What is Shirk ?
Shirk means ascribing a partner or rival to Allah in Lordship (rububiyyah), worship or in His names and attributes. A rival is a peer or counterpart.
Allah forbids setting up rivals with Him as gods ,instead of him or besides him ,in many verses of the Quran. Allah says:
“Then do not set up rivals unto Allah (in worship) while you know (that He Alone has the right to be worshipped)” [al-Baqarah 2:22]
Types of Shirk in Islam
1. Major Shirk (Shirk Akbar - الشرك الأكبر)
This takes a person out of Islam and is the most severe form. It includes:
Worshiping other than Allah (e.g., praying to idols, saints, graves, or anyone besides Allah).
Believing others share Allah’s divine attributes (e.g., thinking someone has power over life, death, or the unseen).
Seeking help from spirits, the dead, or false gods instead of Allah.
Making dua (supplication) to anyone besides Allah (e.g., calling upon a prophet or angel for divine assistance).
Example from the Qur’an:
"And they worship besides Allah that which neither harms them nor benefits them, and they say, 'These are our intercessors with Allah.'"
(Surah Yunus 10:18)
2. Minor Shirk (Shirk Asghar - الشرك الأصغر)
This does not remove a person from Islam but is still a major sin. It includes:
Riya (Showing off in worship) – Doing good deeds for praise rather than for Allah.
Swearing by someone other than Allah (e.g., saying "I swear on my mother’s life").
Believing objects bring good luck (e.g., wearing amulets or charms believing they have power).
Hadith on Minor Shirk:
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said:
"The thing I fear most for you is minor shirk: Arriya (Showing off in worship)."
(Albani)
How to Avoid Shirk?
Strengthen Tawheed (Oneness of Allah) – Always affirm that only Allah has ultimate power.
Rely Only on Allah – Seek help, guidance, and blessings only from Him.
Avoid Superstitions & False Beliefs – Reject charms, horoscopes, and fortune-telling.
Say Astaghfirullah & Repent – If you ever commit an act of shirk, sincerely ask Allah for forgiveness.
Educate Yourself – Learn the difference between true Islamic belief and cultural practices.
Would you like more information on how to strengthen your Tawheed? 😊
