@Mubarah 30 April 2021 more from that month

In Surah Nissa v 36 Allah Ta’ala commands us: And worship Allah and do not associate anyone with Him, and do good to (your) parents, and to the relatives and the orphans and the needy and the near neighbour and the far neighbour and the companion of your side and the wayfarer and your male and female servants, Allah loves not the proud and boastful. These similar commands were given to the Bani Israel in Surah Baqara v 83. And there are about 5 other Ayaat wherein Allah Ta’ala commands us against Shirk and then commands us to look after our parents. The repetition of these commands gives us an idea of their importance. These are very simple commands not involving hundreds of Rakats of Nafl Salat or other devotions. It shows us how to interact with the people we are in contact with everyday. However when the time comes to obeying and implementing these commands we find it very difficult and in most instances its because of our pride or self interest. Regarding the first command : And worship Allah and do not associate partners with him. The Mufasireeen say that Shirk is of two types. One is believing that Allah Ta’ala has partners or other deities He consults/works with. Or the existence of other deities or idols. For Allah Ta’ala clearly tells us in Surah Baqarah v163-167 And your Ilah is one Ilah, there is no Ilah but He most Gracious and Merciful. Verily, the creation of heavens and earth and coming of night and day alternately, and the boat that sails in the river for the benefit of the people, and that which Allah sends down of water from heaven, and revives the dead earth thereby and scatters all kinds of beast therein, and the change of winds and the cloud that is obedient between heaven and earth, in all of them, necessarily there are signs for the wise people. And some people set some other deities of worship other than Allah that they love them as they are to love Allah and the believers love not anyone equal to that of Allah. And what would be the condition, if the transgressors see the time when the torments would come before their eyes, because all power belongs to Allah and because the torment of Allah is severe. Imam Baihaqi رحمة الله عليه says these examples of the creation of heavens and earth and the changing of night and day are clear signs of the Oneness of Allah Ta’ala simply because if there were more than one there is a possibility of disagreement on such matters. - Shuib ul Iman. The second type of Shirk is associating others in our actions with the hope of reward from them. This is a silent or hidden shirk. It implies that we should worship Allah alone and with ikhlaas (sincerity) and not associate or have any other intention with our actions. So if we keep fast it should be solely for the sake and pleasure of Allah Ta’ala. However if we do these actions also hoping to show people how pious we are then this would be a useless action. The Holy Prophet ﷺ said that my biggest fear for my Ummah is not that they would return to worshipping the sun or the moon or worshipping idols rather they would do deeds for other than Allah and have a hidden agenda for these actions - Tirmidhi. Will discuss the other parts of the Ayah in the next post. In Sha Allah. May Allah Ta’ala grant us sincerity in our actions protect us from Shirk. Ameen