What Does Tawassul Mean In Dua? Is There A Religious Ground Of Wasilah In Dua?

What does tawassul mean in dua? Is there a religious ground of wasilah in dua?

Tawassul means mediating one of the beautiful names or supreme attributes of Allah, a good deed done by that person, or dua of a living pious person with the aim of getting closer to Allah or making a wish accepted, or warding off a calamity. The word wasilah (means) exists in two places of the Holy Qur’an (Ma’idah, 5/35; Isra, 17/57). In a verse of Surah al-Ma’idah, believers are asked to search for a “wasilah (means)” to get closer to Allah. The purpose of the wasilah in the verse is to submit to Allah and approach Him by doing good deeds that will earn His pleasure.

Making good deeds a “wasilah (means)” (Bukhari, Ijarah, 12; Muslim, Dhikr, 100) and tawassul with dua of a living pious person are accepted as permissible (Bukhari, Jumu’ah,34; Istisqa, 3; Ibn Majah, Iqamat al-Salat, 189). Other than this, it is not permissible to act in a way that does not comply with our religion by not asking something from Allah but asking it from another one. Because dua is made only to Allah, wishes are submitted to Him.

Source: Presidency Of Religious Affairs The Turkey, High Board of Religious Affairs FATWA