What is the ruling on seeking help from creation in writings and thoughts, such as: "O clouds, rain and wash away the sadness within me," or "O grave, where the dearest person to me resides, lighten the heavy soil upon him," and how can one advise those who say that these are merely thoughts and nothing more?

It is impermissible to seek aid from a created being in matters that none but Allah can accomplish. However, some expressions commonly used by people are not intended to convey their literal meaning, such as the Prophet's (peace and blessings be upon him) saying: "He will be successful, by his father, if he speaks the truth," or "May your mother be bereaved of you," or "Wounded and throttled." These are phrases uttered without intending their actual meaning.

Similarly, when poets address clouds, rain, or graves, they do not intend real supplication for aid. Scholars have stipulated that calling upon the dead, inanimate objects, or the absent is prohibited under two conditions: that the call be literal, not figurative, and that it be intended to seek something that none but Allah can accomplish. Anything other than this is not prohibited. In conclusion, there is no harm in expressions that do not literally intend seeking aid, though it is preferable to avoid them if there is a fear that they might lead people to a false belief.