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Intercessory Recourse (Tawassul): Wahhabis versus Muslims - Al-Shia The Scientific and Cultural Website of Shia belief Intercessory Recourse (Tawassul): Wahhabis versus Muslims 2023-12-01 355 Views Tawassul , Intercessory Recourse , Tawassul and Wahhabis The intercessory recourse (Tawassul) with the special servants of God to solve one’s material and spiritual problems is one of the most important and highly controversial issues between the Wahhabis and other Muslims.

Wahhabis affirm that an intercessory recourse (Tawassul) to Allah with good acts has no problem, but through the saints of Allah is not permitted, as it is considered a kind of polytheism (Shirk). On the contrary, other Muslims affirm the intercessory recourse (Tawassul) with good acts as well as with the special servants of God. In the belief of the Wahhabis, some verses of the Qur’an are assumed to forbid the intercessory recourse (Tawassul) with the saints of Allah, as it is an idolatry act.

For instance, verse 3 of Qur’an 39 [Surah al-Zumar]: “…and those who take other as awliya besides Him [claiming,] ‘We only worship them so that they may bring us near to Allah’” which was revealed about three Arab tribes, Amir, Kanana, and Bani Salamah, who worshipped idols and believed that the angels were the daughters of God, and they said: “We worship idols so that they may bring us closer to God”.

In another verse, the Qur’an says: “…so do not invoke anyone along with Allah.” (Qur’an 72: 18). Qur’an says in another verse: “…and those whom they invoke besides Him do not answer them in any wise…” (Qur’an 13: 14) Besides, the Wahhabis also believe that the intercessory recourse (Tawassul) with the holy Prophet (PBUHH) is only permitted during his lifetime but prohibited after his death.

Unfortunately, due to this wrong belief, Wahhabis have accused lots of Muslims of heresy and polytheism and considered their blood and property to be lawful to them. Meanwhile, it is necessary to examine the concept of intercessory recourse (Tawassul) from its literal sense. The term “Tawassul” is an infinitive from the Arabic root of “w-s-l” meaning to do something in order to become close to someone or something.

In a technical sense, the term means to benefit from the good and righteous people close to God in order for supplications to be fulfilled.