Every Muslim asserts “You alone we worship, and from You alone we seek help” in Surah al-Fatiha. So, what does this mean when we seek help from a Dr for an ailment or ask someone to assist us in lifting something heavy? Does this imply we failed to ask Allah alone? Are we engaging in shirk?
The scholars of the Ahlus-Sunna explain all help is ultimately sought from Allah, but, there are means to his assistance. These means are sometimes through objects and sometimes through people. Generally all scholars accept it is permissible to get assistance from others. There are however four contentious categories of aid modern day scholars differ over.
Each of the following posts will cover the position of the traditional Ahlus-Sunna scholars:
- Al Tawassul – Supplicating to Allah but using an intermediary to support the supplication
- Al-Istighatha (& Al-Isti‘ānah & Istimdād) – Appealing for aid and assistance from other than Allah
- Al-Shafā’a – Asking someone to make dua’ for you
- Al Tabbaruk – Using an object as a source of blessing