The Ruling on Sitting with Those Who Believe That the Awliya (Close Friends of Allah) Can Benefit and Harm

Question:
This questioner (K. F. M. 'A) says: I have a question regarding 'aqidah (creed). There are people, O Shaykh, who believe in the awliya (close friends of Allah) and the righteous that they can benefit and harm. Some people seek blessing from them and go to them to fulfill their needs. What is the ruling on sitting with such people if they are my relatives?
Please guide me in light of my question.

Answer:
Whoever believes in the awliya (close friends of Allah) that they can benefit or harm, this is major shirk (associating partners with Allah). Likewise, if he calls upon them and seeks aid from them; if he goes to their graves and seeks aid from them, or makes a vow for them, or slaughters for them, or seeks their help, or says: "I am under your protection, I am under your guardianship," all of this is major shirk (associating partners with Allah). This is because the dead person's deeds have been cut off; he does not benefit or harm anyone. The One who benefits and harms is Allah alone. Likewise, the living person does not benefit or harm except by the permission of Allah.
So whoever believes that anyone, even if living, can harm and benefit other than Allah, this becomes major kufr (disbelief). As for the fact that he may harm and benefit in this world, yes, he may harm and benefit, but by the permission and decree of Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He).
As for the dead person, he does not harm or benefit; his deeds have been cut off. So whoever believes that he harms and benefits, or calls upon him other than Allah, or seeks aid from him, or makes a vow for him, or slaughters for him, this is major shirk (associating partners with Allah). This is the shirk (associating partners with Allah) of the mushrikin (polytheists), this is the religion of the mushrikin (polytheists). We seek refuge in Allah. So it is obligatory to be cautious of that, to warn those who do this, and to make it clear that this is major shirk (associating partners with Allah), and that this is among the greatest of what is wrong. Shirk (associating partners with Allah) is the greatest of sins.
You should not sit with these people except by way of advice. You pass by them, advise them, remind them, and teach them; this is obligatory. As for taking them as friends, or sitting with them without making things clear, no. Rather, it is obligatory to make things clear, to forbid what is wrong, and to warn, and not to take them as friends or companions if they persist in this vile action. We ask Allah for safety.

The presenter: May Allah preserve you, O Shaykh. O Shaykh (may Allah preserve you), shirk (associating partners with Allah) and bid'ah (religious innovation) have become widespread in our time. What is the obligation of scholars, callers to Islam, and reformers in clarifying sound 'aqidah (creed)?

The Shaykh: The causes of that are the mixing of people; and because people have mixed with travel abroad, and the arrival of disbelievers from abroad; so the mixing of people is a cause of many problems and confusion of matters. So it is obligatory to be cautious, and it is obligatory for the believer to understand the religion and be discerning, so that he knows his religion, and so that he is not deceived by people, and so that he does not follow one who is upon kufr (disbelief) and misguidance. So he should understand, learn, and be discerning so that he leaves what Allah has forbidden for him, and performs what Allah has made obligatory for him. It is not permissible for him to sit with one who displays kufr (disbelief) and misguidance, or sins, except by way of forbidding what is wrong, teaching, and guidance only. We ask Allah for safety. Yes.

The presenter: O Allah, amen. May Allah reward you with good.