Seeking help from and making vows to the Awliya’

Q 1: What is the ruling on seeking help from the Awliya' (pious people), offering vows to them, considering them intercessors with Allah, making Tawaf (circumambulation) around their graves, seeking blessings from the stones thereof, and shading them ?

A: Seeking the Awliya's help at their graves, vowing to them or considering them intercessors to Allah and asking them to do so is Shirk Akbar (major form of associating others in worship with Allah) that drives a person away from Islam and admits them permanently into Hellfire if they die while believing in this. Making Tawaf around their graves and shading them are prohibited Bid'ahs (rejected innovation in religion), as it is a means of worshipping those buried in them instead of Allah. These acts may also become Shirk (associating others with Allah in His Divinity or worship) if a person does them believing that the dead will benefit them or drive harm away from them, or if they make Tawaf intending to be closer to the dead.May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.