Thus, the intercessor whom Allah has permitted to intercede does so through supplication that involves no transgression. If any of them were to make an inappropriate request, he would not be allowed to persist in it, for they are protected from being allowed to persist in such requests. As Noah said:
“Indeed, my son is of my family; Your promise is surely true, and You are the most just of judges.”
He, the Most High, said:
“O Noah, he is not of your family. Indeed, his conduct is unrighteous. So do not ask Me about that of which you have no knowledge. I admonish you lest you be among the ignorant.”
“He said, ‘My Lord, I seek refuge in You from asking You about that of which I have no knowledge. Unless You forgive me and have mercy upon me, I will be among the losers.’”
Whenever someone supplicates to Allah—glory be to Him, the Most High—and his intercession is accepted, his supplication and intercession occur only by Allah’s decree, predestination, and will. It is He who answers supplication and accepts intercession; He created both the cause and its effect. Supplication is among the causes ordained by Allah—glory be to Him, the Most High.
Since this is so, placing one’s trust in causes violates Allah’s oneness by associating partners with Him; denying that causes are causes betrays a deficiency in reason; and abandoning causes altogether undermines the revealed law. Rather, the servant must direct his trust, supplication, requests, and longing to Allah—glory be to Him, the Most High. Allah ordains for him whatever causes He wills, including the supplications of His creatures and other means.
It is prescribed that those of higher standing supplicate for those of lower standing, and those of lower standing for those of higher standing. Seeking intercession and supplication from the prophets is exemplified by the Muslims’ seeking the Prophet’s intercession—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—when praying for rain, and asking him to supplicate. Likewise, after him, ʿUmar and the Muslims sought rain through his uncle al-ʿAbbās. On the Day of Resurrection, people will seek intercession from the prophets