[4] There is irrefutable evidence of reliance on these...

[4] There is irrefutable evidence of reliance on these righteous people for the fulfilment of their needs and the relief of their pains and troubles. In its support, the Qur’ānic verse in which Allāh is commanding the believers to associate themselves with the righteous is quite sufficient and conclusive. Allāh says: O believers! Fear Allāh, and remain in (the company of) the truthful.

[5] In this verse, Allāh, on the one hand, is instructing the believers in the uniqueness and immutability of His Power; on the other hand, He is enjoining upon them to adopt the company of the truthful in order to elevate themselves to a position which the truthful have already attained. At another place, Allāh says: And follow the path of the (person) who turned towards Us.

[6] Similarly, the prophet Yūsuf’s supplication is also recorded in the holy Qur’ān: Take my soul at death as a Muslim and unite me with the righteous. [7] The holy Prophet*(Peace Be Upon Him and His Household)* himself prayed to Allāh using similar wo rds.

[8] Some people might object to the authenticity of the tradition, picking out flaws in its chain of transmission or coming out with some other frivolous remarks, but no believer can deny the credibility of the supplication by Yūsuf*(Peace Be Upon Him)* as it is recorded in the holy Qur’ān which is nothing but absolute truth. Thus it is established that it has been the practice of the prophets to mediate their supplications through the virtuous and the righteous.

The recording of these forms of supplication in the Qur’ān is most probably intended to persuade the believers to follow the practice of the prophets. Ibn-ul-Firāsī narrates that Firāsī said to the Prophet*(Peace Be Upon Him and His Household)* : ‘O Messenger of Allāh! Shall I beg you for something?’ He replied: No, and if you can’t help begging, then you should beseech the pious and the righteous (for help).

[9] Some people believe that the supplication of the pious and the virtuous is granted during their lifetime, but after death they cannot help anyone, as they themselves are helpless. They believe that the righteous are a source of help but only during their earthly existence, and it is disbelief to rely on them for help after their death. The supporters of this view are victims of a grave misunderstanding because the reality is just the reverse.