What is the meaning of Ibn Taymiyyah's statement: "The appellation of shirk (polytheism) is established prior to the رسالة (prophetic message), because he associates partners with his Lord and makes equals to Him"?

Ibn Taymiyyah clarifies that shirk (polytheism) is ugly and blameworthy in all circumstances, both before and after the advent of prophethood, and that it is an inherent characteristic of shirk itself. However, the punishment for shirk is conditioned upon the establishment of proof (ḥujjah) and the coming of a messenger. Thus, a polytheist does not deserve punishment until after clarification (bayān). By this, he refutes the Muʿtazilah and the Ashʿariyyah, asserting that the methodology of Ahl al-Sunnah is a middle way: actions are inherently ugly both before and after prophethood, but there is no punishment until after the establishment of proof.