What is shirk al asghar?

Shirk al-Asghar, often referred to as "minor shirk," is the practice of associating partners with Allah in ways that do not reach the level of major shirk (shirk al-Akbar). It includes actions such as performing acts of worship for the sake of showing off or seeking recognition from others instead of purely for Allah. While it is considered a serious sin, it does not constitute the complete denial of Allah’s oneness that characterizes major shirk. Muslims are encouraged to seek sincerity in their intentions and actions to avoid falling into this form of shirk.