Forgiveness of minor shirk (associating partners with Allah) through acts of worship or through repentance

Question:
Honorable Shaykh, may Allah grant you success. He says: Is minor shirk (associating partners with Allah) forgiven through acts of worship, or is sincere repentance from it necessary?

Answer:
Repentance from it is necessary. This is general for both major and minor shirk, but minor shirk is lighter than major shirk in any case. Minor shirk does not take one out of Islam, whereas major shirk takes one out of Islam. Major shirk results in the ruling of disbelief for its perpetrator, while minor shirk does not result in the ruling of disbelief for its perpetrator. There is a difference, differences, yes.