BENEFIT 165: The difference between Kufr and Shirk

Sheikh Yūsuf Al-Jazaa’iri hafidahullāh said: "The apparent distinction between Shirk (associating partners with Allah) and Kufr (disbelief) is that بينهما عموم وخصوص مطلق (I.e. one enters into the other); Kufr is broader than Shirk; because Kufr can occur through Shirk or it can occur without Shirk. An example of Kufr which involves shirk, is directing worship to other than Allah. An example of Kufr which does not involve directing worship to other than Allah (Shirk), is blaspheming against Allah or His Prophet, or mocking the Deen, or other forms of Kufr - be it verbal, physical, creedal, or doubting."