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Tawassul

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Tawassul is an Arabic word originated from wa-sa-la- wasilah (Template:Lang-ar). The wasilah is a means by which a person,goal or objective is approached, attained or achieved. However, according to Ibn Manzur (d. 711/1311) quoted in Lisān al-'Arab, Tawassul comes from a verbal noun, wasilah, which means "a station with King, a rank, or act of devotion.

Interpretations and Ritual

Tawassul is an invocation which is commonly used in west Java at grave visiting rituals and some other Islamic observances. It is formed of two rituals; Firstly the persons considered to be mediators (wasilah) between the supplicant and Allah are named, Secondly an offering is made for their benefit. The people who perform the tawassul hold contrasting understandings of what can be attained through it. Tawassul is also adapted for diverse settings, however the elements of the ritual remain the same.
Many Islamic scholars cite the Qur'anic verse

O you who believe! be careful of (your duty to) Allah and seek means (wasilah) of nearness to Him and strive hard in His way that you may be successful

as referring to the wasilah or the mediator. According to Raghib Isfahan and Sayyid Muhammad Husayn Tabataba'i al-wasilah means to reach a certain goal through desire, inclination and willingness, and in fact wasilah towards God means observance of His path with knowledge and worship through adherence to the Sharia.
However according to Albani the wasilah is a thing that is used to obtain closeness and favour of Allah.
Some of the religious scholars have interpreted wasilah mentioned in the Quranic verse as faith and good deeds while others have explained the word as the prophets, the righteous and favourites of Allah. According to them the verse reveals that a person seeking means of approach to Allah will have in the first instance a believer and Muttaqeen (a person who fear Allah). Thus wasilah does not amount to associating partner with Allah but rather reaffirms the oneness of Allah. According to Shi'a scholars seeking Intercession (tawassul) is accepted and even advised. Shia Scholars refer to Quranic verses such as 5:3, 12:97 and 12:98 and justify its permissibility. During the tawassul prayer Shia Muslims call on the names of the prophet Muhammad and the Ahl al-Bayt and use them as their intercessors to God.

References

  1. ^ Julian, Millie (2008). "Supplicating,Naming,offering:Tawassul in West Java". Journal of Southeast Asian Studies. 39 (1): 107–122. doi:10.1017/S0022463408000052.
  2. Shirazi, Abd al-Karim (2000). Tawassul-Seeking a way unto Allah. Ahlul Bayt World Assembly.
  3. ^ Tahir-ul-Qadri, Muhammad (2001). Islamic Concept of Intermediation (Tawassul). Minhaj-ul-Quran Publication,Lahore. pp. 42–44. ISBN 978-9693208825.
  4. Donaldson, Dwight M. (1933). The Shi'ite Religion: A History of Islam in Persia and Irak. BURLEIGH PRESS. pp. 339–358.

Further reading

  • Chiabotti, Francesco, Shafa'a (Intercession), in Muhammad in History, Thought, and Culture: An Encyclopedia of the Prophet of God (2 vols.), Edited by C. Fitzpatrick and A. Walker, Santa Barbara, ABC-CLIO, 2014. ISBN 1610691776

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