As we have seen, seeking a means to Allah by asking Him by means of a righteous person or prophet or through the high station of that righteous person or prophet is an innovation. As such, it is not lawful in Islam. Furthermore, it is something never practiced nor taught nor sanctioned or allowed by the Prophet (sas), his companions or the first two generations after them. There are three types of 'seeking of means' or tawassul which are lawful and legitimate in Islam as follows:
{To Allah belong the most beautiful names so call Him with them and leave those who deviate with regard to His names. They will be repaid that which they used to do.} Al-A'raaf: 180
'Deviation' with regard to Allah's names (al-ilhaad fiy asmaa' Allah) means to corrupt or change their meaning or the names themselves. This includes three forms:
This verse was revealed about one of the Companions who used to call to Allah saying "O Rahman, O Raheem". One of the mushrikeen said: "Does not Muhammad and his companions claim that they worship one lord? So what is with this one calling to two lords?"
Abu Huraira reports that the Prophet (sas) said: "Allah has 99 names - one hundred minus one. Whoever encompasses them, enters paradise. He is witr ('odd-numbered') and he loves things witr."
{...and put me in - by Your mercy - among your righteous slaves.} An-Naml: 19
This is part of a du'a by Sulaiman after witnessing the great favors of Allah upon him.
Among the du'a of the Prophet (sas), are the statements:
"O Living, O Omnipotent, by Your Mercy I seek aid."
"I seek refuge in your Compassion from Your just punishment. I seek refuge in Your pleasure from your displeasure. I seek refuge in You from You. Glorious is your face - I cannot encompass sufficient glorification of you. You are as You have glorified yourself."
{If only they - when they had wronged themselves - had come to you and asked Allah's forgiveness and the Messenger asked forgiveness for them, they would have found Allah quick to turn back [to those who turn back to Him], most Merciful.} An-Nisaa: 64
Some of the Companions asked the Prophet (sas) to ask Allah for rain when the rain was late in coming. The Prophet (sas) prayed the prayer (istisqaa') and Allah answered it and the rain came.
{O you who believe, beware of Allah and seek the means to Him and fight in His path that perhaps you may be successful.} Al-Ma'idah: 35
Also included in this area is seeking the way to Allah by love for the Prophet (sas) and following of his commands because this is a part of good deeds. In fact, love for Allah and His Messenger is the foundation of Islam upon which all other good deeds are built. Following the Prophet (sas) in all that he command and prohibited is the way to Allah's love and forgiveness. Allah said:
{Say: If you truly love Allah then follow me that Allah may love you and forgive for you your sins. Allah is most forgiving, most merciful.} Aal-'Imraan: 31
The meaning of isti'aadha is to seek refuge, shelter or protection from some evil or harm. Seeking refuge with Allah is an act of worship prescribed in Islam. After telling us of the power of repaying offense and attach with good deeds, Allah said:
{And if a bad impulse comes to you from shaitaan, seek refuge in Allah. He is surely they Hearer, the Knower.} Fusilat: 36
{And, when you recite Qur'an, seek refuge in Allah from the rejected shaitaan} An-Nahl: 98
{Say: I seek refuge with the Lord of the dawn from any evil which He created.} Al-Falaq: 1-2
To seek refuge in any other than Allah is shirk. This is based on the fact that any act which is worship when directed to Allah becomes shirk when it is redirected to other than Allah.
It is not lawful to seek refuge in other than Allah Most High. This is one of the proofs that the Words of Allah are attributes of Allah, part of Him and not a created thing. The proof of this is that the Prophet (sas) used to say: "I seek refuge in the perfect Words of Allah." Also, Allah said:
{And some men among the humans used to seek refuge in some men among the jinn and they increased them in fear.} Al-Jinn: 6
Seeking refuge with Allah is an act of worship which Allah has ordered us to practice in many verses in the Qur'an. Whoever redirects any of this to other than Allah has made a partner to Allah in his worship. The Arabs, when they camped in a valley for the night and felt afraid, used to say: "I seek refuge in the chief of this valley from the foolish among his people." Meaning that they sought the protection of the leader of the jinn of that place. The jinn were so flattered and pleased with being worshipped beside Allah did things to increase the fear of those humans so that they may continue and increase in their worship (seeking refuge) of them.