Reflecting on What Truly Counts as Shirk - Assalamu Alaikum

Assalamu Alaikum. I think many people only see shirk as idol worship, and while that's true, it's only one small part of it. A lot of shirk is actually putting the desires of the nafs, other people, or the causes of this world above Allah. A few people actively worship idols, spirits, stars, or follow superstitions, but they are not the majority. Fitrah makes us seek something to worship. People are made to turn to Allah, but that urge can be misdirected to things that aren’t real lords. When someone serves other "lords" instead of Allah, Allah may leave their affairs to those they chose, and they will be let down. Not worshipping Allah doesn’t always look like idol worship. An atheist doesn’t worship idols, yet they also don’t worship Allah. Similarly, someone might pour all their innate longing for Allah into their family or career - so outwardly they don't seem like a mushrik, but inwardly they are. A person can appear fine, yet be deeply attached to things or desires in a way that amounts to shirk, even if it’s not obvious. Remember the hadith where the Prophet (ﷺ) warned that what he feared most for his ummah was associating others with Allah - not necessarily by worshipping the sun or moon or idols, but by doing deeds for anyone other than Allah and following hidden desires (Sunan Ibn Majah 4205). May Allah keep our intentions pure and guide us to worship Him alone. Ameen.