What is the validity of the statement that Imam Ahmad permits seeking intercession by the Prophet's pulpit or by the Prophet himself after his death? And was this mentioned in Al-Albani's book "At-Tawassul wa Anwa'uh"? And what is the meaning of the saying of Ibn Muflih al-Hanbali: "Ahmad said in his rituals (mansak) which he wrote for Al-Marwazi: 'Indeed, one seeks intercession through the Prophet (peace be upon him) in his supplication,' and he asserted this in Al-Mustaw'ib and other works"?

Legitimate tawassul (seeking nearness to Allah) is through Allah’s names and attributes, righteous deeds, and the supplication of a righteous man. As for tawassul through the person (dhat) of the Prophet, peace be upon him, or his status (jah), it is a matter of disagreement, and many scholars, including the Hanafis, have prohibited it. They justify this by stating that no one has a right over Allah and that the fundamental principle in acts of worship is tawqif (to be based on revealed texts). Imam Ahmad permitted it by analogizing it to the permissibility of swearing by him, but the majority of scholars, including Malik, Shafi'i, and Abu Hanifa, do not permit swearing by other than Allah. A distinction must be made between this tawassul, which is a matter of disagreement, and istighatha (seeking aid) from the Prophet, peace be upon him, and supplicating to him after his death, for this is shirk (polytheism) by scholarly consensus.