Request the pious to make Dua on one’s behalf

Question:-

I want to know about people who go to the graves of pious people and don’t necessarily pray to these graves, but they request these pious people to make Dua on their behalf. They believe that the pious, due to enjoying close proximity to Allah, their Duas will be readily accepted.

Answer:-

There is no harm asking from Allah Ta’ala through the intermediary (Waseelah) of the pious. Due to their close relationship with Allah Ta’ala, there is hope that the Dua will be accepted. However, it is not permissible to ask from the inmates of the grave directly, nor is it permissible to request them to make Dua on our behalf, to the extent it is not permissible to request Rasulullah Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam to make Dua for our needs. Duas are made directly to Allah Ta’ala. We are taught in the Hadith of Rasulullah Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam, “When you ask, then ask from Allah, and when you seek assistance, then seek assistance from Allah. It is therefore, necessary for the Ummat to act upon these teachings of Rasulullah Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam. [Re: Kifaayatul Mufti Pg.196 /225 Vol.1]

It is recorded in some Kitaabs of Fataawa that those who believe that the dead have the ability of hearing the living, then according to them it is acceptable to make Dua to Allah while addressing the pious person. However, majority of the Hanafis regard this as a futile practice, as they do not hold the view that the deceased are able to hear the living (unless Allah Ta’ala permits them).

[Also check Fataawa Darul Uloom Deoband Pg.264/269 Vol.18]  

ALLAH TA’ALA KNOWS BEST!

ANSWERED BY:

Maulana Ahmed Saeed

Date: 19 Shawwal 1444 / 10 May 2023

CHECKED AND APPROVED BY:

Mufti Mohammed Desai