Therefore...

Therefore, if they keep in mind the Qur’anic concept of balance, they can bridge the chasm between the two extremes of literal and figurative interpretation and reknit the Muslims into a more dynamic unity. It is this spirit of moderation and creative reconciliation that can guarantee the security of our faith and generate a sane and sensible response to divine unity. Imam Ibn Taymiyyah is regarded a controversial figure as far as the interpretation of Islamic beliefs is concerned.

But this is flying in the face of reality. In fact, his belief is rooted in balance. And if it receives an objective and impartial interpretation from our contemporary scholars, it can provide a link between the two extreme positions.

The present situation is that a group of people, on the basis of their limited understanding of Islamic beliefs, is offering a self-concocted version of the teachings of Imam Ibn Taymiyyah to seek endorsement for their own flawed views, while others with correct Islamic belief, are accusing him of un-Islamic beliefs which is, in fact, only a reflection of their ignorance of facts. Thus, while the first group is guilty of wilful falsification, the second group is handicapped by factual limitation.

But a correct understanding of Imam Ibn Taymiyyah’s views can straighten out the hump in their understanding of Islamic beliefs and draw them closer in the process. Imam Ibn Taymiyyah’s view is the view held by all Muslims: "Allah is One; He has no associate; He alone is to be worshipped. We should pray only to Him and seek only His help. Anyone who regards non-God as the source of help is automatically expelled from the fold of Islam, as it is a negation of divine unity.

Allah alone has the power to reward our good deeds and condone our sins. Besides Him, no one on his own can either enable someone to do good or avoid evil. To seek help from the prophets or saints is justified only on the basis of its borrowed status, as it has no independent existence. Its ultimate source is Allah alone.” This is the correct Islamic belief and any deviation from it amounts to entertaining false beliefs.

Ibn Taymiyyah has discussed the validity of istighatah and tawassul in detail in his book Qa‘idah jalilah fit-tawassul wal-wasilah . Once Imam Ibn Taymiyyah was questioned whether it was valid or invalid to depend on the mediation of the Prophet*(Peace Be Upon Him and His Household)* , he replied: "All praise for Allah!