The Ruling on Seeking Intercession through Status and Supplicating to Other Than Allah

Question:
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Honorable Shaykh, some people fall into shirk (associating partners with Allah) through human beings. Is this shirk one that Allah does not forgive?

Answer:
For example, and I would like to add examples: if the speech is supplication to other than Allah or calling for aid to other than Allah, this is major shirk (associating partners with Allah), and it takes one out of the religion. However, if it is asking by the status (jah) or seeking nearness to Allah through the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him)—saying, “I ask you by the right of your Prophet,” or “by the status of your Prophet,” or “I seek nearness to Allah through the support of your Prophet”—this is forbidden (haram) and is minor shirk, because it is a means leading to major shirk. Supplication by status, by right, and seeking nearness to Allah through the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him)—all of this is among the means of shirk. When the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) was alive, people used to ask him for supplication, and they would seek nearness to Allah through his supplication. But after his death, one does not seek nearness to Allah through him (peace and blessings be upon him) unless one seeks nearness to Allah through following him, saying, “I ask you by following your Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him),” because following him is righteous work. Seeking nearness to Allah through righteous work is required. Seeking nearness to Allah through following him and loving him (peace and blessings be upon him) is permissible. Our Lord, we believed in what is with You, and we followed and heard the Messenger This means that seeking nearness to Allah through following the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) is permissible whether he is alive or dead (peace and blessings be upon him). As for seeking nearness to Allah through his status, or seeking nearness to Allah by asking for his supplication—asking him to supplicate for you while he is in the grave—this is not prescribed. Yes.