How does one respond to the specious argument of those who permit seeking aid from deceased and absent saints with the intention of asking for their supplication, and who claim that saying "Aghithna ya Rasul Allah" (Help us, O Messenger of Allah) or "Madad ya Hussein" (Aid, O Hussein) means "Help us by your supplication to Allah for us"?

Seeking supplication from a living, present person is permissible, but not from the dead or the absent. The evidence indicates the prohibition of asking the deceased, whether prophets, righteous individuals, or others, and requesting from them that which only Allah can provide, because this leads to shirk (polytheism). Prophets and righteous individuals, after their death, are not to be asked, nor is anything to be sought from them. It is not permissible to call upon them or seek their aid. This is established by textual evidence and the consensus of the scholars of the Ummah, just as the Companions did not seek aid from the Prophet, peace be be upon him, after his passing.