Is tawassul (seeking nearness to Allah through a means) through the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) considered major shirk (associating partners with Allah)?

Question:
Honorable Shaykh, may Allah grant you success, he says: Is tawassul (seeking nearness to Allah through a means) through the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) considered major shirk (associating partners with Allah)?

Answer:
No, it is not major shirk (associating partners with Allah). It is only shirk (associating partners with Allah) if one calls upon the Messenger, if one calls upon the Messenger, or slaughters for him, or [does something similar]; that is major shirk (associating partners with Allah). But mere tawassul (seeking nearness to Allah through a means) without drawing near to the one through whom one seeks nearness with any act of worship is bid'ah (religious innovation) and a means to shirk (associating partners with Allah); it is bid'ah (religious innovation) and a means to shirk (associating partners with Allah). It is not said to be shirk (associating partners with Allah). Yes.