Seeking blessings from a creature

Q 2: Kindly explain: when does the forbidden Tabarruk (seeking blessings), which is a kind of Bid`ah (innovation in religion), become major Shirk (associating others with Allah in His Divinity or worship that takes the Muslim out of Islam)? When does it become a minor Shirk (associating other partners with Allah that is not tantamount to taking the Muslim out of Islam)? Please, support your answer with examples.

A: Tabarruk through living beings or objects in creation is of two kinds:First, Tabarruk through graves, trees, stones, or humans, whether alive or dead wherein one believes blessings are gained from this creature or one draws near to Allah (Glorified be He) through this intermediary as did the first polytheists. This is a form of major Shirk exactly the same as worshipping idols. This was mentioned in the Hadith of Abu Waqid Al-Laythy regarding the polytheists who used to hang their weapons on a tree. The Prophet (peace be upon him) considered this act a major Shirk and compared what they said (Part No. 1; Page No. 353) to what was said by the children of Israel to Moses: Make for us an ilâh (a god) as they have âlihah (gods). Second, Tabarruk believing that one will draw near to Allah and will be rewarded for doing so; not because one thinks an intermediary causes harm or benefit, as the ignorant do with the cover of the Ka`bah. They wipe their hands against the walls of the Ka`bah, Maqam Ibrahim (the Station of Ibrahim), the Prophet's chamber and the pillars of Al-Masjid Al-Haram (the Sacred Mosque in Makkah) and Al-Masjid Al-Nabawy (the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah) in order to seek blessings from Allah. This Tabarruk is considered a Bid`ah (innovation in Islam) and a means to major Shirk except for that proven with evidence, such as drinking from Zamzam and Tabarruk through the Prophet's sweat, hair, or anything that touched his body; as well as the excellence of his ablution (peace be upon him) in which there is no harm because there are proofs in this regard.May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.