Shirk

Letter S · Often appears in 2 topics · Updated Sep 4, 2026

In plain terms

Shirk is associating partners with God — attributing His unique qualities, worship, or authority to something or someone else. Islamic theology treats it as the gravest violation of tawhid, God's oneness. Scholars distinguish between its major and minor forms.

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See the term in context

Is every disobedient person considered to have committed minor shirk merely by committing a sin, even if it is a minor one, due to obeying whims, the self, and Satan? And does this mean that most people are polytheists?
The minor shirk, according to the preponderant view, is limited to the sins that the Sharia has designated as shirk, such as showing off (riya') and swearing by other than Allah. Scholars have differed on its…
Is following one's whims and desires (hawa) that deter one from religion considered unforgivable polytheism (shirk), and is the mixing of good deeds with bad a result of following one's whims and desires and worshipping out of ignorance?
The degrees of following whims and desires (hawa) vary. It may lead its owner to major shirk (polytheism), or be limited to minor shirk, or it may be merely a major or minor sin. Not all following of whims is shirk. The…
Is it obligatory to re-pronounce the Two Testimonies for someone who committed showing off (riyaa'), which is known to be a minor shirk, and is this act considered a major shirk, knowing that repentance has occurred through remorse, seeking forgiveness, and a firm resolve not to return to it?
Your repentance for feigning prayer actions to deceive others is sufficient by desisting, regretting, and resolving not to return to it. You are not required to re-utter the Two Testimonies (Shahadatayn) because you are…

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