3.2 Shirk

• Meaning of shirk as associating partners with Allah
• Types of shirk: major (akbar) and minor (asghar)
• Manifestations of shirk in worship, speech and daily life
• Effects of shirk on Iman and on the person
• Ways of avoiding shirk and practising Tawhid

• explain different types of shirk to avoid associating Allah with other beings
• describe different ways through which shirk is manifested to protect one's Iman
• examine the effects of shirk to safeguard one's Iman
• practise acts that are devoid of shirk in daily life
• recognise the belief in One God as the foundation of Iman

“Why should a Muslim avoid shirk?”

“How can a Muslim avoid shirk?”

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1. What is shirk?
   40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
   Shirk as associating partners with Allah, the opposite of Tawhid, named from Qur'an 31:13.
2. Major shirk (shirk akbar)
   40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
   Shirk akbar as worship or Lordship given to other than Allah, which contradicts the shahada.
3. Minor shirk (shirk asghar)
   40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
   Shirk asghar including riya and swearing by other than Allah, a sin that does not itself expel from Islam.
4. Manifestations of shirk in worship
   40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
   How shirk shows in dua, vows, sacrifice and bows of ibadah, with skits that protect dignity.
5. Manifestations: magic, amulets and riya
   40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
   Further manifestations: soothsayers, lord-amulets, and showing off, with Kenyan school examples.
6. Effects of shirk
   40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
   Examining effects on Iman, deeds, the Akhirah, the heart and justice, from 4:48, 39:65 and 31:13.
7. How a Muslim avoids shirk
   40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
   Practical avoidance: learn Tawhid, worship Allah alone, refuse seers and lord-charms, sincere niyyah, good company.
8. Practise acts devoid of shirk
   40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
   A lived week of Tawhid, review of types and effects, and recognising One God as the foundation of Iman.