He would stand beside his grave...

He would stand beside his grave, offer salutation to him and seek his intermediation for the fulfillment of his needs. Ahmad ibn Hanbal did the same practice with respect to his master (Imam ash-Shafi'i) to such an extent that his son would get astonished.

Ahmad ibn Hanbal explained to his son that there is nothing wrong in seeking the intermediation of Imam ash-Shafi'i for the removal of difficulties because he, like the sun, was beneficial to the people.[^8] Were the Prophet (s) and his ( 'a ) not like ash-Shafi'i for the people? This is while ash-Shafi'i and Abu Hanifah held the Imams ( 'a ) in high esteem, and Imam ash-Shafi'i acknowledges the sublime station of 'Ali ibn Abi Talib ( 'a ).

Is the practice of these Imams of the Ahl as-Sunnah not a proof for their followers? Do the Wahhabis who regard ziyarah as an act of polytheism also consider the Imams of the Ahl…