Is seeking nearness to Allah through the righteous a form of setting up rivals?

Question:
Shaykh Salih, may Allah preserve him, do we mean that seeking nearness to Allah through the righteous is a form of setting up rivals?

Answer:
Yes, seeking nearness to Allah (tawassul) is of two types. Yes, tawassul in the sense that some of the worship is directed to them, as the worshippers of graves do. They seek nearness to Allah through the awliya (close friends of Allah) and the righteous, they slaughter for them, they make vows for them, and they sit by their graves. This is major shirk (associating partners with Allah). This is major shirk, even if they call it tawassul. Yes.
The second type is seeking nearness to Allah through the righteous in the sense of asking for their supplication, asking them to pray for you while they are present and able to make supplication. There is nothing wrong with this. There is nothing wrong with this.
The third type is seeking nearness to Allah through them in the sense that he asks them for blessing and asks them to bring him closer to Allah, but he does not direct any of the worship to them. This is bid'ah (religious innovation). This is an innovated tawassul that is not permissible. Yes.