The question addresses whether it is permissible to read the supplication of Tawassul while in prostration, particularly the last part of it.
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1 Answer
Peace be upon you and God's mercy and blessings.
- There is no specific text indicating the desirability of prostration during the supplication of Tawassul, as God knows best. However, even though there is no specific text regarding this, it can be said that prostration is recommended since it is a form of desirable prostration that has been mentioned in texts. Some of these include:
1) Prostration is recommended with the intention of humility or glorification to God Almighty. It is one of the greatest and most emphasized acts of worship. There is no act more distressing to Satan than seeing a son of Adam in prostration, as he was commanded to prostrate but disobeyed, while the son of Adam obeyed and was saved. The servant is closest to God when in prostration, and it is a practice of the repentant. It is recommended to prolong it; for instance, Adam prostrated for three days and nights, and Ali ibn al-Hussein (peace be upon them) prostrated on rough stones until he was counted to have said: 'There is no god but God, truly, truly; there is no god but God, in worship and humility; there is no god but God, in faith and affirmation.' The truthful one (peace be upon him) would prostrate until it was said that he was asleep, and Musa ibn Ja'far (peace be upon him) would prostrate every day from sunrise until noon.
2) Prostration is recommended as an expression of gratitude for a renewed blessing, the removal of a calamity, or recalling past blessings, or for the success in performing an obligatory act or a voluntary act, or doing good, even if it is reconciling between two people.
Regarding the specific part mentioned ('O my masters and my lords'), it is important to note that while the address is directed to the infallibles (peace be upon them), prostration should not be made to them. Rather, it must be directed to God Almighty and fall under one of the mentioned and permissible categories.
Here is the text of the scholars' fatwa regarding prostration to others than God:
It is forbidden to prostrate to anyone other than God Almighty, as it is the ultimate form of submission and should be reserved for the one who is the epitome of greatness and majesty. The prostration of the angels was not to Adam but was a direction for them, just as the prostration of Jacob and his sons was not to Joseph but to God Almighty in gratitude for what He had given him in kingship. Therefore, what some of the Shia do in the form of prostration at the grave of the Commander of the Faithful and other Imams (peace be upon them) is problematic, unless they intend it as a prostration of gratitude to God Almighty for granting them the opportunity to visit.
May you be successful in all good.
Source: Commentary on Al-Urwah Al-Wuthqa - Vol. 2 - Section on Various Types of Prostration - M22 + 23 + 24