Can a Muslim Ask Religious People to Forgive My Sins?
Dear scholars, As-Salamu `alaykum. I accepted Islam few months ago but my parents, wife and children are still followers of another religion. Could you please guide me so I can introduce them to Islam properly? Also, can you tell me, is it permissible in Islam to ask another human being such as an imam or higher spiritual person to forgive our sins or do we always have to d irect our prayers to Allah? Does any other being including `Ali ibn Abi Talib (may Allah be pleased with him) or Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) have the power to accept prayers and/or to forgive our sins? Or is it the exclusive right of Allah? Jazakum Allah khayran.