Answer:
Dear Farzam, May peace, mercy, and blessings of Allah be upon you.
The phrase Ya Ali Madad(O Ali, help us) is based on a figure of speech in Arabic rhetoric called Majaz al-Isnad(figurative attribution). It attributes the act of giving help to Imam Ali (peace be upon him) figuratively, not literally. The actual belief behind this phrase, as explained by Shia scholars, is not that Imam Ali has independent power to help, but rather that he is a means (wasilah) through whom one seeks God\'s help. It\'s similar to saying, O Ali, by your status and nearness to Allah, ask Allah to help us. This concept is grounded in Qur’anic examples like: The earth throws up her burdens(Surah Al-Zalzalah: 2), where the earth is said to do something that is, in reality, done by Allah. Therefore, such expressions are considered linguistically valid and theologically sound as long as the ultimate source of help is understood to be Allah.
Saying Ya Ali Madad does not amount to shirk (associating partners with Allah) as long as the intention is to seek help through Imam Ali’s closeness to God, not that he gives or acts independently. Shirk only arises when a person believes that Imam Ali or any other being can give blessings, provision, or protection without Allah’s permission or power. This would violate the belief in Allah’s exclusive Lordship (Tawheed al-Rububiyyah). Thus, the phrase is permissible and not shirk when used with correct belief, but it can become problematic if one attributes independent divine qualities to the Imam.
Tawassul (seeking means to God) is not restricted to the infallible Imams (a.s.). It can also be made through righteous and pious individuals, such as companions of the Prophet or saints like Abbas ibn Ali, provided the belief remains that they are intercessors, not the source of divine help. Islamic teachings, including Qur’anic verses like Seek the means to Allah(5:35), allow and encourage seeking closeness to God through His beloved servants. Just as one uses patience and prayer as means to seek divine support, righteous figures serve as spiritual means—not as independent agents of power.