I want to give you a scenario and I want to see what your opinion of it is inshallah. Let's say one is in pain and he exclaims one of these sentences. Which is more perferable for the Muslim?

"Ya Ali! Ask Allah to ease my pain!"

"Ya Allah, ease my pain!"

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We are permitted by the Qur’an and Ahlul bait (as) to either supplicate toward Allah directly or via medium such as the Prophet or the Ahlul bait.

Both methods are ok depending on your belief. Asking Allah through Ahlul bait doesn’t suggest Ahlul bait are independent of Allah. It simply indicates that they are the closest to Allah. Hence, it’s common sense we go through them.