Our Wasilah

بِسۡمِ ٱللهِ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

The following is a transcript of discourse delivered by Mawlana Wafi’ Muhammad. 

If we have to meet any important dignitary, it is necessary that we get all the knowledge of the protocol.  That is just for ordinary human beings; what about the meeting with the Lord?  Allah (s.w.t.) Wants us to approach Him in a particular way.  In order to get this done properly, He Gives us a Command found in Surah al-Ma’idah: 

سُوۡرَةُ المَائدة

يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ ٱتَّقُواْ ٱللَّهَ وَٱبۡتَغُوٓاْ إِلَيۡهِ ٱلۡوَسِيلَةَ وَجَـٰهِدُواْ فِى سَبِيلِهِۦ لَعَلَّڪُمۡ تُفۡلِحُونَ (٣٥) 

O you who believe!  Do your duty to Allah, seek the means of approach unto Him, and strive (with might and main) in His Cause: that you may prosper. (Surah al-Ma’idah:35) 

Scholars discuss this particular principle in many ways but one thing they all agree on is that if we want to get to Allah (s.w.t.), we have to follow Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.).  Why?  Because he already met Allah (s.w.t.) and he is already aware of the etiquettes of getting to Allah (s.w.t.).  So,in essence, what Allah (s.w.t.) is really Telling us is that the believers must follow the Prophet (s.a.w.).  We must make him our wasilah.  A wasilah is like a middle person; therefore, we make the Prophet (s.a.w.) our means of getting closer to Allah (s.w.t.). 

We worship only Allah (s.w.t.) and do not ascribe any partners with Him.  This is something that is very clear to all Muslims.  We can go directly to Allah (s.w.t.) because He Says, “If you call on Me, I will Respond.”  But there are many things which require some bit of information or example in order that we may maximise our capacity and capability in the short period of time.  That is why we need to tread that path that will not waste our time and resources.  That is called Swirath al-Mustaqim. 

Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.) is the best model and vehicle to take us to Allah.  Because Allah Says: 

سُوۡرَةُ الاٴحزَاب

وَدَاعِيًا إِلَى ٱللَّهِ بِإِذۡنِهِۦ وَسِرَاجً۬ا مُّنِيرً۬ا (٤٦) 

And as one who invites to Allah’s (Grace) by His Leave, and as a Lamp spreading Light. (Surah al-Ahzab:46) 

Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.) invites us to go to Allah (s.w.t.) with him.  He takes us along and shows us the path.  The path to Allah (s.w.t.) is Swirath al-Mustaqim; that is the straight path; for which we always pray.  Allah (s.w.t.) Says about the Prophet (s.a.w.): 

سُوۡرَةُ الزّخرُف

فَٱسۡتَمۡسِكۡ بِٱلَّذِىٓ أُوحِىَ إِلَيۡكَ‌ۖ إِنَّكَ عَلَىٰ صِرَٲطٍ۬ مُّسۡتَقِيمٍ۬ (٤٣) 

So hold you fast to the Revelation Sent down to you: verily you are on Straight Way. (Surah az-Zukhruf:43) 

If the Prophet (s.a.w.) is on the straight path and we want to get on the straight path; what, then, do we have to do?  We have to follow him.  As a result, Allah (s.w.t.) Says to us: 

سُوۡرَةُ آل عِمرَان

قُلۡ إِن كُنتُمۡ تُحِبُّونَ ٱللَّهَ … (٣١) 

Say: “If you do love Allah, follow me ...” (Surah Ali ‘Imran:31) 

That is why Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.) is our wasilah.  He is that one who connects us with our Lord.  Why do we need to follow him if Allah (s.w.t.) Gave us a Book of which is Guidance?  We will see, for example, even in the time of the companions, they always looked towards the Prophet (s.a.w.) for help and guidance; even though they were taught the Qur’an directly from him.  One simple example is that he taught us the times for swalah.  Allah (s.w.t.) Commands us to establish our swalah.  However, nowhere in the Qur’an is the specific period of timings mentioned.  He taught us how to follow the straight path to get to Allah (s.w.t.).  So, when Allah (s.w.t.) Says seek the means of approach unto him, we can take it to possibly mean follow the Prophet (s.a.w.) and make him our model and guide.  He is Swirath al-Mustaqim. 

The next important point is that Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.) is very concerned for the believers.  Can we imagine how he will feel if we are deliberately going on the wrong path?  And he is connected to us, as Allah (s.w.t.) Says: 

سُوۡرَةُ الحُجرَات

وَٱعۡلَمُوٓاْ أَنَّ فِيكُمۡ رَسُولَ ٱللَّهِ‌ۚ … (٧) 

And know that among you is Allah’s Messenger … (Surah al-Hujraat:7) 

And the Qur’an is a Message for all times.  Allah (s.w.t.) did not say it was only relevant when he was alive.  Has his mission come to an end, or does it still continue?  There are those who keep in constant contact with the Prophet (s.a.w.).  In other places in the Qur’an, Allah (s.w.t.) Says he and the angels pray for us: 

سُوۡرَةُ النِّسَاء

… وَٱسۡتَغۡفَرَ لَهُمُ ٱلرَّسُولُ … (٦٤) 

… and the Messenger had asked forgiveness for them ... (Surah an-Nisa’:64) 

If we want to get close to Allah (s.w.t.), then we must get as close to His Beloved (s.a.w.) as much as possible.  Any form of disrespect to him will render our deeds null and void.  We must get closer to Allah (s.w.t.) by showing love and honour for Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.) and following his way.  We must connect to Allah (s.w.t.) through him, and insha’Allah, we will have no regrets.  May Allah (s.w.t.) Increase our love and attachment to His Beloved (s.a.w.) and through him as our wasilah, may we attain closeness to Him, insha’Allah.