The Ruling on Seeking Nearness to Allah Through Other Than Allah, Such as Supplicating to 'Ali

Question:
This questioner asks: What is the ruling on one who seeks nearness to Allah through other than Allah, such as supplicating to 'Ali or someone else instead of Allah? He says: What is the ruling on one who seeks nearness to Allah through other than Allah, such as supplicating to 'Ali or someone else.

Answer:
There is a distinction regarding seeking nearness (tawassul). It is either major shirk (associating partners with Allah) or a bid'ah (religious innovation) that serves as a means to shirk. If one approaches the person being used for tawassul by slaughtering animals or making vows, this is major shirk. This is the religion of the polytheists. However, if one does not direct any part of worship to the created being used for tawassul, but rather makes him a means between himself and Allah for the acceptance of his supplication, and says, "This is a righteous man," then this is a bid'ah. This is because seeking nearness through specific persons is not established in the Book or the Sunnah. Seeking nearness through persons is a bid'ah, and it is a means to shirk, because it leads, even over a long period, to approaching this created being, which results in major shirk. Yes.