I understood from the lesson that seeking nearness to Allah through a deceased person, without directing any part of worship to him, is a religious innovation (bid'ah). Is my understanding correct?

Question:
He says: Honorable Shaykh, may Allah grant you success. I understood from the lesson that seeking nearness to Allah through a deceased person, but without directing any part of worship to him, is a religious innovation (bid'ah). Is my understanding correct?

Answer:
Yes, that is correct. Tawassul (seeking nearness to Allah through a means) is divided into categories, but the prohibited tawassul is divided into two types. The first is seeking from Allah through the mediation of a created being, without directing any part of worship to him, but merely making him a means; this is a religious innovation (bid'ah). As for the second type, if something is directed to the means, such as slaughtering animals, making vows, or the like, this is major shirk (associating partners with Allah). This is what the grave-worshippers do. You see them slaughtering at the graves, making vows, and calling upon them for aid. Yes. So this is major shirk. Yes.