Q 2: Is Tawassul permissible (supplicating to Allah by virtue of the honor or status of someone? Is it permissible to associate with and befriend Fasiqs (those flagrantly violating Islamic law)?
A: According to the majority of scholars, this is of the Bid`ahs (innovations in Islam) that have not been ordained by Allah. However, it is permissible to seek Tawassul to Allah by virtue of His Names, Attributes, Tawhid (monotheism), Love, Faith, and righteous deeds. Allah (Glorified be He) states:
And (all) the Most Beautiful Names belong to Allâh, so call on Him by them
He (Glorified be He) did not order people to call on Him by Muhammad, a prophet, a Wali (pious person), in the name of the ancient House (the Haram) or the like. Instead, Allah states: And (all) the Most Beautiful Names belong to Allâh, so call on Him by them In this Ayah (Qur'anic verse), Allah orders Muslims to supplicate to Him by His Names, Attributes, and Tawhid as stated in many Hadith. The Prophet (peace be upon him) once stated, "O Allah! I ask You bearing witness that You are Allah and there is no deity but You, the One, the Self-Sufficient Master, Who begets not nor was He begotten, and to Whom there is none co-equal or comparable."
Another example is the Hadith narrating the story of the three men who were trapped in a cave after taking refuge in it from a rainy night. After they entered the cave, a rock fell blocking the way out. They decided among themselves that the only way out was to seek Tawassul to Allah by virtue of their sincere righteous deeds, and they did. One of them sought Tawassul by virtue of his being dutiful to his parents, the other by virtue of his abstaining from committing Zina (premarital sexual intercourse and/or adultery), and the third by virtue of his rendering back a trust and Allah saved them.
This denotes that a servant can seek Tawassul to Allah by virtue of Allah's Names, or Tawhid or by virtue of the servant's faith and love for Allah, belief in and love of the Prophet (peace be upon him), or fulfillment of Islamic obligations by obeying Allah and abstaining from His Prohibitions. All of these are among the permissible forms of Tawassul and are more likely to be answered.
As for associating and sitting with Fasiqs, it is not permissible as they draw their associates to Fisq (flagrant violation of Islamic law) and misguidance. However, if someone associates with Fasiqs to call them to Allah, denounce their evil acts, guide them to what is good, command them to do good and forbid them from evil, there is no harm in this. In fact, a Muslim is commanded to do so. On the other hand, it is not permissible for Muslims to befriend Fasiqs, sit, and eat with them and enjoy their company.