Is supplicating with "I ask You by the Qur'an and its letters, I ask You by Gabriel and his message, by Michael and his trustworthiness, by Israfil and his blowing [of the Trumpet], by our master Noah, peace be upon him, and his progeny, by our master Abraham and his closeness [to Allah], by our master Moses and his direct address [from Allah], by our master Muhammad and his intercession, by As-Siddiq and his caliphate, by Omar and his discerning truth from falsehood, by Othman and his modesty, by Ali and his bravery" displeasing to Allah and His Messenger? Is it unlawful (haram)? And what in it is unlawful, and what is the proof for it from the Book and the Sunnah?

The question divides tawassul (seeking proximity to God) into four types:

1. Tawassul through the Qur'an: This is permissible because it is tawassul through one of God's attributes (His speech). The Sharia has allowed tawassul through God's attributes, and seeking refuge in it is valid. As Ibn Uthaymin said: "The Qur'an is one of the attributes of Allah, the Mighty and Majestic, so tawassul through it is permissible."

2. Tawassul through the person of Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him (his status/prestige): This is impermissible. It has not been reported in the Sunnah, and Abu Hanifa and his companions prohibited it because no one has a right over Allah, and the Prophet's status has no effect on the fulfillment of the supplicant's objective. However, if the intention behind tawassul is the supplicant's faith in the Prophet and his love for him, then it is permissible.

3. Tawassul through the persons of created beings (righteous or otherwise): This is an innovation (bidah) and an evil act, both legally and customarily. It is not valid because created beings have no effect on the answering of prayers except through their intercession and direct supplication for the supplicant.

4. Tawassul through phrases whose meaning is not understood: Examples include tawassul through "the breath," or "the progeny of Noah," or "the caliphate of As-Siddiq," or "the bravery of Ali." Such talk is meaningless and does not emanate from a conscious supplicant. It is a result of violating the Sunnah and an affected use of rhymed prose (saj) in supplication, which is forbidden and prevents humility.