What is the reason for the permissibility of seeking intercession through the supplication of a righteous living person who is present, despite the existence of His — Exalted be He — saying: "And when My servants ask you concerning Me, then [answer them], I am indeed near. I respond to the invocation of the supplicant when he calls upon Me"? And why did the blind man say: "I have turned to my Lord through you"? And is this permissible even if the Prophet, may Allah’s prayers and peace be upon him, did not hear him?

There is no issue in the noble verse regarding the permissibility of interceding with Allah through the supplication of the righteous, for it is a legitimate means of intercession. The evidence for this is: the supplication of a Muslim for his brother in his absence is answered; Allah grants victory and sustenance to the Ummah through its weak ones by their supplications; whoever invokes blessings upon the Prophet (peace be upon him) and asks for al-Wasilah for him, intercession becomes permissible for him; and the intercession by Al-Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) after the death of the Prophet (peace be upon him) indicates the permissibility of seeking help through the supplication of the righteous. Seeking supplication from people of virtue is legitimate. The blind man's saying in the hadith, "I turn to You through him," is for complete mental presence, similar to the Tashahhud: "Peace be upon you, O Prophet," which is a call to bring the addressed one into the heart.