This is the kind of Prayer we should aim for, where we actually start feeling as if Allah(swt) is talking to us. This can’t be possible unless we strive day and night and beseech Allah(swt) for help with the intercession of Ahlulbayt (a.s.). Unfortunately, many people misunderstand the concept of intercession, to the extent that followers of the Ahlulbayt (a.s.) are often labeled as mushriks (polytheists) by many groups of Sunni Muslims. It is essential for us to be clear on what is shirk and what is not, and to be certain that intercession is not only allowed but encouraged in Islam.
Shirk means associating partners (in any of the exclusive divine attributes) with Allah (swt). Of course, if one believes in idols or gods besides Allah (swt), then one is a mushrik, as one violates the first condition for being a Muslim: believing in "la illaha il Allah" (there is no god but Allah). However, this is not the only form of shirk, and shirk can often be quite subtle. For example, if one follows one's own reason rather than obeying the clear commands of Allah (swt), one could be committing an act of shirk, by putting oneself at the level of Allah (swt). Also, if one thinks that a creature can create another creature independently from his Lord, then one has committed an act of shirk, because everything is created by the permission of Allah (swt). A perfect example of this is found in the Holy Qu'ran. Allah (swt) says about Prophet Jesus (a.s.):
"And [make him] a messenger to the Children of Israel, [who will say], 'Indeed I have come to you with a sign from your Lord in that I design for you from clay [that which is] like the form of a bird, then I breathe into it and it becomes a bird by permission of Allah. And I cure the blind and the leper, and I give life to the dead - by permission of Allah. And I inform you of what you eat and what you store in your houses. Indeed in that is a sign for you, if you are believers." (Holy Qu'ran 3:49, trans. Sahih International)
Jesus (a.s.) was a prophet and he was given the ability to create a bird, but only with the permission of Allah (swt). Likewise, he could raise the dead to life, but again only with the permission of Allah (swt). Jesus (a.s.) makes it clear that he could not have done either of these miracles independently, which makes it obvious that Jesus (a.s.) should neither be treated as an independent deity nor as part of a trinity, as many Christians believe.
Now, why do some incorrectly claim that seeking intercession from the Ahlul Bayt (a.s.) is a form of shirk? It is because they think we seek help from the Ahlul Bayt (a.s.) independently from Allah (swt). If we did ask the Ahlul Bayt (a.s.) for help, incorrectly thinking that they could help us without permission from Allah (swt), then we would be committing an act of shirk. However, intercession in the school of thought of the Ahlul Bayt (a.s.) means asking for help, knowing that Allah (swt) is the ultimate provider. It is just like asking someone to du'a for you, or going to the doctor to seek a cure for your illness. Of course, Allah (swt) is the only cure, but this does not mean we should not go to the doctor! The doctor, the medicine, the person who dua's for you etc. are all means or agents that act exclusively by Allah (swt)'s permission. This is the system that Allah (swt) has created for us--to receive something, we sometimes need to seek others, while indirectly receiving everything from our Lord. If we received everything we needed directly from Allah (swt), there would be no life in this dunya as we know it! We could simply ask Allah (swt) for our food, for our education, for the ability to enter paradise etc. But Allah (swt) wants us to strive for success in this life---that is the entire point of this life; it is a test!
Furthermore, some claim that it is wrong to seek intercession from the Ahlul Bayt (a.s.) because they are no longer alive (with the exception of Imam Mahdi (ajtf). It is true that their physical bodies are no longer alive, but why should that mean they cannot intercede for us? Their souls are still alive, so why should they need to walk on this Earth in order to help us? Allah (swt) states clearly, "And do not say about those who are killed in the way of Allah, 'They are dead.' Rather, they are alive, but you perceive [it] not." (The Holy Qur'an 2:154, trans. Sahih International). All of the Ahlul Bayt (a.s.) have been martyred for the sake of Allah (swt), and thus they are all still alive.
However, this does not at all mean we should not ask Allah (swt) for help directly. We should always pray to our Lord directly, but we should additionally seek intercession from the Ahlul Bayt (a.s.). One may ask why it is not sufficient to ask Allah (swt) for help. In my opinion, by seeking the intercession of the Ahlul Bayt (a.s.) we understand their importance, and more importantly we strengthen our connection with them. While the Ahlul Bayt (a.s.) are not present in this life, we must still have a connection with them to keep them as role models in our lives, and one way to establish this connection is by seeking intercession. Allah (SWT) knows whether or not we deserve something. By no means can the Ahlul Bayt (a.s.) change Allah (swt)'s view of us, but by seeking intercession, we prove that we understand and love the Ahlul Bayt (a.s.), which in turn makes us more deserving of what we seek from Allah (swt).
Therefore, intercession is clearly not shirk, and in fact it gets us closer to the Ahlul Bayt (AS), and thus closer to Allah (swt). Hence, intercession is encouraged in Islam. Of course, we understand why intercession is both permissible and encouraged, but how can we voice our beliefs over the widespread propaganda of our staunch enemies?
