What is shirk?

'Shirk' (شِرك) literally means to believe in a partner, to believe in a plurality of creators or gods. In the Islamic terminology it means to associate somebody or something with Allah or to regard them as His rival or equivalent. One who does so, is called a Mushrik or polytheist. Shirk is the opposite of Tawhid. Allah the Most High Himself refutes the idea of Shirk. He says - 

قُلْ هُوَ اللهُ أَحَدٌ

Meaning: "Say (Oh Prophet), He is Allah, One and Single." (Sura: Ikhlas, Ayat: 1) In another place Allah the Most High says -

لَيْسَ كَمِثْلِهِ شَيْءٌ

Meaning: "There is nothing like or comparable to Him." (Sura: Shura, Ayat: 11) In Al-Quran it is also said:

 لَوْ كَانَ فِيْهِمَا أَلِهَةٌ إِلَّا اللهُ لَفَسَدَنَا

Meaning: "If there were any other god in the heavens and the earth, both would have collapsed." (Sura: Al-Ambiya, Ayat: 22)

The issue of the incomparability of Allah the Most High as well as His attributes can be clearly realized from such Ayats of Al-Quran. So, it is undoubtedly Shirk and a heinous sin to associate anyone with Allah the Most High.

Shirk or partnership with Allah may assume four forms: For example-

1. To associate partnership in the entity and existence of Allah the Most High. Such as regarding Prophet Isa (Jesus) (on him be peace) as God's son.
2. To assign a partner or a rival in the attributes of Allah the Most High, such as regarding anyone else as the Creator or the Sustainer.
3. To take some other entity for Allah's partner in the management of the universe, such as the Angels as managers.
4. To raise a parallel in matters of worship, such as prostrating before anybody or anything, to sacrifice an animal in anyone's name other than Allah's.

Evils of Shirk and its Remedies

Shirk is a grave sin. Of all sins on earth, shirk is the most heinous. Allah the Most High says-

 إِنَّ الشَّرْكَ لَظُلْمٌ عَظِيمٌ 

Meaning: "Verily, shirk is the extreme tyranny." (Sura Luqman, Ayat: 13)

In fact, it is Allah the Most High Who is our Creator and Nourisher. It is His gifts that we enjoy. Beyond this, what can be greater oppression on the part of one than raising a partner with Allah?

Allah the Most High is very displeased with the polytheists. In spite of being extremely forgiving and unboundedly merciful, He will not forgive the sin of Shirk. Allah the Most High says -

إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يَغْفِرُ أَن يُشْرَكَ بِهِۦ وَيَغْفِرُ مَا دُونَ ذَٰلِكَ لِمَن يَشَآءُ ۚ

Meaning: "Surely, Allah will not forgive the sin of Shirk. Besides Shirk, He may forgive any other sin of whom He so desires." (Sura: An-Nisa, Ayat: 48)

In fact, in no way is it possible to obtain good both here and the hereafter without the mercy and forgiveness of Allah, the Most High. The polytheists are destined to painful punishment in the next life. In Al-Quran, it is explicitly stated -

إِنَّهُ مَنْ يُشْرِكْ بِاللَّهِ فَقَدْ حَرَّمَ اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ الْجَنَّةَ وَمَأْ وهُ النَّارُ

Meaning: "Allah will certainly make paradise forbidden for the polytheists. In fact his abode is the hell." (Sura: Al-Maida, Ayat: 72)

As a matter of fact, Shirk is an unforgivable sin. All have to beware of it. If one commits Shirk even by mistake, one must restore Iman immediately. Then he must repent with a sincere heart and solicit Allah's forgiveness. At the same time he must take a vow not to commit it again afterwards. Only then Allah the Most High may forgive the sin out of His mercy and compassion.

We must necessarily avoid Shirk and become dear to Allah with a firm faith in Him. Only then one's worldly and next life will be blissful.