrated from Uthman ibn Hunaif regarding a blind man who Muslims believe was healed through the process.
The Hadith is as follows:
A blind man came to the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him & give him peace) and said: "I've been afflicted in my eyesight, so pray to Allah for me". The Prophet (Allah bless him & give him peace) said: "Go perform ablution (Wudu), perform two Rak’at Salat and then say: "O Allah! I ask you and turn to you through my Prophet Muhammad, the Prophet of Mercy. O Muhammad! I seek your intercession with my lord for the return of my eyesight, that it may be fulfilled. O Allah! Grant him intercession for me". The Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him & give him peace) then said: "and if there is some other need, do the same"
— Recorded by Tirmidhi, Abu Dawud, Nasa'i, Tabarani and others, with a sound chain of narrators.
Tawassul in light of Quran
In the section, we shall examine some verses of the holy Quran that justify and approve tawassul. The first verse we shall consider is the verse 35 of chapter 5 of the holy Quran:
″O believers! Fear Allah and seek means (of approach to) His (presence and to His nearness and accessibility) and strive in His way so that you may prosper"
The above verse lay emphasis on four things:
According to the verse, the third regulation after faith in God and piety is " seeking means (of approach to) His (presence and to His nearness and accessibility)". Some of the religious scholars have interpreted wasilah (the means of approach) mentioned in the Quranic verse as faith and good deeds while others, who are majority have explained the word as the prophets, the righteous and favourites of Allah. Also, the verse reveals that a person seeking means of approach to Allah will have in the first instance a believer and Muttaqeen (a person who fear Allah). Thus wasilah does not amount to associating patner with Allah but rather reaffirms the oneness of Allah.
Tawassul in the light of Sunna
 | This section is empty. You can help by adding to it. (December 2015) |
Sunni perspective
Views of Islamic Jurists
All jurists comprising Imami,Shafi'i, Maliki, Hanafi and Hambali are unanimous on the permissibility of tawassul whether during the lifetime of the prophet or after his demise. Sunni Muslims traditionally have believed that seeking intercession is lawful: Imam Baihaqi in Shu’ayb ul Iman endorsed the view of Imam Ahmed bin Hanbal, Imam Shafi in Imâm Shâfi`î, Dîwân, Ibn Hajar ‘Asqalani in Al-Isabah, Mullah Ali Qari in Sharh ash-Shifa, Imam Ibn Kathir in Ibn Kathir, Imam an-Nawawi in Majmu, Imam Jalaluddin Suyuti in Dur al-Manthur, Imam Qurtubi in Tafsir al-Qurtubi, Qadhi Shawkani in Tuhfa tul Dhakireen have explained and supported Tawassul. Syrian Islamic scholars Salih al-Nu`man, Abu Sulayman Suhayl al-Zabibi, and Mustafa ibn Ahmad al-Hasan al-Shatti al-Hanbali al-Athari al-Dimashqi have similarly released Fatwas in support of the practice.
Ibn Taymiya view
The Salafi considers it unlawful to make Tawassul through those that are no longer alive — including prophets and saints. The Saudi-based Permanent Committee for Islamic Research and Fataawa holds the view that Tawassul through dead persons, virtuous or not, leads to shirk (polytheism).
Shia perspective
Shia Ulama views
Seeking Intercession (tawassul) is accepted and even advised in Shi'a Islam. Shia Scholars refer to Quranic verses such as 5:3, 12:97 and 12:98 and justify its permissibility. During the tawassul prayer Shia Muslims call on the names of the prophet Muhammad and the Ahl al-Bayt and use them as their intercessors/intermediaries to God.
Quranist view
According to Tabatabaie there are three types of verses concerning intercession. The first type of which totally rejects intercession, while the second type reserves it for God only. The third type however state that others too may intercede with God's permission.
Tabatabaie says it is a famous style of Quran that it first rejects any virtue or perfection for anyone other than God; then it confirms the same virtue for others depending on His permission and pleasure. To prove his view, Tabataba'i puts forward the following similar verse in which first (in the first verse) Quran says only God knows unseen, then (in the second verse) Quran confirms it for others too: And with Him are the keys of the unseen, does not know it any except He. o He does not reveal His secrets to any, except to him whom He chooses of an apostle.
Notes
- Qur'an, 5: 35
- Qur'an, 2: 254
- Qur'an, 12: 48
- Qur'an, 40: 33
- Qur'an, 10: 18
- Qur'an, 32: 4
- Qur'an, 6: 51
- Qur'an, 2: 255
- Qur'an, 10: 3
- Qur'an, 21: 26-28
- Qur'an, 19: 87
- Qur'an, 34: 23
- Qur'an, 53: 26
- Qur'an, 6: 59
- Qur'an, 72: 27
References
- ^ Julian, Millie (2008). "Supplicating,Naming,offering:Tawassul in West Java". Journal of Southeast Asian Studies. 39 (1): 107–122. doi:10.1017/S0022463408000052.
- ^ Hamza, Yusuf (2014). The Prayer of the oppressed. eBooks2go. ISBN 9781618130204.
- Shirazi, Abd al-Karim (2000). Tawassul-Seeking a way unto Allah. Ahlul Bayt World Assembly.
- ^ http://www.ahlus-sunna.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=57&Itemid=116
- Sunni Hanbali Position from Islam Tomorrow
- Al Rifai Al Salafi At Tawassol Ila Haqiqat al Tawassul P:158. الرفاعي المعاصر: التوصل إلى حقيقة التوسل
- Aqeeda_Wasila of Holy Prophet| Not accessible, 8 May 2013
- ^ Tahir-ul-Qadri, Muhammad (2001). Islamic Concept of Intermediation (Tawassul). Minhaj-ul-Quran Publication,Lahore. pp. 42–44. ISBN 978-9693208825.
- al-Zurqani, Muhammad. Sharh al-Mawahib al-ladunniyah. Beirut: Dar al-Ma'rifa. pp. 304–305.
- Ibn Juzayy, Muhammad (1926). Al-Qawanin al-Fiqhiyyah. Matbaat al-Nahda. p. 148.
- Salih al-Na`man's fatwa on Tawassul
- Seeking Rescue from the Living and Dead and Making Tawassul Through Them| FatwaIslam.com
- Donaldson, Dwight M. (1933). The Shi'ite Religion: A History of Islam in Persia and Irak. BURLEIGH PRESS. pp. 339–358.
- ^ Tabataba'i, Muhammad Husayn (1983). al-Mīzãn; An Exegesis of the Qur’ãn. Translated by Sayid Saeed Akhtar Rizvi. Beirut,: World Organization for Islamic Services. pp. 264–293.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: extra punctuation (link)
Further reading
- Chiabotti, Francesco, Shafa'a (Intercession), in Muhammad in History, Thought, and Culture: An Encyclopedia of the Prophet of God (2 vols.), Edited by C. Fitzpatrick and A. Walker, Santa Barbara, ABC-CLIO, 2014. ISBN 1610691776
External links
- Intercession in Islam
- Tawassul in the Sunnah
- The Intermediary of Shirk by Sayyid Muhammad Alawi al-Maliki
- Tawassul: Is it permissible?. -
- Position of Tawassul and Waseela in Islam
- Tawassul: Tawassul seeking way unto Allah.
- Qawanin al fiqhiyah