Discover the meaning of the term Al-wsyla (وسيلة) in Islamic vocabulary.
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Updated on 11 April 2026 at 1:05 AM
📖 1 min readIt is that by which one draws near to another.
That by which one draws near to another and by which arrival at him is attained.
A rank in Paradise; that is established in Sahih Muslim from the words of the Messenger of God (blessings and peace be upon him). The philologists said: al-wasila is the rank with the king; and al-wasila: attaining a thing by desire. Its reality toward God: honoring His path through knowledge, worship, and diligent pursuit.
Seeking to attain a thing by desire; and al-wasila is that by which one draws near to another. Mentioned by al-Raghib (al-Mufradat, p. 523).
It is that by which one draws near to another so that arrival at him is attained.
﴿يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ ٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ وَٱبْتَغُوٓا۟ إِلَيْهِ ٱلْوَسِيلَةَ وَجَـٰهِدُوا۟ 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 المائدة : 35
﴿أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ ٱلَّذِينَ يَدْعُونَ يَبْتَغُونَ إِلَىٰ رَبِّهِمُ ٱلْوَسِيلَةَ أَيُّهُمْ أَقْرَبُ وَيَرْجُونَ رَحْمَتَهُۥ وَيَخَافُونَ عَذَابَهُۥٓ ۚ إِنَّ عَذَابَ رَبِّكَ كَانَ مَحْذُورًۭا﴾
« 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. »
Surah الإسراء : 57