Imām Ālūsī: Commenting on the earlier verses of sūrah an-Nāzi‘āt, he explains in these words the justification of reliance on Allāh’s favourites and seeking help and support from them: (In the introductory sentences of this sūrah,) the separation of the…

Mary about religious istighathah? A brief summary: These are a few of the observations, experiences and sayings, which span centuries of human existence. They clearly prove that the graves and tombs of the chosen people of Allāh are a steady…

Opion’s imams about religious istighathah 1. Imām Zayn-ul-‘Ābidīn Imām Zayn-ul-‘Ābidīn supplicates to the Holy Prophet for help and intercession in these words: O mercy of the worlds! You are the intercessor for the sinners. On account of your infinite generosity,…

Religious Leaders and Istighāthah: It is an established fact that on account of the distinction Allāh has conferred on His favourites and the blessings He has showered upon them, it has been the practice of our religious leaders and scholars…

Beseeching help from others is Islamic command It is Allāh’s command to seek help from Him through His favourite servant s for the fulfilment of needs and the relief of worries and problems, which constantly nag one’s mind and cannot…

The Prophet’s question is an argument for the power of the questioned In the event related in the holy Qur’ān, Sulaymān  had conveyed his wish to the courtiers to bring to him the throne of queen Balqīs, and qualified it…

Division between real and derivative is inevitable: A group, who denies the relevance of beseeching help from any quarter besides Allāh, however, believes that it is valid in natural matters, while there is no need to stress its real and…

Allegation of disbelief against Allāh? The specific verse of sūrah Āl ‘Imrān records the words uttered by ‘Īsā , “I bring the dead to life by God’s leave and I breathe life into the figures of birds made out of…

Second objection: Appeal for help is a form of disbelief in supernatural matters This objection is based on a particular division. Mattes are generally divided into two categories on the basis of causes: Ordinary matters Extraordinary matters According to this…

Smoothing out the Wrinkles  Though beseeching the prophets, the saints and the martyrs for help and assistance is quite appropriate and is proved both by the Qur’ān and the sunnah, some of its denigrators have castigated it as an act…

Fifth objection: Begging and beseeching help from Allāh alone is valid To negate the validity of beseeching others than Allāh for help is based on a fallacious deduct ion from a tradition narrated by ‘Abdullāh bin ‘Abbās as an argument…

Fourth objection: There is no helper except Allāh They make the Qur’ānic verses which negate the attainment of power and victory through not-Allāh as the basis of their negation of seeking help through any person other than Allāh. It is…