Abu Ali says that once Hazrat Abu Musa (may Allah be pleased with him) addressed us in a sermon and said: "O people! Beware of this shirk (associating partners with Allah), for its creeping is lighter than the creeping of an ant." Upon hearing this, Abdullah bin Hazn and Qais bin Muzarib stood up and said: "By Allah! Either you will provide a reference for your statement, or we will go to Hazrat Umar (may Allah be pleased with him), whether we are permitted or not." He said: "I will give you its reference. One day, the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) addressed us in a sermon and said: 'O people! Beware of this shirk, for its creeping is lighter than the creeping of an ant.' Someone asked: 'O Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him), when its creeping is lighter than the creeping of an ant, then how can we protect ourselves from it?' The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'Keep saying: O Allah! We seek refuge in You from knowingly associating anything with You, and we seek Your forgiveness for what we do not know.'"