The Shirk of the Contemporaries is more serious than those who have passed
Kashf ush-Shubuhaat (Removal of the Doubts)
Shaikh ul-Islaam Muhammad bin Abdul-Wahhaab
So when you have come to know that that which the Mushriks of our time have called “I’tiqaad” in our times, then it is actually the Shirk about which the Qur’aan was revealed, and for which the Messenger of Allaah fought the people [so when you have come to know this], then know [also] that the Shirk of the very first ones was less serious than the Shirk of the people of our times, on account of two matters:
The first: That the first [Mushriks] did not associate partners, or call upon Angels, or the Awliyaa, or idols alongside Allaah except in the times of ease. But as for times of hardship, then they would make their supplication purely and sincerely for Allaah alone, just as He, the Most High, said, “And when harm touches you upon the sea, those that you call upon besides Him vanish from you except Him (Allâh Alone). But when He brings you safely to land, you turn away (from Him). And man is ever ungrateful.” (Al-Isra 17:67).
And also His saying, “Say (O Muhammad): “Tell me if Allâh's Torment comes upon you, or the Hour comes upon you, would you then call upon any one other than Allâh? (Reply) if you are truthful!” Nay! To Him Alone you call, and, if He will, He would remove that (distress) for which you call upon Him, and you forget at that time whatever partners you joined with Him (in worship)!” (Al-An'am 6:40-41).
And He, the Most High, said, “And when some hurt touches man, he cries to his Lord (Allâh Alone), turning to Him in repentance, but when He bestows a favour upon him from Himself, he forgets that for which he cried for before, and he sets up rivals to Allâh, in order to mislead others from His Path. Say: “Take pleasure in your disbelief for a while: surely, you are (one) of the dwellers of the Fire!”.” (Az-Zumar 39:8)
And also His saying, “And when a wave covers them like shades (i.e. like clouds or the mountains of seawater), they invoke Allâh, making their invocations for Him only. But when He brings them safe to land, there are among them those that stop in the middle, between (Belief and disbelief). But none denies Our Signs except every perfidious ungrateful.” (Luqman 31:32)
So whoever understands this matter that Allaah has made clear in His Book, which is that the Mushriks that Allaah’s Messenger fought, used to call upon Allaah – the Most High – and they called upon other than Him, in times of ease. But as for times of hardship and severity [when in harm or danger], then they would not call upon anyone but Allaah alone, without any partners, and they would forget their masters, [so whoever understands this] then it will become clear to him the difference between the Shirk of the people of our times and the Shirk of the very first people. Very few people actually understand and appreciate the above] However where is the one whose heart actually understands this matter with a deep-rooted understanding? And Allaah is the One from whom aid is sought.
As for the second matter: That the very first [Mushriks] used to call upon others alongside Allaah who were people near to Allaah, either Prophets, or Awliyaa, or Angels, or they would call upon trees, or stones, which are in obedience to Allaah, and not disobedient to Him.
As for the people of our time, then they call upon others alongside, people who are the most sinful of people. And the ones who call upon them, are the very ones who narrate about their sinfulness, such as committing zinaa, or stealing, or abandoning the prayer and other such matters.
And the one who believes in the righteous which does not disobey, such as wood, or stone, is much lighter than the one who believes in the one whose sin and corruption he actually observes, and to which he testifies.
Kashf ush-Shubuhaat (Removal of the Doubts)
Shaikh ul-Islaam Muhammad bin Abdul-Wahhaab
So when you have come to know that that which the Mushriks of our time have called “I’tiqaad” in our times, then it is actually the Shirk about which the Qur’aan was revealed, and for which the Messenger of Allaah fought the people [so when you have come to know this], then know [also] that the Shirk of the very first ones was less serious than the Shirk of the people of our times, on account of two matters:
The first: That the first [Mushriks] did not associate partners, or call upon Angels, or the Awliyaa, or idols alongside Allaah except in the times of ease. But as for times of hardship, then they would make their supplication purely and sincerely for Allaah alone, just as He, the Most High, said, “And when harm touches you upon the sea, those that you call upon besides Him vanish from you except Him (Allâh Alone). But when He brings you safely to land, you turn away (from Him). And man is ever ungrateful.” (Al-Isra 17:67).
And also His saying, “Say (O Muhammad): “Tell me if Allâh's Torment comes upon you, or the Hour comes upon you, would you then call upon any one other than Allâh? (Reply) if you are truthful!” Nay! To Him Alone you call, and, if He will, He would remove that (distress) for which you call upon Him, and you forget at that time whatever partners you joined with Him (in worship)!” (Al-An'am 6:40-41).
And He, the Most High, said, “And when some hurt touches man, he cries to his Lord (Allâh Alone), turning to Him in repentance, but when He bestows a favour upon him from Himself, he forgets that for which he cried for before, and he sets up rivals to Allâh, in order to mislead others from His Path. Say: “Take pleasure in your disbelief for a while: surely, you are (one) of the dwellers of the Fire!”.” (Az-Zumar 39:8)
And also His saying, “And when a wave covers them like shades (i.e. like clouds or the mountains of seawater), they invoke Allâh, making their invocations for Him only. But when He brings them safe to land, there are among them those that stop in the middle, between (Belief and disbelief). But none denies Our Signs except every perfidious ungrateful.” (Luqman 31:32)
So whoever understands this matter that Allaah has made clear in His Book, which is that the Mushriks that Allaah’s Messenger fought, used to call upon Allaah – the Most High – and they called upon other than Him, in times of ease. But as for times of hardship and severity [when in harm or danger], then they would not call upon anyone but Allaah alone, without any partners, and they would forget their masters, [so whoever understands this] then it will become clear to him the difference between the Shirk of the people of our times and the Shirk of the very first people. Very few people actually understand and appreciate the above] However where is the one whose heart actually understands this matter with a deep-rooted understanding? And Allaah is the One from whom aid is sought.
As for the second matter: That the very first [Mushriks] used to call upon others alongside Allaah who were people near to Allaah, either Prophets, or Awliyaa, or Angels, or they would call upon trees, or stones, which are in obedience to Allaah, and not disobedient to Him.
As for the people of our time, then they call upon others alongside, people who are the most sinful of people. And the ones who call upon them, are the very ones who narrate about their sinfulness, such as committing zinaa, or stealing, or abandoning the prayer and other such matters.
And the one who believes in the righteous which does not disobey, such as wood, or stone, is much lighter than the one who believes in the one whose sin and corruption he actually observes, and to which he testifies.