His father is negligent in prayer and calls upon the awliya (close friends of Allah) for aid; how should he advise him?

Question:
May Allah reward you with good. He speaks about himself and says, "My father does not pray at times, and he often seeks help from the awliya. When he stands up and when he sits down, he says, 'O so-and-so, O so-and-so.' How should I treat him? Advise us. May Allah reward you with good."

Answer:
The first thing you must do is rebuke him for calling upon the awliya (close friends of Allah) for aid, because this is major shirk (associating partners with Allah). Even if he prays and does whatever deeds he does while calling upon the awliya for aid, his deeds are invalid and his prayer is not valid, because this is shirk with Allah (Mighty and Majestic). Allah the Exalted says: He said: It is obligatory for you to advise him to stop calling upon the righteous for aid and to stop calling out to the righteous whenever he stands up and whenever he sits down, for this is major shirk. Make it clear to him that this is shirk, and make clear to him what Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He) mentioned in His Book regarding shirk and the polytheists, and what the polytheist will face in terms of retribution and punishment. We ask Allah for safety. You must remind him of this, and read to him whatever is easy of the books that warn against shirk and clarify this matter for him. After that, if Allah guides him and he stops calling upon the righteous for aid, then you order him to pray and to maintain it. The bottom line is that this father needs a sincere call to Islam and patience and seeking reward from Allah, perhaps Allah will guide him. Yes.