[2:20 - 3:36]

“Tawassul differs from istishfā‘ (requesting Shafā‘ah) because the mustashfi‘ requests Shafā‘ah, and if Shafā‘ah is sought from the creation, that means he is seeking it from other than Allāh. As for the mutawassil (the one seeking tawassul) -based on common day usage- he is asking Allāh, but doing so by means of someone else. So istishfā‘ is asking other than Allāh, whereas waseelah is asking Allāh by means of someone else; through the sanctity (hurmah) or standing (jaah) of that individual. And this type of Tawassul; i.e. by means of someone's person, standing, or sanctity, is not permissible - because it is: - transgression in du‘ā, - an act of innovation, - and something which leads to Shirk. As for requesting Shafā‘ah from the creation -those of whom are incapable of making du‘ā- i.e. those who are dead, absent, etc., this is making du‘a to other than Allāh, which is major Shirk!