Why is seeking nearness to Allah through the status of the awliya (close friends of Allah) and the righteous, and through their right, considered a religious innovation (bid'ah) and not disbelief (kufr)?

Question:
He says: Honorable Shaykh, may Allah grant you success, why is seeking nearness to Allah through the status of the awliya (close friends of Allah) and the righteous, and through their right, considered a religious innovation (bid'ah) and not disbelief (kufr)?

Answer:
Because he calls upon Allah (Mighty and Majestic), but through the status of, or by seeking nearness to, the righteous. This is a religious innovation (bid'ah). It is obligatory to call upon Allah without seeking nearness through the righteous and without seeking nearness through the status of the Messenger, because this is what was not transmitted. An innovation is that for which there is no evidence, and there is no evidence that you call upon Allah through the status of the Prophet or by means of the Prophet. This was not transmitted. So, worship for which there is no evidence is a religious innovation (bid'ah). Yes. In... The Messenger is called upon until it is said, "You have associated partners with Allah (shirk)." He calls upon Allah, but at the grave of the Messenger. This is a means to shirk (associating partners with Allah). Yes.