Examples of Shirk

This Article examines some examples of the different types of shirk.

There are many different variations of shirk that have appeared throughout history. The scholars of Islam have directed our attention to the most important examples of shirk in order to help us to protect ourselves from falling into it. We will examine the most common examples of shirk in order to help us better recognize and identify the sin that Allah will not forgive without sincere repentance.

• Seeking the assistance of other than Allah ﷻ : Among the most dangerous forms of shirk is seeking the assistance of the creation instead of Allah in matters where only Allah can provide benefit. People fall into this type of shirk when they call upon prophets, angels, or the dead to heal them or provide them with sustenance. This is considered shirk since Allah Alone possesses the ability to heal and provide for His creation. Allah ﷻ says:

وَيَعْبُدُونَ مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ مَا لَا يَضُرُّهُمْ وَلَا يَنفَعُهُمْ وَيَقُولُونَ هَـٰٓؤُلَآءِ شُفَعَـٰٓؤُنَا عِندَ ٱللَّهِ ۚ قُلْ أَتُنَبِّـُٔونَ ٱللَّهَ بِمَا لَا يَعْلَمُ فِى ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَلَا فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ ۚ سُبْحَـٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَـٰلَىٰ عَمَّا يُشْرِكُونَ ( سورة يونس : ١٨ )

“And they worship other than Allah that which neither harms them nor benefits them, and they say, “These are our intercessors with Allah. “Say, “Do you inform Allah of something He does not know in the heavens or on the earth?” Exalted is He and high above what they associate with Him.” (Soorat yonus : 18)

• Sacrificing to other than Allah ﷻ : Allah commands His Prophet to inform the Muslims that prayer and sacrifice are for only Allah ab. Allah says:

قُلْ إِنَّ صَلَاتِى وَنُسُكِى وَمَحْيَاىَ وَمَمَاتِى لِلَّهِ رَبِّ ٱلْعَـٰلَمِينَ (١٦٢) لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُۥ ۖ وَبِذَٰلِكَ أُمِرْتُ وَأَنَا۠ أَوَّلُ ٱلْمُسْلِمِينَ (١٦٣) ( سورة الأنعام : ١٦٢ – ١٦٣ )

“Say, “Indeed, my prayer, my rites of sacrifice, my living and my dying are for Allah, Lord of the worlds. No partner has He. And this I have been commanded, and I am the first [among you] of the Muslims.” (Soorat al-An’am: 162-163)

So the person who sacrifices to the jinn or to a dead person has committed shirk with Allah and this act of shirk is similar to the act of praying to other than Allah ﷻ .

• Prostrating to a person: Prostrating to another person is considered shink. Both the prostrating person and the one who he/she is prostrating commit shirk through this action. The prostrating person commits shirk by directing this act of worship to the creation of Allah. Allah ﷻ says:

وَمِنْ ءَايَـٰتِهِ ٱلَّيْلُ وَٱلنَّهَارُ وَٱلشَّمْسُ وَٱلْقَمَرُ ۚ لَا تَسْجُدُوا۟ لِلشَّمْسِ وَلَا لِلْقَمَرِ وَٱسْجُدُوا۟ لِلَّهِ ٱلَّذِى خَلَقَهُنَّ إِن كُنتُمْ إِيَّاهُ تَعْبُدُونَ ( سورة فصلت : ٣٧ )

“And of His signs are the night and day and the sun and moon. Do not prostrate to the sun or to the moon, but prostate to Allah, who created them, if it should be Him that you worship.” ( soorat fussilat : 37)

• Making an oath by other than Allah : A person commits shirk with Allah by swearing oaths by the creation of Allah as the Prophet ﷺ said:

مَنْ خَلَفَ بِغَيْرِ اللَّهِ فَقَدْ أَشْرَكَ

“Whoever swears by other than Allah has committed shirk.” (Aboo Dawood)

• Fearing other than Allah ﷻ : Worship is a comprehensive term which includes many statements and actions. Fear is an action of the heart which can be considered a great form of worship if it is directed to Allah. But fear can also be a form of shirk if it is directed to other than Allah. Allah ﷻ says:

إِنَّمَا ذَٰلِكُمُ ٱلشَّيْطَـٰنُ يُخَوِّفُ أَوْلِيَآءَهُۥ فَلَا تَخَافُوهُمْ وَخَافُونِ إِن كُنتُم مُّؤْمِنِينَ ( سورة ال عمران : ١٧٥ )

“That is only Satan who frightens [you] of his supporters. So fear them not, but fear Me, if you are indeed] believers.” (Soort Aalimaraan : 175)

Learning from the lesson

1. There are many variations of shirk.
2. We study the most common examples of shirk in order to protect ourselves from falling into it.