Praise be to Allaah.

There are two different opinions as to what this hadeeth means: 

The first view is that it means, Do not ask any created being by the Face of Allaah. If you want to ask any created being for something, do not ask by the Face of Allaah, because nothing may be asked for by the Face of Allaah except Paradise, and people cannot give Paradise, so created beings should not be asked for anything by the Face of Allaah at all.  

The second view is: if you ask of Allaah, if you are asking for Paradise and the means to get there, then ask by the Face of Allaah. If you are asking for some worldly thing, then do not ask by the Face of Allaah. But matters of the Hereafter may be asked for by the Face of Allaah, for example you could say, “I ask You by Your Face to save me from Hell.” The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) sought refuge in the Face of Allaah when Allaah revealed the words (interpretation of the meaning):

“Say: ‘He has power to send torment on you from above” [al-An’aam 6:65]

He (the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him)  said, “A’oodhu bi Wajhika (I seek refuge in Your Face).”

“or from under your feet,” [al-An’aam 6:65]

He (the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him)  said, “A’oodhu bi Wajhika (I seek refuge in Your Face).”

“or to cover you with confusion in party strife, and make you to taste the violence of one another”[al-An’aam 6:65]

He (the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said, “This is less serious.” 

If it is said that both opinions are correct, then that is possible.