Asking Allaah by the virtue of So and so

 

What is the ruling on saying in
one’s du’aa’: ‘O Allaah, I ask You by the virtue of So and so’?
Is there any difference between this and saying to the occupant of a grave, ‘O So and
so, help me!’?

Praise be to Allaah.

It is not permissible to ask Allaah by the virtue of
anyone, not even by the virtue of the Prophets or Messengers or awliyaa’ or righteous
people. No one can compel Allaah to do anything. It is not permissible to ask Him in any
way except by His Names and Attributes, as Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“And (all) the Most Beautiful Names belong to Allaah, so call
on Him by them” [al-A’raaf 7:180].

With regard to saying to the occupant of a grave, “O So and so,
help me,” this is obviously shirk, because it is a supplication to someone
other than Allaah. Asking by the virtue of someone is a means to shirk, and calling
upon a created being is shirk in worship.

And Allaah knows best.