How can Muslims rid themselves of Shirk (association of partners with Allaah The Almighty in worship) in all its forms?

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Him, and that Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is His slave and Messenger.

To eliminate Shirk, you have to observe certain matters. First, correctly understand its essence and manifestations, whether apparent or hidden, or minor or major. This is because whoever does not know its reality, cannot attain perfection of Tawheed (monotheism). ‘Umar ibn Al-Khattaab would say that anyone who had not known the Jaahiliyyah (lit., times of ignorance, i.e., pre-Islamic era), would not [truly] know Islam.

Second, one should pursue the path of gaining in-depth knowledge of the religion, be keen on maintaining a sincere intention and worship Allaah The Almighty [alone]. He or she must offset any attribute of Shirk with that of Tawheed so as to eliminate it; for instance, one should counter [any feeling of] ostentation with sincerity, devoting one’s intention to Allaah The Almighty and keeping good deeds hidden, as much as possible. Similarly, a person must counteract any corruption in intent with [its immediate] reform. In addition, if you are able to do so, you should study the sound Islamic creed and be keen on rectifying the actions of the heart and body. Reading books that refine the morals also helps one to do that.

Third, the individual must oppose Shirk and all that it entails, and dissociate oneself from polytheists, avoiding mixing with them and not joining them in committing any violations of the Sharee’ah (Islamic jurisprudence). For example, whoever wants to achieve Tawheed should avoid extremist Sufis when they exaggerate the status of the righteous people. Moreover, one is to shun all kinds of polytheists and polytheism, in general.

Fourth, one should be loyal to Muslims who are staunch in their [belief in] Tawheed, unite with them, keep their company and support them against the polytheists. Indeed, one’s love for believers and hatred towards disbelievers is the criterion for knowing the person’s faithfulness. The Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said that anyone who loves, hates, gives and withholds for the sake of Allaah The Almighty has perfected his faith. [Abu Daawood]

Fifth, be on constant guard against committing polytheistic acts and supplicate to Allaah The Almighty frequently for protection from that as well, as the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, would do. He ordered us to avoid Shirk and taught us an invocation to safeguard ourselves from it: “Allaahuma inna na‘oothu bika an nushrika bika shay’an na‘lamuh, wa nastaghfiruka li maa laa na‘lamuh”, meaning, O Allaah, we seek refuge with You from associating anything with You in worship knowingly; and we seek Your Forgiveness for what we know not. [Ahmad and At-Tabaraani, Saheeh –Al-Haithami]

Allaah Knows best.