Is this supplication permissible: “O Allah, we extend to You our palms in supplication, seeking nearness to You through the one who has the means of intercession and the intercessor”?

The questioner:
He says: Honorable Shaykh, may Allah grant you success, in our country, in our country, when the imam of the neighborhood mosque is absent, a man steps forward to lead the Fajr prayer and says in the qunut supplication: “O Allah, we extend to You our palms in supplication, seeking nearness to You through the one who has the means of intercession and the intercessor.” Is this supplication permissible? And is it shirk (associating partners with Allah)?

The Shaykh:
No, it is not permissible. It is not permissible to seek nearness to Allah through people, neither through the Messenger nor through anyone else. Tawassul (seeking nearness to Allah through a means) is only through deeds, through righteous deeds. As for people, one does not seek nearness to Allah the Exalted and Majestic through them, neither the Messenger nor anyone else, because this is bid'ah (religious innovation). Yes.

The questioner:
Should I pray behind him, or should I leave praying behind him?

The Shaykh:
Advise him and explain it to him. If he does not comply and you find another mosque whose imam is sound, then pray behind the sound imam from this one. Yes.