Types of Shirk
The categories of worshiping other than Allah are likewise three:
Major Shirk , Minor Shirk , and Hidden Shirk .
Major Shirk : It destroys one’s good deeds and leads to the eternal punishment if one dies without repenting. Allah says: ” Had they associated ot hers with Him ˹in worship˺, their good deeds would have been wasted” (6:88) . He also says: “It is not for the polytheists to maintain the mosques of Allah while they openly profess disbelief. Their deeds are void, and they will be in the Fire forever” (9:17) . Whoever dies without repenting from it, will not be forgiven and Paradise is prohibited. Allah says: “Surely, Allah does not forgive associating others with Him ˹in worship˺, but forgives anything else of whoever He wills” (4:48) . He also says: “Whoever associates others with Allah ˹in worship˺ will surely be forbidden Paradise by Allah. Their home will be the Fire. And the wrongdoers will have no helpers ” (5:72) . From the examples: Supplicating to the dead and idols, seeking their help, making oat hs to them, sacrificing for them, etc.
Minor Shirk : That which has been called Shirk in the Qur’an and Sunnah; however, it is not Major Shirk. Such as showing off with a part of acts of worship, swearing by other than Allah, saying “whatever Allah wills a nd so and so”, etc.
The Prophet ﷺ has said: “That which I fear the most for you is Minor Shirk”. When he was asked about it, he said: “It is showing off with acts of worship” . He has also said: “Whoever swears by other than Allah has committed Shirk” . He has also said : “Do not say ‘whatever Allah wills and so and so’. Rather, say: ‘whatever Allah wills then so and so” (Abu Dawood, Authentic). A Muslim does no apostate due to this, nor is one punished eternally for it. Rather, it negates the comp letion of Tawheed.
The Hidden Shirk: The Prophet ﷺ has said: “Should I not inform you of that which I fear for you more than the Dajjaal? They said: Of course O Messenger of Allah! He said: “Hidden Shirk; A person gets up to pray and beautifies the prayer when s/he sees others watching him”. It is correct to divide Shirk in 2 categories: Major and Minor. The Hidden Shirk could be present in both of them. It is present in the Major Shirk of t he hypocrites since they hide disbelief and show off with Islam out of fear for themselves etc. It is also present in the Minor Shirk of the Muslims when they show off with a part of their worship as mentioned in the above Hadith. Allah is the granter of success.
How many? No specific number; however, they are restricted by the above definition. The Ruling of its doer -Believer with incomplete Emaan or a believer due to the Emaan and a sinner due to the major sin. -We love them according to their Ema an and we hate them according to their major sins -They should not be accompanied while they are doing the major sin. Its Levels They vary due to the saying of the Prophet ﷺ” :Should I not inform you of the greatest major sins…” (Bukhari/ Muslim) Its Ruling It is a must to repent from it due to the saying of the Prophet ﷺ :”The hired female mourner, if she does not repent before dying…” (Muslim).
Major Sins: Minor Shirk: Lesser than the Major Shirk and greater than the rest of the major sins. Does not take one out of the fold of Islam. The Categories of Prohibitions Minor Sins: Every forbidden act that is not subjected to a specific punishment. Major Shirk: Takes one out of the fold of Islam. Major Sins: Every action that is subjected to a specific punishment: curse, distanced from mercy, free from its doer, Etc.