What is the ruling on visiting the righteous saints?

Imam An-Nawawi dedicated a chapter in Riyad As-Salihin to visiting and sitting with righteous people, citing the verse: "And keep yourself patient with those who call upon their Lord morning and evening, seeking His countenance," and the hadith: "I loved him for My sake," emphasizing the virtue of visiting the righteous.

However, a distinction must be made between this legitimate visitation and what common people do when visiting righteous individuals with corrupt beliefs. In such cases, acts of worship are directed towards the visited person, which are permissible for none but Allah, especially if the person is deceased. This involves supplicating to them and seeking blessings from them, leading to the spread of innovations (bid'ah) and superstitions. Therefore, it is obligatory to understand the texts of the Shari'ah according to the methodology of the righteous predecessors (Salaf As-Salih).