A Muslim should strongly avoid idolatry. He should use all his will- power, all his attention to avoid being dragged into such a swamp. He should know that everything he rates so highly in this world is empty.
Idolatry shows itself with a lack of trust in God. A Muslim is obliged to attain such submission, such trust in God at all costs.
There are two kinds of idolatry. The first one is confessed idolatry. For instance, they build up an idol and worship it. That is confessed idolatry. And there is also covert idolatry. That is believing that others, someone or something other than God has power. For instance, it is believing that people have independent power. Actually God is the One Who makes everyone speak, He is the One Who makes everyone speak and do things.
Ascribing partners to God means thinking that a power, a force or any other attribute belongs to someone or something other than God. For instance, something happens and that person thinks, "this one did it." Actually that one does not have the ability to do anything. God is the One Who does everything. All power, all force belongs to God.