Polytheism (Shirk)
Polytheism (shirk) is a doctrine of belief (and the acts associated with this belief) in which partners are ascribed to Allah سبحانه وتعالى. There a two forms of polytheism. One form is to believe that there are more than one gods worth worshipping. The other forms is to believe in one-ness of Allah سبحانه وتعالى but to ascribe certain attributes to others (creatures; dead or alive) that are only associated with Allah سبحانه وتعالى.Examples of these attributes is the power to forgive sins, help in distress, grant descendants, grant life and death, grant glory and disgrace, accept supplications and many more.
Polytheism is the belief and practice that is strictly forbidden in all divine religions and in the teachings of all prophets. Polytheism was the biggest sin practiced by the ancient nations which were subjected to the collective destruction in this world, as quoted in different chapters of The Holy Quraan. The best way to avoid indulgence in polytheism is to work on strengthening the belief in one-ness of Allah سبحانه وتعالى and belief in His attributes as described in The Holy Quran. Polytheism (Shirk) is the darkness & Monotheism (Tawheed) is the light. When the light comes, the darkness disappears spontaneously.