Explaining the Difference Between Major and Minor Shirk
Machine translationRead the Arabic original
Q284: The questioner asks: What is the criterion for distinguishing between the texts regarding major and minor shirk (associating partners with Allah)?
A284: Major shirk (associating partners with Allah) is that which takes one out of the religion. It is directing any type of worship to other than Allah; for example, slaughtering for other than Allah, making a vow for other than Allah, or calling upon other than Allah (Mighty and Majestic). This is major shirk, which takes one out of the religion, because it is worship of other than Allah (Mighty and Majestic). As for minor shirk, it is less than that; it does not take one out of the religion, but it invalidates tawhid (the oneness of Allah). Examples include swearing by other than Allah, a little bit of riya' (showing off in worship), and saying, "If not for Allah and you," and the like.
A284: Major shirk (associating partners with Allah) is that which takes one out of the religion. It is directing any type of worship to other than Allah; for example, slaughtering for other than Allah, making a vow for other than Allah, or calling upon other than Allah (Mighty and Majestic). This is major shirk, which takes one out of the religion, because it is worship of other than Allah (Mighty and Majestic). As for minor shirk, it is less than that; it does not take one out of the religion, but it invalidates tawhid (the oneness of Allah). Examples include swearing by other than Allah, a little bit of riya' (showing off in worship), and saying, "If not for Allah and you," and the like.
Source
www.alifta.gov.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.