Circumambulation and Slaughter at Graves and the Ruling Thereon

Question:
May Allah reward you, Honorable Shaykh. The questioner says: If a person circumambulates a grave, or makes du'a' (supplication) at it, or slaughters an animal there, or prays there, is his action ruled to be shirk (associating partners with Allah), or is his belief and intention considered?

Answer:
It is not permissible to circumambulate graves, nor to pray at them, nor to make du'a' (supplication) at them; this is not permissible under any circumstances. If his intention in praying, slaughtering, and circumambulating is to draw near to Allah, but he believes that doing so at the grave increases his reward, then this is bid'ah (religious innovation); he is an innovator, and this act is a means to shirk (associating partners with Allah). However, if his intention in circumambulating, praying, and slaughtering at the grave is to draw near to the deceased, then this is major shirk (associating partners with Allah) that expels one from the religion. This is the reality of those who worship graves today: they turn to the dead, call upon them, seek their aid, and make vows to them. This is their actual practice. Yes.