What is "al-wasila" in Islam?

The wasilah (means/way) is every righteous deed by which one draws closer to Allah Almighty. It is the nearness (qurbah) that should be sought by obeying Him and performing what pleases Him. The word "wasilah" also refers to a specific rank in Paradise reserved for the Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him. In the sound Sharia, the wasilah (means) shares the rulings of the maqasid (ends/objectives). Thus, if the objectives are good, they can only be attained through permissible and legitimate wasilah (means).