Maulana Jalaaluddin Rumi رضی اللہ تعالٰی عنہ writes, 'The Saints have attained the power from Allah عزوجل to bring back the arrow which has left the bow.” -Mathnawi Sharif

Shaikh Abdul-Haqq رضی اللہ تعالٰی عنہ writes, "Imam Ghazzali رضی اللہ تعالٰی عنہ states, ''The help of a person who used to be asked for assistance during his lifetime should be asked from after his demise as well. A buzurg states, "I have seen four people who help the same, or with even more intensity, from their graves just as how they used to assist in their lifetime." A group of people state that the help of those alive is more powerful. However, I say that the help of the deceased is. The Saints (Auliya) have governance over the worlds because their souls are kept intact" – Ashiatu ­Lam'aat, Baabu Ziyaarati-Quboor

The marginal notes on Mishkaat Sharif state, "Asking for dua from the inmates of the graves, besides our Holy Prophet صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم and other Prophets, has been refuted by the Jurists (Fuqahaa). However, the Mashaaikh of the Sufiya and some Jurists have proven that it is permissible. Imam Shafee states, "The grave of Imam Musa Kaazim رضی اللہ تعالٰی عنہ proven effective for acceptance of dua," Imam Ghazzalie رضی اللہ تعالٰی عنہ , states that help can be asked for from the person who used to be asked for assistance in his lifetime after his demise.,,6.24 - Baabu Ziyaaratil-Quboor.

This extract proves that the Jurists have no disagreement in asking for dua from the Holy Prophet صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم and other Prophets. There is only a difference of opinion in asking for dua from the graves of the Saints (Auliya). The U1ama of visible knowledge have refuted it but the Sufiya and Jurists who receive Divine revealing (Kashf) have deemed it to be permissible.

Hisnul-Haseen states, "When help is sought, say, "O Servants of Allah عزوجل, help me! O Servants of Allah عزوجل, help me! O Servants of Allah عزوجل, help me!" '6.25-Pg.202

Mulla Ali Qaari رضی اللہ تعالٰی عنہ writes under this, "If the animal of a person runs awal' he should proclaim the following, ''O Servants of Allah عزوجل a, stop the animal!"6.26-Hinuth-Tahmeen.

Commentating on "lbaadullah", he writes, "Servants can mean any of the following: Angels, Muslims, jinns or the Abdaals (Rijaalul-Ghaib).6.26a-Ibid

And further states, 'This Hadith is accepted (Hasan). Travelers have a dire need for this tradition and this practice is effective."6.27-Ibid

Shah Abdul-Azeez رضی اللہ تعالٰی عنہ writes, "It should be understood that to ask for assistance from someone else, not believing that the help he gives to truly be Allah’s عزوجل and only on trust, is Haraam. However, if attention is made to Allah عزوجل and this person is thought to be the reflection (mazhar) of His help, keeping in mind the procedure and reasons of Allah’s عزوجل works, and then asks for visible assistance, it is not far from Divine Recognition (lrfaan) and is permissible in the Shariah. This from of seeking assistance (istiaanat) from someone else has also been made by the Prophet صلی اللہ علیہ وسلمs and Saints. Actually, seeking help is not only asked from other than Allah عزوجل, but is asked from Allah عزوجل Himself." - Tafseer Fathul-Azeez; Pg, 20

He further writes, ''By ascribing Allah's عزوجل works (e.g. giving children, increasing sustenance, giving health back to the sick, etc) to the impure souls of the Mushrikeen and idol worshippers, these very people become Kaafirs. However, Muslims regard these things to he from the command of AIlah عزوجل. We consider the following to be beneficial to the creation (e.g. medicine, the good dua of Allah's عزوجل pious servants) as these bondsmen ask in His court and complete the needs of people. The Imaan of these believers is not shaken through this." Tajseer Azeezi, Surah Baqarah; Pg. 460

In his book Bustaanul-Muhaditheen, Shah Abdul-Azeez رضی اللہ تعالٰی عنہ records the following stanzas of Shaikh Abul-Abbas Ahmad Zardani رضی اللہ تعالٰی عنہ, "I am the collector of the various items of my disciple (mureed) when the problems of the time afflict him. If you are in any uneasiness or hardship, proclaim. "0 Zarooq رضی اللہ تعالٰی عنہ!” and I shall immediately come to you." 6.29

Under the ayat, “فلبث فی السجن بضع سنین”6.30 Tafseer Kabeer, Roohul-Bayaan and Khaazin state, “الاستعانۃ بالناس فی دفع الضرر و الظلم جائزۃ” and beneath the verse, “فانساہ الشیطان”6.32 Tafseer Khaazin also states, “الاستعانۃ بالمخلوق فی دفع الضرر جائز” It is permissible to ask for assistance from the creation to alleviate hardships."

The following is done as an amal to find a lost item, "When something is lost and the owner wishes that Allah عزوجل return the item to him, he should stand on an elevated place facing the Qibla, recite Surah Fatiha and present its thawaab, first to the Holy Prophet صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم" and then to Sayyidi Ahmad ibn Alwaan رضی اللہ تعالٰی عنہ. Thereafter, the following dua is to be read, "O my Ahmed ibn Alwaan رضی اللہ تعالٰی عنہ. If you don't retummy belonging to me, I shall take you out of the register of the Saints (Auliya)." Through this, Allah عزوجل will return the lost object with barkat."-Durre­Mukhtaar, Vol. 3, Baabul-Luqta

Sayed Ahmad ibn Alwaan رضی اللہ تعالٰی عنہ has been called, his help was requested and the lost item was asked from him in this dua. Who taught this supplication, you might wonder? It was the eminent Faqih of the Hanafi Muzhab and author of Durr-e-­Mukhtaar, Imam Haskafi رضی اللہ تعالٰی عنہ.

Irnam Abu Hanifa رضی اللہ تعالٰی عنہ states, "O Most honored of all creation and treasure of Divine Blessings. Whatever Allah عزوجل has blessed you with, grant me some of it as well. Allah عزوجل has made you content (Raazi), so make me content.

I am aspirant generosity and there is no one besides you in the creation for Abu Hanifa رضی اللہ تعالٰی عنہ.6.34-Qasida Nu'man.

In these verses, help has explicitly been asked for from the Holy Prophet صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم

Imam Busairi رضی اللہ تعالٰی عنہ writes, "O Most excellent of all creation صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم “There is no one besides you for me to seek refuge in at the time of difIiculty."6.35-Qasida Burda.

If we had to compile every text wherein the Learned and Jurists of Islam asked the Holy Prophet صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم" for help, many joumals would be required. We make do just this much.

From an extract of Shaami, in the discussion of undertaking a journey to visit the graves, Imam Shafee رضی اللہ تعالٰی عنہ states, "Whenever I am laced with a need, I presenl myself in the mazaar of Imam Abu Hanifa رضی اللہ تعالٰی عنہ and, through this barkat, my need is fulfilled."

Mulla Ali Qaari رضی اللہ تعالٰی عنہ, records the statement of Hadrat Shaikh Abdul-Qadir Gawthal-Azam رضی اللہ تعالٰی عنہ, "Whoever asks for my assistance in any problem or sorrow, his difficulty will be removed. Whoever takes my name and calls out to me in any hardship, his hardship will be alleviated, and whoever uses me as an intermediary (waseela) to Allah عزوجل in any need, it will be fulfilled."6.36-Nuxhatul-Khaatiril-Faatir fi Tarjamati Sayyidi Abdil-Qaadir Pg. 61

At the same juncture, it is written that Hadrat Ghauthal-Azam رضی اللہ تعالٰی عنہ himself explains the method to perform Namaaz-e-Ghauthia: Two rakaats nafl should be read, with Swab Ikhlaas 11 times in both. After making Salaam Durood aod Salaam should be read 11 times each. Then, take 11 steps towards Baghdad Sharif and, on every step the name of Hadrat Ghauthul-Azam رضی اللہ تعالٰی عنہ should be taken and the need submitted. These two stanzas must also be read,