Quran tells us that there exists a means of approaching al-Wasilah for us in each era, which is different than Allah and we should seek him if we want to approach toward Allah.In fact, both Tawassul and Wasilah are from the same root.When we make Tawassul, it means that we seek the Mercy of Allah by resorting to a connection who was more obedient toward Allah and, as a result, Allah answers his/her prayers faster than us.Allah may forgive us for the credit and the honor of that man/woman.It is true every where that doing a job (specially if it is asking for a big courtesy) without any connection is difficult or might be impossible.Approving such a courtesy needs credit, and the one without it should resort to the one who has the credit and the connection.This credit has been acquired by absolute obedience of Allah.Nonetheless, approving any intercession still depends on Allah: Who can intercedes with Him except the cases that He permits?(Quran 2:255)
They (i. e. , prophets and Imams) do not say anything until He orders, and they act (in all things) by His command.He knows what is before them and what is behind them and they (i. e. , those saints) offer no intercession except for anyone whom Allah accepts, and they are in awe and reverence of His (glory).(Quran 21:27-28)
As you see there are exceptions.Some specific people can intercede with Allah by His permission.But this is not granted to every people.Now, I would like to give also more references from Sunni Hadith collections in this regard.The first reference is on the Tawassul of Ibn Abbas (RA) to Imam Ali (AS).Please note that Ibn Abbas spoke the following words after the martyrdom of Imam Ali.Thus he did ask for intermediary of what you called a dead person.When the death time of Abdullah Ibn Abbas (RA) approached, he said:O Allah! I seek to approach toward you by means of Wilayah (accepting the mastery) of Ali Ibn Abi Talib.'
Sunni references:- Fada'il al-Sahaba, by Ahmad Ibn Hanbal, v2, p662, Tradition #1129 - al-Riyadh al-Nadhirah, by Muhibbuddin al-Tabari, v3, p167 - Manaqib Ahmad Please note that Ibn Abbas died in 68/687 which was 28 years after the martyrdom of Imam Ali (AS).If resorting (Tawassul) to a dead was considered association (shirk), then Ibn Abbas would not dare to say so, and Ahmad Ibn Hanbal would not have recorded it.As for resorting to alive, al-Bukhari reported that Umar used make Tawassul to al-Abbas for rain: Sahih al-Bukhari Hadith: 5.59 Narrated Anas: Whenever there was drought, 'Umar bin Al-Khattab used to ask Allah for rain through Al-'Abbas bin 'Abdul Muttalib, saying, O Allah! We used to request our Prophet to ask You for rain, and You would give us.Now we request the uncle of our Prophet to ask You for rain, so give us rain.And they would be given rain.Another related question is that: Is kissing the grave of the Prophet Shirk (association)? Is honoring the belongings of Prophet association?Sahih al-Bukhari tells us it is NOT Shirk: Sahih al-Bukhari Hadith: 1. 373 Narrated Abu Juhaifa: I saw Allah's Apostle in a red leather tent and I saw Bilal taking the remaining water with which the Prophet had performed ablution.I saw the people taking the utilized water impatiently and whoever got some of it rubbed it on his body and those who could not get any took the moisture from the others' hands.Then I saw Bilal carrying an 'Anza (a spear-headed stick) which he planted in the ground.The Prophet came out tucking up his red cloak, and led the people in prayer and offered two Rakat (facing the Ka'ba) taking 'Anza as a Sutra for his prayer.I saw the people and animals passing in front of him beyond the 'Anza.Sahih al-Bukhari Hadith: 7 750 Narrated Abu Juhaifa:I came to the Prophet while he was inside a red leather tent, and I saw Bilal taking the remaining water of the ablution of the Prophet, and the people were taking of that water and rubbing it on their faces; and whoever could not get anything of it, would share the moisture of the hand of his companion (and then rub it on his face). As we see, the great companions were honoring the drop of water which had touched the Prophet (PBUH&HF).Sayyid Sharafuddin, a famous Shia scholar, went on pilgrimage to the House of Allah during the reign of King Abdul Aziz Ibn Saud.He was one of those who were invited to the King's palace to celebrate the Eid of al- Adh'ha.When his turn came to shake the King's hand, he presented a leather bound Quran to the King.The King took the Quran and placed it on his forehead and then kissed it.Sayyid Sharafuddin said: O' King! why do you kiss and glorify the cover which is made of a goat's skin?! The king answered: I meant to glorify the Holy Quran, not the goat's skin.Sayyid Sharafuddin said: Well said O' King! We do the same when we kiss the window or the door of the Prophet's Chamber, we know that it is made of iron, and could not harm or render a benefit, but we mean what is behind the iron and wood, we mean to respect the Messenger of Allah in the same way as you meant with the Quran when you kissed its goat's skin cover.The audience was impressed by his speech and said: You are right.The King was forced to allow the pilgrims to ask for blessings from the Prophet's relics, until the order was reversed by the successor of that King.The issue is not that they are afraid of people associating others with Allah, rather, it is a political issue based on antagonizing Muslims in order to consolidate their own power and authority over Muslims, and history is the witness to what they have done.