Most Muslims are Unaware of an unforgivable sin in Islam

Basic types of shirk

Shaikh Abd Al-Qadir Al-Jilani’s (may Allah have mercy on him) says in his book, ‘Polytheism [shirk] can be in both the outer [zahir] and the inner [batin]. The outer kind is the worship of idols, while the inner kind is putting one’s trust in creatures and regarding them as the source of harm and benefit.’ -Al-Fath Ar-Rabbani, 34th discourse, page 212

Please convince yourself and then others. The long form and updated article are here.

Did you see the above — regarding creatures as the source of harm and benefit is shirk.

‘And if Allah touches you with harm, then no one can remove it besides Him. And if He touches you with good, then He has power over everything.’ — Quran verse 6:17

We are duped to think that shirk consists of prostrating before someone besides Allah. It is more than that.

Shirk means calling other than Allah

Do not call upon any apart from Allah on those who have no power to benefit or hurt you. For if you call upon others than Allah you will be reckoned among the wrong-doers. — Quran 10:106

Say, “Have you considered: if the punishment of Allah comes to you or the Hour comes to you- will you call anyone besides Allah, if you should be truthful?” No, it is Him [alone] you would call, and He would remove that for which you called Him if He willed, and you would forget what you associate [with Him]. — See Quran verse 6:40 and 41

Only Allah can remove the distress

Or Who answers the prayer of the helpless when he calls Him and removes the distress, and makes you inheritors of the earth? Is there a God along with Allah?! Very little do they think! — Quran verse 27:62

Shirk consists of creating intercessors with Allah

And they worship beside Allah which neither harms them nor helps them, and they say, “These are our intercessors with Allah. Say, “Do you inform Allah what He doesn’t know in the heavens or on the earth?” Exalted is He and high above what they associate with Him. — Quran 10:18

[It will be said to them], “And you have certainly come to Us alone as We created you the first time, and you have left whatever We bestowed upon you behind you. And We do not see with you your ‘intercessors’ which you claimed that they were among you associates [of Allah]. It has [all] been severed between you, and lost from you is what you used to claim.” — Quran 6:94

Shirk consists of taking auliya besides Allah

And those who take auliya beside Him [say], “We only worship them that they may bring us closer to Allah in position.” Indeed, Allah will judge between them concerning that over which they differ. Indeed, Allah does not guide he who is a liar and disbeliever. — see Quran 39:3

The Quran answers

Do the deniers think that they can take My slaves as Auliya besides Me? Verily, We have prepared Hell as entertainment for the deniers. — Quran 18:102

Shirk is taking protectors besides Allah

The example of those who take Auliya (protectors) besides Allah is like a spider that builds a net, but verily, the weakest of houses is the spider’s house; if they knew. — see verse 29:41

(I say, taking ‘protectors’ is ‘invoking’ others besides Allah, see next verse)

Verily, Allah knows what things they invoke besides Him. He is the All-Mighty, the All-Wise. — Quran 29:42

“Do Not take besides Me anyone else as Wakil (Protector, Guardian, Lord, or Disposer of your affairs, etc). — Verse 17:2

Then do those who disbelieve think that they can take My servants instead of Me as allies (auliya)? Indeed, We have prepared Hell for the disbelievers as a lodging. — Verse 18:102

Shirk is creating a partner with Allah or giving a share to someone along with Allah.

Say: “Who saves you from the darkness of the land and the sea, when you call upon Him humbly and secretly: If He (Allah) saves us, we shall be thankful.” Say, “It is Allah who saves you from it and from every calamity, yet you associate others besides Him.” — verses 6:63 & 64

Indeed, those you call besides Allah are not capable of providing you provision. So seek provision from Allah and worship Him and be grateful to Him. To Him you will be returned.” — Verse 29:17 (partial)

Shirk consists of obeying other than Allah

Follow what has been sent down unto you from your Lord and do not follow any Awliya’, besides Him (means don’t follow someone else whose teachings are against Allah) — verse 7:3

Shirk consists of calling slaves of Allah instead of Allah

Verily, those you call besides Allah, are slaves like you. Call them and let them respond to you, if you are truthful. — Verse 7:194