invoking anyone other than Allah or seeking help without qualification from anyone other than Him in any circumstances, although there is a distinction between the two. Invoking anyone other than Allah is disbelief. Hence, invoking any of the dead or absent—whether prophets or others—has not been reported from any of the early generations or the leading scholars. It was mentioned only by certain later writers who were not leading scholars qualified to exercise independent legal judgment.

This differs from saying, “I ask You by our Prophet’s standing,” or “by his right.” Some earlier scholars are reported to have done this, but it was not widespread among them, nor is there any Sunnah from the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, supporting it. Rather, the Sunnah indicates that it is prohibited, as has been reported from Abū Hanīfa, Abū Yūsuf and others.

I found the following statement in the fatwas of the jurist Abū Muhammad ibn ‘Abd al-Salām:

“It is not permissible to seek a means of approach to Allah through any of His creatures except through the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, provided that the hadith of the blind man is authentic.”

Its authenticity was not known. I subsequently found reports from Abū Hanīfa, Abū Yūsuf and other scholars stating:

“It is not permissible to adjure Allah by any of the prophets.”

I also found in Imam Ahmad’s statements that he permitted this in the case of the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace. This may, however, be derived from one of the two opinions reported from him concerning the permissibility of swearing by him.

It has already been explained that this hadith indicates only seeking a means of approach to Allah through the Prophet’s supplication. It does not concern adjuring Allah Most High by a created being, nor asking by the Messenger’s person, as explained earlier.

Those who seek a means of approach through his person so that their supplications may be accepted have turned away from what they were commanded to do and what was prescribed for them—something among the most beneficial practices for them—to something that is not so. Invoking blessings upon him is among the greatest means by which supplication is answered, and Allah has commanded it.

Invoking blessings upon him during supplication is what the Quran, Sunnah and scholarly consensus establish. Allah Most High says:

“Indeed, Allah and His angels send blessings upon the Prophet. O you who believe, send blessings upon him and salute him with greetings of peace.”