in the case of al-wasīlah, which his Lord promised him and decreed for him, he commanded his community to ask for it on his behalf. Allah, glorified is He, decreed it through causes, including the supplications that would be made. On this understanding, the supplications actually offered in obedience to this command form part of the cause—and Allah knows best. He therefore rewards the supplicant for his supplication by making it complete the cause. On this explanation, the supplication does not cause the supplicant alone to receive any of what is sought; rather, it contributes to its attainment by the community as a whole. Nevertheless, he is rewarded for supplicating because his supplication is among its causes. This is because the Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) said:

“No servant calls upon Allah with a supplication involving neither sin nor the severing of family ties without Allah granting him, through it, one of three things: either He hastens the fulfilment of his supplication, stores up an equivalent amount of good for him, expiates an equivalent amount of his sins, or wards off an equivalent amount of affliction. They said, ‘O Messenger of Allah, then we shall supplicate abundantly!’ He replied, ‘Allah has still more to give.’” (1)

Thus, someone who offers this supplication is like someone who asks for al-wasīlah: he receives a reward particular to himself, just as someone who supplicates for the community or for his absent brother does. His supplication is among the causes of good through which mercy reaches the community. Similarly, someone who asks that the Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) be granted al-wasīlah is rewarded by becoming entitled to his intercession on the Day of Resurrection.

There is also a “third answer”: everyone who offers this supplication obtains something of what he asks and seeks that he would not obtain without offering the supplication called for. Supplicating in this way is therefore like supplicating for his other needs, such as forgiveness and mercy. It is not like the supplication of