, Glorious and Exalted. The second is seeking assistance in the sense that someone joins you in what you wish to accomplish. This is permissible, provided that the person whose help is sought is alive and capable of helping, because this does not constitute worship. Thus Allah Most High says, ﴿Cooperate with one another in righteousness and piety﴾ [al-Mā’idah: 2].

If someone asks, “Is seeking help from a created being permissible in all circumstances?”

The answer is no. Seeking help from a created being is permissible only when that person is capable of providing it. If he is incapable, it is impermissible to seek his help. For example, seeking help from the occupant of a grave is forbidden—indeed, it is major shirk—because the occupant of the grave cannot benefit even himself, so how could he help someone else? Likewise, seeking help from someone who is absent in a matter beyond his power—such as believing that a saint in the eastern part of the world can help him accomplish a task in his own country—is also major shirk, for that person cannot help him from where he is.

If someone asks, “Should a person seek someone else’s help in matters where doing so is permissible?”

The answer is that it is preferable not to seek anyone’s help except when needed, or when one knows that the other person will be pleased by it, in which case he may seek his help in order to bring him joy. Anyone asked to assist in something that does not involve sin or transgression should respond favorably.

﴿Guide us to the straight path﴾.

Regarding the words of Allah Most High, ﴿Guide us to the straight path﴾: the word ﴿al-sirāt﴾ has two readings: one with the letter sīn, ﴿al-sirāt﴾, and the other with a pure sād, ﴿al-sirāt﴾. What is meant by ﴿al-sirāt﴾ is the path, while “guidance” comprises guidance through instruction and guidance through divine enablement. Thus, when you say, ﴿Guide us to the straight path﴾, you are asking Allah