Is obeying a creature in an act of disobedience considered shirk (polytheism)? And does Ibn al-Qayyim's statement about prioritizing the satisfaction of the beloved over the satisfaction of the Lord apply to two situations: first, obeying the beloved in an act of disobedience that negates Islam, and second, prioritizing the love of a creature over the love of Allah and His Messenger, and obeying them absolutely, even if it leads to disbelief? Or is his intention different?

Not every instance of following one's whims or obeying a beloved constitutes polytheism (shirk (definition)) with Allah, unless it leads to directing worship to other than Allah. This is like someone who takes their beloved as an equal [to God], prioritizing their pleasure over the pleasure of their Lord, sacrificing their most precious possessions for them, and leaving only the remnants for their Lord. As for merely following one's whims in sin, it is not considered shirk; rather, it may just be a sin.