Details on the ruling of praying the funeral prayer behind an imam who believes in circumambulating the graves of the awliya (close friends of Allah) and the righteous

Question:
In his final question, he asks: Is it permissible for one who circumambulates graves, specifically the graves of the awliya (close friends of Allah), to be the imam for a deceased person? What is the ruling on his prayer for this deceased person? Is it sufficient or not?

Answer:
Circumambulating graves is an act of worship directed to other than Allah (Mighty and Majestic). If one circumambulates a grave to draw near to the deceased, that is major shirk (associating partners with Allah) that takes one out of the fold of Islam. If one believes that this circumambulation is for Allah (Mighty and Majestic) and not for the sake of the deceased, then it is for Allah, but it is a bid'ah (religious innovation) and a means to shirk (associating partners with Allah), may Allah protect us from it.
Therefore, it is not permissible to circumambulate anything on the face of the earth except the Sacred Ka'bah. Allah the Exalted said: Purify My House for those who circumambulate it. Circumambulation is only permissible for the House of Allah (Mighty and Majestic) as a means of drawing near to Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He). Other than that, nothing on the face of the earth is to be circumambulated, neither the graves of the awliya (close friends of Allah), nor the stations of the righteous, nor trees, nor stones, nor anything else.
And whoever does that, if he does it to draw near to the deceased, he is a mushrik (one who associates partners with Allah) committing major shirk (associating partners with Allah). His prayer, his leading of prayer, and his deeds are not permissible until he repents to Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He). Yes.