the servant must place his reliance, supplication, requests, and aspirations with Allah alone, and it is Allah Who arranges for him whatever means He wills—whether that be through other people’s prayers or through any cause He chooses. Supplication itself is prescribed: one of higher rank may pray for one of lower rank, and one of lower rank may pray for one of higher rank. Hence it is lawful to ask the prophets for intercession and supplication, just as the Muslims used to seek the Prophet’s intercession for rain and would ask him to pray for them. After his death, ʿUmar and the Muslims likewise sought rain through his uncle al-ʿAbbās. On the Day of Resurrection people will seek the prophets’ intercession, and Muhammad—peace and blessings be upon him—the master of all who intercede, will possess intercessions that belong to him alone.

It is authentically reported in the two Ṣaḥīḥs that the Prophet ﷺ said: “When you hear the caller to prayer, say what he says; then invoke blessings upon me, for whoever invokes one blessing upon me, Allah will bestow ten blessings upon him. Then ask Allah to grant me al-Wasīlah, for it is a rank in Paradise that will be given to only one servant of Allah, and I hope to be that servant. Whoever asks Allah to grant me al-Wasīlah will receive my intercession on the Day of Resurrection.” He ﷺ also said to ʿUmar—when the latter sought permission to perform ʿumrah and he bade him farewell—“My brother, do not forget me in your supplication.”

Thus the Prophet ﷺ did ask his community to pray for him, but not