Imitating the People of Shirk and the First One to Erect the Idols

The questioner:
But when he went to Sham, and from this we also take the point that traveling to the lands of the disbelievers without dire necessity and without taking precautions may lead to? If not for this great danger.

The Shaykh:
Yes, yes, yes.

The questioner:
The questioner says: It is well-known knowledge that 'Amr ibn Luhayy was the first to erect the idols around the House,

The Shaykh:
The idols, meaning the statues, yes.

The questioner:
And it is said that he brought them from Balqa in the land of Sham, imitating the people of Balqa.

The Shaykh:
So if the imitation is in a matter of shirk (associating partners with Allah), it is the most severe type of imitation, such as building on graves and calling for aid from the dead. All of this, if the imitation falls under shirk, is among the most severe prohibitions, or if it falls under bid'ah (religious innovation).