Ahmad ibn Taymiyyah—may Allah Most High have mercy on him—was asked:

What of someone who visits graves and appeals to the person buried there for help with an illness affecting himself, his horse, or his camel, asking for the illness to be removed? He says, “My master, I am under your protection; I am in your keeping. So-and-so has wronged me; so-and-so intends to harm me.” He says that the person buried there is an intermediary between him and Allah Most High.

What of someone who vows to give dirhams, camels, sheep, candles, oil, and other things to mosques, lodges, and shaykhs—living or dead—saying, “If my child comes through safely, I shall owe the shaykh such-and-such,” and similar statements?

What of someone who seeks relief from his shaykh, asking him to steady his heart in the face of what has befallen him? What of someone who comes to his shaykh, touches the grave, rubs his face against it, strokes it with his hands, and then wipes his face with them, and does similar things?

What of someone who approaches him with a need and says, “O so-and-so, by your blessing,” or says, “My need was fulfilled through the blessing of Allah and the blessing of the shaykh”?

What of someone who holds a devotional listening session, comes to the grave, uncovers himself, and places his face on the ground before his shaykh in prostration?

What of someone who says that there exists an all-encompassing spiritual pole and source of succour? Give us your ruling—may you be rewarded—and explain the matter fully.

He replied:

All praise is due to Allah, Lord of all worlds. The religion with which Allah sent His messengers