Question:

What do the learned Ulama and the Learned Muftis say concerning whether it is permissible to say “Ya Rasoolallah” sallal laahu alaihi wasallam and Ya Wali Allah? Is it permissible or not to seek assistance from the Prophets and saints and to say “Ya Ali Mushkil Kusha” in times of need? Please answer this query with your signature and seal, so that I may be confident and clear in explaining this to the people. Also please translate in Urdu the verses of the Quran and Hadith etc. where ever they appear in your answer.

The Answer:

It is permissible as long as you accept them as the servants of Allah and wasila in the Court of Allah and to fully accept that they have been blessed with this excellence through the permission and Will of Allah. One must have complete faith in the fact that without Allah’s Will, even one atom can not move. And without doubt, this is the belief of every Muslim. To think contrary to this concerning the Muslims is to falsely accuse them, which itself is haraam. Without Allah’s giving, none can give even one grain, one can not hear a single alphabet, and one can not even blink once. Now, undoubtedly, to call to them truly and sincerely believing this, is totally permissible. It is evident from the Hadith of Jaame Tirmizi etc. that the Holy Prophet (Sall Allaho alaihi wasallam)himself taught the following dua to a blind man. He said that after Namaaz he should read: “Ya Rasoolullah (Sallal laahu alaihi wasallam), I turn my attention towards my Creator through the wasila of Huzoor (Sall Allaho alaihi wasallam)in seeking what I wish for, so that this need of mine is fulfilled.”

In some narrations it has been narrated as follows: “So that the Prophet (Sall Allaho alaihi wasallam)may fulfill this need of mine.” The blind person read this dua and was immediately able to see.

It is in the Hadith of Tibraani etc. that in the time of Hazrat Uthman-e-Ghani (radi Allahu anhu), a companion by the name of Hazrat Uthman bin Haneef (radi Allahu anhu) gave this dua to a Sahabi or Taabi’ee to recite. After Namaaz, he said, “Ya Rasoolallah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam), I turn my attention towards Almighty Allah whilst making the Prophet (Sall Allaho alaihi wasallam) my wasila.” Even his need was fulfilled. Thus, the Ulama-e-Kiraam said this to be effective in having ones needs fulfilled.

It is also as follows in the Hadith: “When you wish to call out and ask help, then you say this, ‘Assist me O servants of Allah.’”

It is in Fatawa Khairiyah as follows: “Ya Sheikh Abdal Qaadir Jilani Shai an Lil’lah is a call. What reason is there for it to be prohibited?”

This humble servant (Aala Hazrat) has written a booklet on this topic by the name of “Anwaarul Intiba Fi Haali Nida Ya Rasoolallah” (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam). Peruse this booklet and you will find it very clear that in every era and every time, the Ulama and the pious have always called for help from the beloveds of Allah in times of difficulty. According to the Wahabis, from the Sahaba’s time onwards, all the pious servants of Allah would be branded as Mushriks (Allah Forbid). “Wa laa Howla wa Laa Quw’wata il’la bil’laahil Aliyil Azeem”