anything in that which entails an answer to another person’s supplication, unless there is a cause linking him to them—such as faith in them and obedience to them—or linking them to him, such as their supplication for him and intercession on his behalf. These two things may be used as means of approach to Allah, but adjuring Him by a created being may not.

As for the saying that some of the common people attribute to him:

“When you ask Allah, ask Him by my standing, for my standing with Allah is great,”

it is a false, fabricated hadith.

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As for the questioner’s words:

“Is it permissible to venerate a place containing khalūq (perfume) and saffron because the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, was seen there?”

The answer is: Rather, venerating such places and turning them into mosques and places of visitation for that reason is among the practices of the People of the Book, whom we have been forbidden to imitate in these matters.

It is established that, while travelling, ʿUmar ibn al-Khattāb saw some people hastening towards a place. He asked, “What is this?” They replied, “A place where the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, prayed.”

He said, “And what if it is a place where the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, prayed? Do you intend to turn the sites associated with your prophets into mosques? Whoever is there when the prayer falls due should pray; otherwise, he should continue on his way.”

ʿUmar said this in the presence of the Companions. It is well known that the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, would pray during his journeys