Practices that some people engage in which constitute shirk or lead to it:

There are matters that may fall under major or minor shirk (polytheism) according to the belief that settles in the practitioner’s heart and the words or deeds that proceed from him. Some people slip into them even though they conflict with sound creed or, at the very least, disturb its clarity. They are widespread among the general public, who are influenced by charlatans, impostors, and sorcerers—despite the Prophet’s ﷺ clear warnings. Among these practices are the following:

1- Wearing a ring, thread, or similar object with the intention of removing an affliction or preventing it. This is a practice from the pre-Islamic jāhiliyyah and counts as minor shirk, though it can rise to the level of major shirk depending on the conviction the wearer harbors about it.

ʿImrān ibn Ḥuṣayn (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that “the Messenger of Allah ﷺ saw a man with a brass ring on his hand and asked, ‘What is this?’ The man replied, ‘It is for al-wāhinah.’ He said, ‘Take it off, for it will only increase your weakness. If you die while it is on you, you will never succeed.’” Reported by Aḥmad with an acceptable chain; Ibn Ḥibbān and al-Ḥākim declared it authentic, and al-Dhahabī concurred.

2- Hanging amulets (tamāʾim). These were strings of beads the Arabs used to place on their children to ward off the evil eye, hoping—by the very name tamīmah—that Allah would bring their wish to fruition.