وسل

Core meaning

The means by which one seeks to draw near to what is higher than oneself.

Uses

1. ٱلْوَسِيلَة → "the means of nearness" : the path one seeks toward God, not the end.

   • «وَٱبْتَغُوٓا۟ إِلَيْهِ ٱلْوَسِيلَةَ» — "seek toward Him the means of nearness" (5:35)
   • «يَبْتَغُونَ إِلَىٰ رَبِّهِمُ ٱلْوَسِيلَةَ» — "seek, toward their Guardian, the means of nearness" (17:57)

Evidence from the text

In 5:35, those who have believed are commanded to seek toward God "the means of nearness", between guarding themselves and striving in His way: the وَسِيلَة is a path one takes, not the end one reaches.

In 17:57, the word turns against those who invoke others than God: the very ones they invoke "seek, toward their Guardian, the means of nearness", hope for His benevolence and fear His punishment. Those taken for intermediaries themselves seek to draw near.

Distinctions

• شفع — joining another's request; وسل, the means one seeks oneself in order to draw near

See also

قرب (the nearness one aims at)