The reader should now be in a position to make his own conclusions after going through the discussion at length. Just to aid the young mind, the following conclusions can be made:

1. One has to look for means to attach ones belief, actions and deeds to Allah for otherwise they will be “hanging in air” and will be of no benefit. This is called Wasilah.

2. The Wasilah has to be the one chosen by Allah Himself and not one that is man made. That is the main difference between Tawassul and Shirk.

3. The Almighty (SWT) Himself Has kept some means to reach Him.

4. The most powerful and superior means to reach Allah is Tawassul of Muhammad (S) and his Ahlul Bayt (‘a) as they are special beings, closest to Allah and have been specifically chosen to be the Wasilah to reach Him.

5. Asking Allah by their names or asking them to pray to Allah on ones behalf is right. In fact a dua is not dua if not done through their means.

6. Calling them directly for assistance (Istighatha) is right and acceptable provided one understands that the Ultimate Giver is Allah and all the power belongs to Him. They (Ahlul Bayt) have no powers independent of Allah, will not do anything against His wishes and will not, and cannot, change Allah's decisions.

7. There is a special type of Wasilah - the recitation of Hadithul Kisaa. By just mentioning this event, one’s duas are accepted and stress and grief relieved.

8. These special people, though physically not present in front of us, are alive and can have an effect on our lives.

Its time the youths woke up and took a deeper look at their religion and equip themselves with the relevant knowledge to defend their faith. This can only be done when they come closer to the mosque, “Mimbar” and the learned scholars (Ulamaa). Hand in hand with this, it’s time the elders and the scholars realize the challenges faced by our youth and redirect their energies and priorities in this direction.

The Ulamaa too should make themselves more accessible to the youth and make it easy for the youth to approach them and identify with them. For otherwise there are many pseudo well-wishers and spiritually-destructive models for the youth that can attract the youth more skillfully to the detriment of the whole society, present and future.

May Allah (SWT) keep us on His path by the Wasilah of Muhammad and his Ahlul Bayt (‘a).

اللهم أدخلن ف ك خري أدخلت فيه ممدا وآل ممد، وأخرجن من ك سوء أخرجت منه ممدا وآل ممد صلواتك عليه وعليهم أجعني

Wa Billah al-Tawfiq
17th Sha’baan 1427 A.H.