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Tawassul to the Ahlul BatcCompiled by Sr. Arifa Hudda

n our previous discussion on Struggle with the Self,we discussed the importance ofSeeking Refuge withthe Noble Qurn. Continuing on with this Jihd

(struggle), we see that another stage in this inner battle is

the Du` - supplication. In order to overcome the Nafs-e-Ammrah, we need to ask for help from Allhi bymeans of the many different and special supplicationsthat we have been taught. However, we must keep inmind that one of the conditions for the acceptance of oursupplications is Tawassul to the Ahlul Batc.

In fact, if one looks through Shaykh `Abbs al-Qumms(may Allh be pleased with him)monumental work, Mafthul Jinn,which has been translated into atleast four languages, one would

hardly find any Du` in which thereis no form of Tawassul to the AhlulBat c. The author of WasilushSh`a, Shaykh Hurr al-Amul (mayAllh be pleased with him), in thesection on Tawassul, has narratedapproximately 70 adth in which itis stated that the condition ofacceptance of ones supplications isto employ Tawassul to the AhlulBatc.

The Noble Qurn even states in regards to Du` that onemust bring a Waslah - or intermediary before onesprayers will be accepted. In Srah al-Midah (5), verse35, we are told:

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Therefore, all things are because of the Ahlul Bat c both the blessings that come about and misfortunes thatare repelled from us.

The concept of employing a Waslah as mentioned in theNoble Qurn is something that the Ahlul Batc themselves even resorted to! It has been narratedthat when the Prophet e used to pray from thebeginning of the night until the morning, he used to

implore Allh i through the person of Amr al-Mominn `Al ibn Ab Hlib c by saying, O Allh! Bythe sake of `Al

When the other immah c used to pray, they toowould ask Allh i through the five members who werepart of the Ahlul Kis (Prophet Muammad, Imm `Al,Sayyidah Fimah, Imm asan and Imm usain).Thus, the way of the Ahlul Bat c was such that eventhey used to resort to Tawassul whenever theysupplicated to Allhi.

It is very unfortunate to see many people these daysignorantly questioning or criticizing the aspect ofTawassul that we have in our beliefs or even trying tocompletely destroy it! Many people (both non-Sh`a andeven some so-called Sh`a) state that the followers ofthe Ahlul Bat c are performing Shirk (worshippingother than Allh) when we pray to Allh through one ofthe Infallible personalities!

Ayatullh Tawakkul, a renowned and educated scholarin Qum who gives lectures on Akhlq and self-buildingpresents a beautiful example in his most recent book

called The Concept of Waslahwhich we mention below.He mentions that when we switch on a lamp in ourhouse and get light from it, we know that the basis ofthis light is the electric company that is supplying thepower; however there must be some way or meansbetween the main source of power and the lamp - andthis is the wire that serves as a connection between thetwo things. Without this connection (the wire from thelamp to the plug in the wall and the wires that stretchfrom the house to the power plant), we would not getthe desired result as we have failed in providing one of

the essential items needed to illuminate our house.Similarly, in order to get our needs from Allh i, themain source we need the Ahlul Bat c as a means orway to serve as a connection between us and Allh i.Thus, we must know that the One fulfilling our desiresand answering our prayers is none other than theAlmighty Creator i, but we need to ask Him throughthe Ahlul Batc.

The Sh`a are very fortunate to have these great personalitiesto pray through and it is unfortunate if we do not takeadvantage of them.

Ayatullh Mazher mentions in his book, Struggle with theSelf (Jihd ba Nafs), that there is a narration from the NobleProphet ethat states, In your life, you have manyopportunities and chances and you have this mercy ofTawassul therefore be careful and make the most use of it

In addition, make use of your youth, because there aremany people who will regret their state while in the gravebarzakh and Qiymat that they were a Sh`a of the AhluBat however they did not make use of the concept ofTawassul that was given to them.

One other way which is one of the best methods of usingWaslah to the Ahlul Bat is to recite Du` al-Tawassul, withfull understanding and sincerely asking Allh i throughthese fourteen noble personalities. It is especiallyrecommended to be recited on Tuesday nights, but can berecited at any time one has any difficulty or desire that one

needs fulfilled. It is sufficient for us to mention that thisDu` is commonly referred to as, The Du` for quickfulfillment of legitimate desires and in this supplicationafter we mention each Imm and their status and rank inthe sight of Allhi, we say:

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O our chief, O our master. Surely we turn towards you,seek your intercession and advocacy (Tawassul) before

Allh. We put before you, our open needs. O intimate

friend of Allh, stand by us when Allh sits in judgemen

over us.

In conclusion, it can be seen that if one wants good in thisworld and in the next world; has prayers he needs acceptedwants help in the grave and on the Day of Judgement andbasically anything at all we must perform Tawassul to theHoly Ma`mn.

There are also other noble personalities in history who were

not among the 14 infallibles but even Tawassul to them isaccepted by Allh i. For example, Sayyidah Zanab, AblFadhl `Abbs - his mother Ummul Bann, Sayyidah FimahMa`mah, and others.