The Zaydi Madhab on Istighatha, Tawassul, Intercession, and Saying “Ya Ali”

It is NOT PERMISSIBLE to call upon ANYONE except ALLAH ﷻ

Tawassul

Tawassul is perfectly permitted in the Sharīʿah. ʿAllāmah Majīdīn al-Muʾayyadī (may Allah reward him) said in his Tuhfat Sharḥ al-Zalaf:

**“As for tawassul, sufficient proof is the statement of Allah in His revelation to His Messenger:
{If they had only, when they were unjust to themselves, come unto thee and asked Allah’s forgiveness, and the Messenger had asked forgiveness for them, they would have found Allah indeed Oft-Returning, Most Merciful} (Q. 4:64).

And {But some of the desert Arabs believe in Allah and the Last Day, and look on their payments as pious gifts bringing them nearer to Allah and obtaining the prayers of the Messenger. Aye, indeed they bring them nearer (to Him): soon will Allah admit them to His Mercy: for Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful} (Q. 9:99).

And {And pray on their behalf. Verily thy prayers are a source of security for them} (Q. 9:103).”**

Intercession & Saying “Yā ʿAlī”

That exaggeration to which the questioner refers among the Shiʿa—by which he probably means our brothers among the Imamis—does not exist among the Zaydis. The foundation upon which Zaydism is established in its loyalty to the Prophet’s Household (al-ʿitrah) is not an emotional, lamentational loyalty, but rather a loyalty of pure adherence and proper conduct according to their teachings, in belief and in practice.

Our visits to the graves of the Imams, peace be upon them, consist of supplication and seeking forgiveness. Seeking intercession through the righteous in the presence of the Imams of the Household is permissible, as is seeking blessing (tabarruk), without exaggeration, excess, or directing any act of worship to anyone other than God, Exalted is He. Supplication is sought from God alone.

The question does not require lengthy elaboration; rather, it is simply a statement of the situation. What some of our Shiʿi brothers practice is not found in Yemen. Rather, extremists among the opponents have exaggerated the condition of the Zaydis in Yemen and labeled them as “grave-worshippers.” Seeing with one’s own eyes is not the same as hearing. Whoever observes the condition of the Zaydis bears witness to their sound beliefs and conduct. If any ignorant person errs, the scholars correct him and guide him to the proper actions. We do not know of any group that adopts doctrinal extremism as is found among some sects, and praise be to God.

If it is said: How is one to interpret some people’s utterances such as “O ʿAlī” or “O Ḥusayn”? And do the Zaydis permit seeking help from other than God, especially from the dead?

We say: These expressions (“O ʿAlī,” “O Ḥusayn”) are rejected according to the principles of Zaydism. If the intent by them is supplication to other than God Almighty, seeking help, seeking rescue, or reliance, then that is polytheism by consensus. If the Imamis consider them to be a form of intercession while directing supplication to God and using these Imams of the Prophet’s Household as a means, then this is a dubious claim and an accusation that contradicts the sound foundational principles of the Household, and it is undoubtedly among the manifestations of exaggeration and excess. Yes: Zaydism absolutely does not permit seeking help from anyone other than God Almighty, whether living or dead: “You alone we worship, and You alone we seek for help.”

Answered by: الأستاذ الكاظم الزيدي (al-Ustādh al-Kāẓim al-Zaydī), may God grant him success.

O God, send blessings upon Muhammad and upon the family of Muhammad.