Is following one's desires considered shirk (associating partners with Allah)?

Question:
May Allah reward you. This questioner asks: Is there a type of shirk called "shirk of sins," as in the saying of Allah the Exalted: Does this verse imply that a person might take a god, thereby falling into shirk?

Answer:
Yes, following one's desires is shirk. It is shirk because he has taken it as a god, and one who takes a god has associated partners with Allah. However, it is minor shirk; it does not take one out of the religion. Few are free from this. It is minor shirk, and the Muslim should guard against it. He should prioritize what Allah has made obligatory upon him and not follow his desires. He should follow what he hears of the words of Allah and the words of the Messenger, even if it contradicts his desires. He should follow what came from Allah and His Messenger, even if he does not desire it. He should place obedience to Allah and obedience to His Messenger above what his soul desires. This is the believer. Yes.