Istighfar and Du`a' for a person who used to invoke the dead

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Q: My Qur’an teacher and my mother’s great-grandfather died. They used to inscribe Ayahs of the Qur’an on rings and give them to people. Before their death they urged me to continue reciting the Qur’an. I continued to do so until my Lord made me understand Tawhid (monotheism) which made me realize that they did something wrong. Can I supplicate to Allah to have mercy upon them and forgive them? Peace, mercy and blessings of Allah be upon you.

A: Writing Ayahs of the Qur’an to be worn as amulets is impermissible, as is wearing them for protection, healing, or repelling harm, according to the most correct scholarly opinion. However, you may ask for mercy and forgiveness for your teacher and grandfather, even if they used to do so, because this is not considered an act of Shirk (associating others with Allah in His Divinity or worship), but it is only impermissible, (Part No. 1; Page No. 321) unless you are aware of anything else which they used to do that renders them disbelievers; such as calling upon the dead, seeking the support of Jinn (creatures created from fire), and such practices related to Al-Shirk-ul-Akbar (major form of associating others in worship with Allah). In this case, you should not supplicate to Allah to forgive them. May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.