What does « Intercession / Means » mean in the Quran?

Discover the meaning of the word Intercession / Means (وسل) in the Quran, with 2 verses in which it appears, and a detailed explanation from Al-Raghib al-Asfahani's Mufradat fi gharib al-Qur'an.

وسل

Intercession / Means

Root: س - ل

Creed (aqida) 2 verses

Updated on 29 May 2026 at 7:00 AM

📖 1 min read

Definition of Intercession / Means

Al-Wasīlah refers to the means of drawing near.

The Almighty says: 'And seek the means of approach to Him' (Al-Ma'idah 35).

Tawassala means to use an intermediary to draw near to Allah.

Intercession / Means in the Quran (2)

Meccan: 1 Medinan: 1

Distribution of verses by surah

Al-Maida 1

Al-Isra 1

Surah Al-Maida : 35 Medinan

﴿يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ ٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ وَٱبْتَغُوٓا۟ إِلَيْهِ ٱلْوَسِيلَةَ وَجَٰهِدُوا۟ فِى سَبِيلِهِۦ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُفْلِحُونَ﴾

O you who have believed, fear Allah and seek the means [of nearness] to Him and strive in His cause that you may succeed.

Surah Al-Isra : 57 Meccan

﴿أُو۟لَٰٓئِكَ ٱلَّذِينَ يَدْعُونَ يَبْتَغُونَ إِلَىٰ رَبِّهِمُ ٱلْوَسِيلَةَ أَيُّهُمْ أَقْرَبُ وَيَرْجُونَ رَحْمَتَهُۥ وَيَخَافُونَ عَذَابَهُۥٓ إِنَّ عَذَابَ رَبِّكَ كَانَ مَحْذُورًا﴾

Those whom they invoke seek means of access to their Lord, [striving as to] which of them would be nearest, and they hope for His mercy and fear His punishment. Indeed, the punishment of your Lord is ever feared.