The Ruling on Praying Behind the Worshippers of Shrines

The question of the listener Zakari Faraj Mas'ud from the Arab Republic of Egypt is as follows: Is it permissible to pray behind those who call for the visiting of shrines?
Answer: One who is known to be among the worshippers of shrines, one who is known to visit graves and call upon their inhabitants for aid, and ask them for the healing of the sick and the like, one should not pray behind him; because his apparent state is shirk (associating partners with Allah), and one does not pray behind a mushrik (one who associates partners with Allah). The prayer behind him is invalid, so it is not permissible to pray behind these people. Rather, they must be warned and cautioned against shirk, and they must be advised. If they repent and turn away from falsehood and affirm the oneness of Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He), and accept the advice, then one may pray behind them. But as long as they worship other than Allah, as long as they cling to the graves and ask them for the healing of the sick, assistance, and the fulfillment of needs, no, one does not pray behind them. Rather, their shirk is apparent, and their kufr (disbelief) is apparent. Even if some of them may have been deceived by ignorance, and deceived by the silence of the scholars, this does not excuse them. Rather, it is obligatory for them to ask, to gain knowledge of the religion of Allah, to ask the people of knowledge, and to be careful in this matter and not be lax. Yes.