Shirk (Arabic: شرك‎ širk) is the sin of idolatry or polytheism (i.e., the deification or worship of anyone or anything besides Allah). It means ascribing to, or the establishment of, partners placed beside Allah. It is termed Tawhid (monotheism) Mušrikūn مشركون are those who practice shirk, which literally means "association" and refers to accepting other gods and divinities alongside God (as God's "associates").