The Real Meaning of Tawassul (entreat)

Hawzah News Agency-Grand Ayatollah Wahid Khorasani explains the meaning of Tawassul in Islam:

Isn’t Tawassul from the Ahl-ul-Bayt (the Household of the Prophet Mohammad) in contradiction with the fact that all the matters lie at the hands of Allah? Why do people, then, ask their needs from the Ahl-ul-Bayt?

Answer: The topic of Tawassul is among the discussions of great depth in Islamic culture and its explanation requires a detailed discussion. However, we shall point out some points briefly; if Shias do Tawassul from Ahl-ul-Bayt and ask things from them, it is from the viewpoint that they are Allah’s appointees and links between Him and His creation. Whatever reaches us through them is by His permission and grace. He has stated in verse 35 of Surah Al Maida:

 وابتغوا الیه الوسیلة

 Meaning, “find an intermediary in order to gain the proximity of God”. He wants us to find an intermediary while asking from Him and the best intermediaries are those people whom He Himself has appointed and exalted to the highest station of proximity. They are closest to Him amongst all His creations. Therefore in Tawassul Prayer we make the Ahl-ul-Bayt our intercessor in His court and invoke Him through them. 
What can be concluded from the verses of Holy Quran is that the Prophets too, by the permission of Allah, took steps to solve the problems of the people and by His permission performed such tasks that were beyond human capacity. Not only is such an act not idolatry, rather it is in full compliance with His Unity in letter and spirit as all these acts take place with His orders. 
In verse number 49 of Surah Al-e-Imran it is stated that the Prophet Jesus said: 

انی اخلق لکم من الطین کهیئة الطیر فانفخ فیه فیکون طیرا باذن الله و ابرئ الاکمه و الابرص و احی الموتی باذن الله
 

Is it possible to blame the Prophet Jesus of idolatry? Drawing a parallel, we can say that if the Prophet Jesus can give life to the dead by His permission, while it not being idolatry, the commission of such acts from the successors of the prophets and saints is not idolatry either, but is in complete compliance with His Unity.

End.