How do we respond to those who believe that the dead have the ability to bring benefit and ward off harm?

Question:
Some grave-visitors say: We called upon this close friend of Allah, and he responded to us after our supplication, so he must be capable of doing so, and therefore it is permissible to call upon him. How do we respond to this?

Answer:
My brother, the fact that the desired outcome is achieved through shirk (associating partners with Allah) does not indicate that it is permissible. This is a trial, a test, and a means of luring you into sin by Allah (Mighty and Majestic). He lures you with it, He lures you with it. Or, it is the Shaytan who is present at the grave and the shrine who answers your need in order to mislead you from the path of Allah. Shaytan is capable of doing this, though he does not see what you see, and he answers your need and brings it to you from afar. This is either a luring by Allah or it is from Shaytan who wants to mislead you.
Or, it coincided with a divine decree and destiny that was predetermined that this thing would come to you in this place and at this time by the decree and destiny of Allah, not because you called upon the dead. The fact is that Allah has forbidden us from doing that. It is sufficient, it is sufficient that Allah has forbidden us from that. This is sufficient. If you say, "No, it is not sufficient; I will call upon other than Allah," if you say that, you have destroyed yourself. Yes.