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Fatwa CenterDefinition and ruling of verbal Shirk (polytheism)
Question
What is Shirk in words? Does it result in apostasy?
Answer
All perfect praise be to Allaah, the Lord of the worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is His Slave and Messenger.
Verbal Shirk refers to certain words and expressions that seem to indicate Shirk, but the Muslim saying such words usually does not intend to commit Shirk. Some examples may include swearing by anyone other than Allaah The Almighty, and saying to a person, "This is what Allaah and you willed", "This is from Allaah and you", "I am supported by Allaah and you", "I have no supporter other than Allaah and you", "I depend on Allaah and you", and "If it were not for you, such and such would happen." There are many other such sinful comments that associate or glorify others than Allaah The Almighty. This is minor Shirk, and according to all Muslim scholars it does not result in apostasy. Shaykh ‘Abdur-Rahmaan ibn Muhammad ibn Qaasim 
said that examples of minor Shirk include Riyaa’ (doing an act to impress others) and swearing by anyone other than Allaah The Almighty. The Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said that if a person swears by anyone other than Allaah The Almighty, he would be committing Shirk. [Ahmad and Abu Daawood]
Shaykh ‘Abdur-Rahmaan said that all scholars agree that the Shirk mentioned in this Hadeeth refers to minor Shirk. This is what is understood from the words of Shaykh ‘Abdur-Rahmaan .
Even though it is minor Shirk, it is nonetheless impermissible and the person must stop doing it. He must also repent for having committed Shirk. This Shirk may be major if the person intends major Shirk when doing it. This meaning is alluded to by Ibn Al-Qayyim and others.
Allaah Knows best.
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