Did Ibn al-Qayyim state in the book "Bahr al-Dumoo'" (Sea of Tears) that "seeking blessings from the graves of the righteous" is permissible, and what is your warning regarding this book?

Firstly: The enquirer confuses two personalities: Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyyah and Ibn al-Jawzi. Ibn al-Jawzi is Jamal al-Din Abu al-Faraj Abd al-Rahman ibn Ali, who is attributed to "Fardhat al-Jawz". He was famous for his stern preaching and authored many works such as "Zad al-Masir" and "Sayd al-Khatir". His creed was at times unsettled, leaning towards Ash'arism. As for Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyyah, he is Shams al-Din Abu Abdullah Muhammad ibn Abi Bakr, and he was named so because his father was the administrator (qayyim) of the Jawziyyah school. He was a Salafi on the straight path. Among his most prominent teachers was Ibn Taymiyyah, and among his most prominent students was Ibn Rajab al-Hanbali. He authored many works such as "I'lam al-Muwaqqi'in" and "Zad al-Ma'ad".

Secondly: The statement of Ibn al-Jawzi, "May Allah benefit us by their blessings," requires elaboration. Blessing is not in the essence of anyone except the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, nor is it in a deceased person. Blessing in people of knowledge and virtue lies in the beneficial knowledge and good traditions they left behind. Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah said that the statement "We are in the blessing of so-and-so" is correct if it is intended to mean that he guided, taught, and enjoined good, or that through his supplication and righteousness, Allah averted evil. However, if it is intended to associate partners with creation or that the deceased can avert harm from the living, then it is false. Shaykh Muhammad ibn Ibrahim was asked about the statement "You are all blessing" and he permitted it if Allah is the one who placed blessing in him. As for "May their blessing be returned to us," it means the blessing of their knowledge, not their essence.

Thirdly: What the enquirer understood, that the intent of Ibn al-Jawzi's statement is "seeking blessings from their graves," is far from the truth. The intent is the knowledge of those scholars, not their essences. Shaykh Muhammad ibn Salih al-Uthaymeen clarified that seeking blessings from graves, if it is with the belief that they benefit without Allah, is major shirk (polytheism). If it is with the belief that they are a cause, then it is minor shirk.