Two types of shirk were common both before and after the prophethood of Muhammad (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam). The first of these is the direction of acts of worship (especially supplication) to others besides Allah while still claiming belief in Him. The Qur’an orders: "And do not invoke besides Allah another god. There is no god but Him." [12:40] The other type of shirk is the willful adherence to laws and rulings other than His. "Do you not consider those who claim to have believed in what was revealed to you and what was revealed before you? They wish to refer legislation to taghoot * while they were commanded to reject it." [4:60] The loss of tawheed is sadly evident today in the acceptance of foreign philosophies and lifestyles, political oppression, innovations in religion, and countless forms of disobedience. Allah (subhanahu wa taala) warns:
“Follow what has been revealed to you from your Lord. And do not follow any patrons other than Him.” [7:3]
“And if you obey most of those upon the earth, they will lead you away from the path of Allah.” [6:116]
“And certainly do many lead [others] astray through their own desires without knowledge.” [6:119]"
And do not obey one whose heart We have made unaware of Our remembrance and who follows his desires and whose affair is excess ." [18:28]
“Indeed, Allah will not change the condition of a people until they change what is in themselves…” [13:11]*