Question Summary
How does one repent from associating partners with Allah (shirk)?
Answer
In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate
If one commits shirk (defined below), repenting requires a renewal of faith. That renewal of faith is by renewing one’s belief in the testimony of faith ‘La ilaha ill Allah – There is no god other than Allah’
Detailed Answer
Before going into repenting from shirk, we must first understand the meaning of the word.
Definition of Shirk
Shirk or associating partners with Allah Most High is
(1) to believe that Allah has a partner in divinity (such that one believes in multiple gods).
(2) to ascribe any of the attributes of Allah to other than Allah Most High.
(3) to ascribe ultimate causality to other than Allah Most High.
(4) to worship other than Allah Most High
[Sanusi, Sharh al-Muqaddimat]
Note that much of what people describe as being shirk does not fall under the above definition not shirk.
Repenting From Shirk
Repenting from shirk necessitates that one corrects their beliefs by renewing one’s faith in pure monotheism (tawhid). This may be attained by repeating the testimony of faith granted that one understands it, believes its meanings, and relinquishes any beliefs contradictory to it.
By doing this, one returns to the fold of Islam. One should seek forgiveness for having committed shirk; however, seeking forgiveness is not a condition for them to return to the fold of Islam rather a condition for the forgiveness of the sin.
Hope this helps
Allah knows best
[Shaykh]Yusuf Weltch
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani