al-Tawassul fi Kitab Allah
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- الجامعة الإسلامية بالمدينة المنورة
al-Tawassul fi Kitab Allah (al-Tawassul fī Kitāb Allāh ‘Azza wa-Jall, "Seeking Means of Nearness in the Book of God") is a theological treatise by Talal bin Mustafa Arqasus that examines the concept, categories, and lawful forms of tawassul (seeking means of nearness to God in supplication) as established in the text of the Qur'an .
Purpose and Scope
The author states that tawassul is one of the most critical subjects in Islamic doctrine and a frequent point of error due to misconceptions, incorrect premises, and blind imitation . Arqasus composed the treatise to resolve existing disputes over the practice by returning to the Qur'an and the prophetic Sunnah, aiming to provide a decisive reference that unites believers upon textual guidance .
Content and Method
Drawing primarily upon Qur'anic verses and classical exegesis, the work delineates the legitimate paths of tawassul prescribed in scripture :
- Tawassul through God's Names, Attributes, and Grace: The author demonstrates that invoking God through His divine names, attributes, bounty, and mercy is among the highest forms of supplication, as exemplified in Surah al-Fatiha .
- Tawassul through Sincere Faith and Righteous Deeds: The book highlights numerous Qur'anic passages where believers invoke their faith and adherence to divine revelation as a means to seek forgiveness, such as the prayer: الَّذِينَ يَقُولُونَ رَبَّنَا إِنَّنَا آمَنَّا فَاغْفِرْ لَنَا ذُنُوبَنَا وَقِنَا عَذَابَ النَّارِ ("Those who say: Our Lord, indeed we have believed, so forgive us our sins and protect us from the punishment of the Fire") [Al 'Imran: 16] . It emphasizes prescribed acts of worship such as the obligatory prayers, night vigils (qiyam al-layl), and Qur'anic recitation as primary deeds of devotion .
- Tawassul through the Supplication of Living Righteous Believers: The author addresses the legitimacy of asking living righteous persons to pray on one's behalf, citing the Qur'anic account of Abraham promising to pray for his father .
In the conclusion, Arqasus underscores that valid tawassul relies on lawful avenues and personal deeds earned through individual effort . He warns against seeking intercession through the status (jah), essence, or claimed rights of created beings without scriptural sanction, characterizing such approaches as deviations that historically led past nations into shirk .
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