What is the difference between shirk (associating partners with Allah) and the means to shirk?

Question:
They say in the principle, "The means have the rulings of the ends." So, for example, if we say that worshipping the grave...?

Answer:
I mean, in terms of prohibition, it is the same in everything, I mean, in terms of prohibition.
The means to shirk (associating partners with Allah) are forbidden, but the means do not become shirk. Shirk is one thing, and the means are another. Taking graves as mosques and praying at them is among the means to shirk, while shirk is worshipping them instead of Allah.
Likewise, praying after 'Asr or after Fajr is among the means to shirk, and it is not shirk itself. Shirk is worshipping the sun instead of Allah. As for you praying after 'Asr, or at sunset, or when the sun rises, while intending Allah; this is not permissible. This is among the means to shirk. Shirk is worshipping the sun along with Allah (Exalted and Majestic is He). Likewise, praying at graves is a means, and shirk is worshipping the people in the graves. We ask Allah for safety.
Q: Does it not follow that if the end is disbelief, then the means is disbelief?
A: No, the means is not. There is a detailed ruling regarding the means.