recall Abū Tālib’s words about the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and his family and grant him peace:

‘A fair-faced man, through whose countenance rain is sought from the clouds—
A refuge for orphans, a protector of widows.’”

This was how they sought access to Allah through him when seeking rain and the like. When he died, they sought access to Allah through al-‘Abbās, may Allah be pleased with him, just as they had sought access through him and sought rain.

They did not seek rain through him after his death, in his absence, at his grave, or at anyone else’s grave. Likewise, Mu‘āwiyah ibn Abī Sufyān sought rain through Yazīd ibn al-Aswad al-Jurashī, saying:

“O Allah, we seek intercession with You through the best among us. O Yazīd, raise your hands to Allah.”

He raised his hands and supplicated, and they supplicated, and they were granted rain.

For this reason, the scholars said:

“It is recommended to seek rain through righteous and virtuous people. If they belong to the household of the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and his family and grant him peace, that is better still.”

None of the scholars stated that it is prescribed to seek access to Allah or seek rain through the Prophet or a righteous person after his death or in his absence. Nor did they recommend this when seeking rain, seeking victory, or making any other supplications. Supplication is the essence of worship.

Worship is founded upon the Sunnah and adherence to it, not upon personal desires and religious innovation. Allah is to be worshipped only as He has prescribed, not according to personal desires and innovations. Allah Most High says:

“Or do they have partners who have ordained for them in religion what Allah has not permitted?”

And Allah Most High says:

“Call upon your Lord humbly and in secret. Indeed, He does not love those who transgress.”

And in the words of