Observation

This question stands out to be one of the popular questions over the years. Most of the candidates that answered this question performed very well. The question demanded from the candidates to explain the meaning of shirks and acts that are considered as shirk, thus:

1. Shirk: Shirk is an Arabic word for polytheism, which means associating partners with Allah or rejection of the existence of Allah (Q.4:48). The only unpardonable sin is Shirk.
2. Acts which could be considered as Shirk:

1. Idol worship is an act of major polytheism (e.g. trees, statues, carvings etc.) (Q.4:48)
2. Ancestral worship (e.g. masquerades).
3. Hero worship (e.g. Kings, Prophets and Saints etc).
4. Worship of heavenly bodies (stars, moon, sun etc.) (Q.41:37).
5. Trinity is a concept which represents father, son, and spirit. (Q.5:72).
6. Showing off is an act of minor Shirk.
7. Atheism (i.e. denial of the existence of Allah).
8. Humanism (i.e. the belief in human supremacy and rejection of any divine interest or control over human beings).
9. Consultation of oracles.
10. Nifaq (hypocrisy) is another example of Shirk.
11. Riddah- Apostacy.
12. Superstition.
13.  Divination and fortune telling.
14. Magic (e.g. use of talisman).
15. Cult worship.
16. Pantheism (i.e. Belief in all gods).