Is the Hadith narrated by Anas ibn Malik (may Allah be pleased with him): "When Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) faced drought, he would seek rain through Al-Abbas ibn Abd al-Muttalib and say: (O Allah, we used to seek rain from You through our Prophet, and You would grant us rain. And now we seek intercession with You through the uncle of our Prophet, so grant us rain.) And they would be granted rain," authentic, and does it indicate the permissibility of seeking intercession through the status of awliya' (saints/pious individuals)?

This hadith is authentic, narrated by al-Bukhari, and it is evidence against seeking intercession through the status (jah) of the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, or anyone else. The intercession mentioned therein was through the supplication (du'a) of the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, just as intercession was made through the supplication of al-Abbas. If intercession through status were permissible, then intercession through the status of the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, would have been permissible, as his status is the greatest. Intercession through the supplication of someone whose prayer is hoped to be answered due to their righteousness is permissible, as the Companions did with the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, and as Umar did with al-Abbas. However, it is preferable for a person to ask Allah Almighty directly, and to intend to show kindness to the one who supplicates if they are asked to make a supplication.