WAEC Islamic Religious Studies (IRS) 2018 Theory — Question 4

Model answer

(a) Shirk can be defined as the act of associating partner(s) (in worship) with Allah. (b) Shirk is divided into two: Shirk Asghar (minor shirk) — associating partners with Allah without the real belief that the partner is truly worthy of worship, e.g. performing prayer to be seen/praised by people (riya'), wearing a charm/ring believing it prevents evil, or fearing something other than Allah. Shirk Akbar (major shirk) — associating partners with Allah with the belief that those partners are worthy of worship, e.g. prostrating (sujud) to something other than Allah, sacrificing an animal for something other than Allah, or performing circumambulation (tawaf) around a house other than the Ka'bah.