The Ruling on Seeking Refuge and Protection from Created Beings

Question:
A question from Libya. The questioner asks: Is seeking refuge and protection from a created being all shirk (associating partners with Allah), or is some of it not shirk? We ask for clarification.

Answer:
Seeking refuge is only with Allah (Mighty and Majestic). It is not permissible to seek refuge with anyone; it is not permissible to seek refuge with a created being, because seeking refuge is a type of worship, and worship is only for Allah. So do not say, “I seek refuge with so-and-so.” In the pre-Islamic age of ignorance (jahiliyyah), they used to seek refuge with the jinn. When they would settle in a place, they would say, “We seek refuge with the master of this valley from the evil of the foolish ones of his people.” So the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said to his Companions and to the entire Ummah: Whoever settles in a place and says , nothing will harm him as long as he is in that place, by seeking refuge with Allah (Mighty and Majestic). Therefore, it is not permissible to seek refuge with anyone, because this is a type of worship. Yes.

The presenter:
May Allah reward you.