Ruling on seeking help from other than Allah

Q: May Allah reward you with the best, give us the ruling on a religious group in Egypt, named the Group of Abu Al-`Azayim, which call people to follow the so called "the reviving Imam," Muhammad Mady Abu Al-`Azayim with regard to the following points:1. Supplicating to the dead and appealing to them for help as well as invoking the Prophet (peace be upon him) and Abu Al-`Azayim in his absence2. Memorizing and chanting some particular verses of poetry including appeals to and praises of the family of the Prophet (peace be upon him)Give us the ruling on this question, may Allah guide you and us to the right path! Are those people regarded as Muslims who can lead us in prayers; whose girls we can marry, and whose food we can eat? Or are they regarded as disbelievers with which we cannot maintain any of the relations or practices mentioned above?

A: Anyone who invokes Allah and appeals to the dead from among the prophets and other righteous people, is a Mushrik (one who associates others with Allah in His Divinity or worship) and such major Shirk (associating others with Allah in His Divinity or worship that takes the Muslim out of Islam) draws him out of Islam. Allah (Exalted be He) says, And whoever invokes (or worships), besides Allâh, any other ilâh (god), of whom he has no proof; then his reckoning is only with his Lord. Surely! Al-Kâfirûn (the disbelievers in Allâh and in the Oneness of Allâh, polytheists, pagans, idolaters) will not be successful. Such a person is named by Allah a disbeliever. Also, Allah (Exalted be He) says, And the mosques are for Allâh (Alone): so invoke not anyone along with Allâh. He (Exalted be He) also says, And indeed it has been revealed to you (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم), as it was to those (Allâh’s Messengers) before you: "If you join others in worship with Allâh, (then) surely (all) your deeds will be in vain, and you will certainly be among the losers." (Part No. 1; Page No. 46) Allah (Exalted be He) says, And those who take Auliyâ’ (protectors, helpers, lords, gods) besides Him (say): “We worship them only that they may bring us near to Allâh.” Verily, Allâh will judge between them concerning that wherein they differ. Truly, Allâh guides not him who is a liar, and a disbeliever. Allah (Glorified be He) regards them as liars and disbelievers on appealing to others and not to Allah for help even if they claim that they take such helpers as mediators between them and their Lord.May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.