INTRODUCTION<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Obtaining knowledge about something by its opposite means<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The opposite of \u2018Tawheed'(monotheism) is \u2018shirk'(the sin of idolatry or polytheism) and \u2018shirk\u2019 is derived from the Arabic root word Sh-R-K which translates or conveys the idea or notion of \u2018partnership\u2019 or \u2018sharing\u2019 or \u2018associating\u2019. Therefore, this word \u2018shirk\u2019 does not simply mean associating idols with Allaah, but its meaning is much broader and vast.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In the holy Qur\u2019an Allaah says: \u2018do not associate anything with Allaah.\u2019 (Surah 2 al-Baqara, verse 22)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
To be able to know anything completely it is important to know its opposite first. If we want to learn and know the importance of \u2018Tawheed\u2019, it is imperative that we learn its opposite i.e. \u2018shirk\u2019. Once we have learnt what \u2018shirk\u2019 and its dangers are, we would be able to steer away from it. Not only that, but we would be in a position to understand Tawheed much more profoundly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There are people who find it quite annoying when the details of \u2018shirk\u2019 are explained to them. They say that such talks would create disagreement among the Muslims and divide them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But they cannot be more intelligent or more knowledgeable than Allaah. That is because the first thing that has explained to mankind is: \u2018LA ILAH IL LAL LAAH\u2019 which means that \u2018There is no other gods but only Allaah who is worthy of worship\u2019. In other words, Allaah is saying to us that we should not commit \u2018shirk\u2019. From this we find that when Allaah explains \u2018Tawheed\u2019 to us, He also explains its opposite (i.e. \u2018shirk\u2019) to us. He has explained both \u2018Tawheed\u2019 and \u2018Shirk\u2019 in detail to us in the holy Qur\u2019an.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So, to get a good knowledge of what \u2018Tawheed\u2019 is we must imperatively have a good knowledge of \u2018Shirk\u2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It is a must that we should have a very good knowledge of the different forms of \u2018shirk\u2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It is a must that we should have a very good knowledge of the realities of \u2018shirk\u2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It is a must that we should have a very good knowledge about the consequences of \u2018shirk\u2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It is imperative that we should have a very good knowledge of \u2018Ilaha.\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It is obligatory for us to know about the various forms of \u2018ilaha\u2019 that Allaah Ta\u2019alah has explained in detail to us in the holy Qur\u2019an.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Subject of Tawheed<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It is impossible to understand \u2018Tawheed\u2019 without a detailed explanation of \u2018shirk.\u2019 Nowadays we hear people talking in religious congregations and gatherings and saying: \u2018O people stay away from \u2018shirk\u2019, you must stay away from \u2018kufr\u2019 and \u2018bidah\u2019; you must be steadfast on Tawheed and Sunnah.\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In spite of such talks and the continuous warnings about the dangers and grave consequences of \u2018shirk\u2019 and \u2018kufr\u2019, people are still committing \u2018shirk\u2019 and \u2018kufr\u2019 which are becoming more and more popular among them. So, why is it that \u2018shirk\u2019 and \u2018kufr\u2019 is so popular amongst people nowadays? The answer to that question is that for as long as \u2018shirk\u2019 and \u2018kufr\u2019 is not explained in great detail and with clear examples, talks won\u2019t have any effect. This is because talks are about such things as \u2018shirk\u2019 and \u2018kufr\u2019 are conducted in an abstract, gloomy and general way without any details.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
People do not really know what the \u2018subject of Tawheed\u2019 is all about. They do not know its implication, importance and role in our day to day life. The Subject of Tawheed is not something that we can learn overnight. Think about it this way, Wudhu and Ghusl are simple to do and yet we take so much time to learn them. In fact, if we think that we have understood the Subject of Tawheed, then we must know that we have understood nothing. This is because it took our Prophet Muhammad (sal lal laahu alaihi wa sal lam) 13 years of full time teaching to explain it to the Makkans and an additional 10 years of teaching to explain it in Medinah. Now there are people who,after having vaguely heard about \u2018the Subject of Tawheed\u2019, say that they have already understood it and that there is no need to talk any further about this subject of tawheed. They say, \u2018let\u2019s talk about something else in the religion of Islam.\u2019 This does not make sense!!! This is because Nabi (sal lal laahu alaihi wa sal lam) spent days and nights and years to teach the his companions about it. So, how is it possible that we can suddenly claim that we have learnt tawheed and already understood it?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The different forms of \u2018shirk\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n
One of the first and foremost moves of Satan is to lead humans to \u2018shirk\u2019 and \u2018kufr\u2019. Once he has achieved this, he is not worried anymore. This is because he knows that however many good deeds that a person does after he has committed \u2018shirk\u2019 and \u2018kufr\u2019, all of it will be vain and he will come in front of Allaah Ta\u2019alah with a zero balance in his book of good deeds on the Day of Judgment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Every time a person is deluded away he is bound to fall in \u2018shirk\u2019 which takes different forms and colours. That is why it is important to know and recognise all its disguising forms, so that we absolutely stay away from it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2018Shirk\u2019 is a kind of sin which can be committed with the heart, tongue, intention \u2013 it can also be committed in our supplication or even in our day to day life. That\u2019s why we need to be extremely cautious and be on our guard to avoid it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The details of different forms of \u2018shirk\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n
a) \u2018Shirk Akbar\u2019 (these are big acts of shirk that are very grave) and they are divided in four categories as follows:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
(b) Minor Shirk<\/p>\n\n\n\n
(c) Hidden (or secret) Shirk<\/p>\n\n\n\n
a) \u2018Shirk Akbar\u2019 (Greater shirk):<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It is only Allaah who has the knowledge of all the secrets of this Universe. He alone knows what is in the earth, what is in its deepest depthsand obscurity and knows everything that is in the space and beyond.He alone knows everything that is in the heart and mind of each and every being in this whole world. He has knowledge of the past and the future, of that which is near and that which is far, and of that which is clear and that which is hidden. His power and knowledge has no limits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Whoever believes that such knowledge of the unseen as described above is possessed by any jinn, prophets, awliyas (alive or passed away), statues, idols, soul, tomb etc. has committed shirk. This is because in doing so, he has associated others with Allaah Ta\u2019alah.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There are people who believe others have powers just as Allaah. Those who turn to these creatures, believing that they can cause harm or good, have committed \u2018shirk\u2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAnd those you call upon besides Him are unable to help you, nor can they help themselves.\u201d (Surah 7 al-Araaf, verse 197)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In the holy Qur\u2019an Allaah Ta\u2019alah mentions about those people who pray to, supplicate, worship and seek help from others instead of Him. In fact, these creatures or lifeless things cannot even help themselves. For example, these idols or tombs which are worshipped cannot even help themselves when an animal cause any mess to them or when anyone damage them. So, how can they help people or anyone?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This type of \u2018shirk\u2019 is committed with the tongue and in the holy Qur\u2019an Allaah says:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAnd do not invoke besides Allaah that which neither benefits you nor harms you, for if you did, then indeed you will of the wrongdoers.\u201d (Surah 10 Yunus, verse 106)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
An Example: \u2018Shirk\u2019 in reading \u2018qasidah and poems\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A Muslim declares 5 times per day in his daily \u2018swalaats\u2019 the oneness of Allaah. In doing so, he proclaims 5 times every day that Allaah alone is worthy of worship and adoration, He alone must be supplicated, He alone is omnipotent (has all the powers) and that He alone can touch anyone or anything with something good or something bad.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, it also happens that such a Muslim reads \u2018qasidah\u2019 and poems in which he praises pious people with such exaggeration as attributing powers and other divine qualities to them. So, when reading \u2018qasidah\u2019 and poems he invokes and supplicates these pious people as if they were gods. But what does the holy Qur\u2019an tell us about this? Here it goes:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAnd [yet], among the people are those who take other than Allaah as equals [to Him]. They love them as they [should] love Allaah. But those who believe are stronger in love for Allaah\u2026\u201d (Surah 2 al-Baqarah, verse 165)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In other words, there are people who take pious people, Allaah\u2019s awliyas, tombs, idols and other deities above Allaah. They do this in all circumstances of their life, in all good and bad moments of their life \u2013 they address and ask help of these idols, tombs, awliyas and false gods first in everything they do. The above verse from the holy Qur\u2019an is clear about this.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There are certain acts that we do for Allaah Ta\u2019alah only. For examples, \u2018sajdah\u2019, \u2018ruku\u2019, \u2018qiyaam\u2019 (standing in prayer), hajj, taking oath, giving \u2018sadaqah\u2019 (alms), fasting, etc. All these acts are acts of veneration that are meant for Allaah only. So, if a person does any of these acts to any other than Allaah Ta\u2019alah, like for instance to a tree, a stone, a tomb and so on, then he or she has committed an act of \u2018shirk\u2019 in his or her \u2018ibaadah.\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n
b) Lesser \u2018shirk\u2019:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Hazrat Muhammad (sallallahu \u2018alaihi wa sallam) said: \u201cWhat I fear for you the most is minor (or lesser)shirk.\u201d The sahabas then asked him what was it and he said: \u201cRiya\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He (sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) also said, \u201che who swears by anything other than Allaah commits minor shirk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Prophet Muhammad (sal lal laahu alaihi wa sal lam) replied that \u2018riya\u2019 is to do a good action with the intention of showing off, of showing others instead of pleasing Allaah Ta\u2019alah.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Our intention and action must always be for seeking the pleasure of Allaah Ta\u2019alah. However, if we pray or do good actions to show to others so that we could be praised or honoured for such acts, then we have committed minor shirk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When a person commits minor shirk he destroys the purpose for which he was created (the purpose of worshipping Allaah Ta\u2019alah only). Seeking admiration, praise and honour from others in worshipping Allaah Ta\u2019alah is in fact a pretension that one is praying, because in doing so a person\u2019s intention is to please others instead of Allaah.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
c) Hidden or Secret \u2018shirk\u2019:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Another form of shirk is when we are not satisfied with our situation, our fate which has been decreed by Allaah Ta\u2019alah. It is when we lament and regret that nothing is good in our life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It is when we say things such as \u2018only if we have done that, the result would have been better.\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It is when a person is always complaining about his condition, when he is never satisfied with anything that Allaah Ta\u2019alah has decreed for him. Such attitudes are examples of \u2018shirk\u2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Prophet Muhammad (sal lal laahu alaihi wa sal lam) said: \u2018Shirk in my ummah is more imperceptible than a black ant on a black fabric in the dark of the night.\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The way leading to \u2018shirk\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The two main things that lead to \u2018shirk\u2019 and \u2018kufr\u2019 are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
To exaggerate in elevating the honour, rank or status of prophets and \u2018awliyas\u2019 that Allaah Ta\u2019alah has attributed to them. An example of this is with the Christians who have equalled Hazrat Issa (alaihi salaam) with Allaah.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
(2) Tradition<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And when it said to them, \u201cFollow what Allaah has revealed,\u201d they say, \u201cRather, we will follow that upon which we found our fathers,\u201d Even if Satan was inviting to the punishment of the Blaze.\u2019 (Surah 31 Luqman, verse 21)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A Muslim must love all the prophets, the \u2018awliyas\u2019 (friends of Allaah) and all the pious people. But such love has a limit. Any exaggeration will cross this limit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A first example when such Exaggeration and Custom that leads to \u2018shirk\u2019 :<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In the time of Hazrat Nuh (alaihis salaam) there were people who had started to exaggerate in their love and admiration for pious people and \u2018awliyas\u2019 of Allaah Ta\u2019alah. So, they started to revere (or venerate) the dead and this practice led them, step by step, to worship, supplicate, invoke and seek help from those \u2018awliyas\u2019 and pious people that have passed away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
All this time, Satan has been using different tricks and schemes which have taken years to make people prostrate to dead pious people and \u2018awliyas\u2019 until finally the door of \u2018shirk\u2019 has opened. Generations that have come after have followed the customs and traditions that their forefathers have established and practised.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The holy Qur\u2019an makes mention of 5 divinities that people used to worship and invoke in the time of Hazrat Nuh (alaihis salaam) \u2013 their exaggeration have finally led them to associate those false divinities to Allaah Ta\u2019alah.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In the holy Qur\u2019an Laat, who was a person who used to offer food and drinks to the pilgrims doing their \u2018hajj\u2019. So, when Laat died people started to gather at his tomb and began to worship and invoke him. (Ibn Kathir)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A second example:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Hazrat Umm\u00e9 Habiba and Umm\u00e9 Salmah said that they have seen pictures in a church in Ethiopia. To this, Hazrat Muhammad (sal lal laahu alaihi wa sal lam) answered that it is a custom in Ethiopia that monuments are constructed and raised on the tombs of dead pious people with their pictures fixed upon them. Living people then pray to, worship and invoke these dead pious people at their tombs as gods.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Hazrat Muhammad (sal lal laahu alaihi wa sal lam) further said that these people (tomb-worshippers) are the worst people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A third example<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Prophets, \u2018peers\u2019 and \u2018awliyas\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Some Muslims have a tendency to say that act of \u2018shirk\u2019 is limited to idol worship only. So, they commit all kinds of other \u2018shirk\u2019 and pretend that they have not wronged at all because they have not worshipped any statues or idols.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When a person associates any prophets or any pious people with Allaah Ta\u2019alah he becomes a \u2018mushrik\u2019. The following example is from the holy Qur\u2019an:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Hazrat Issa and his mother were not idols but people made them as such and worshipped them as divinities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Many people believe that there are pious people who are so close to Allaah Ta\u2019alah as such that they take them as family members of Allaah Ta\u2019alah.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Therefore, they believe that these pious people have a great influence on Allaah Ta\u2019alah and that they possess great powers. So, they ignorantly address these pious personalities as gods and worship and invoke them until they no longer worship Allaah Ta\u2019alah at all.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The following Quranic verse is about this:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cUnquestionably, for Allaah is the pure religion. And those who take protectors besides Him [say], \u2018We only worship them that they may bring us closer to Allaah in position\u2019\u2026.\u201d(Surah 3 az-Zumar, verse 39)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Allaah Ta\u2019alah does not need any Mediator<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Some people believe that Allaah Ta\u2019alah has a government system just like people has a government system on earth. So, they believe that just like people need officials, police, counsellors and so on to run their government, in the same manner Allaah Ta\u2019alah needs intermediates to run this Universe. Such a comparison is offensive to Allaah Ta\u2019alah and detrimental to our conviction. This is because in believing as such they bring Allaah\u2019s power low and as low as that of human beings. Humans are so ignorant that everything that enters their head they just associate it with Allaah Ta\u2019alah or even make it equal to Allaah.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Let us have a look at some examples of some false gods :<\/p>\n\n\n\n
1) Natural things: people worship and pray to rocks, animals, trees, mountains, rivers, the sun and the stars etc.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI found her and her people prostrating to the sun instead of Allaah, and Satan has made their deeds pleasing to them and averted them from [His] way, so they are not guided.\u201d (Surah 27 an-Naml, verse 24)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
2) Prophets: for instance, Hazrat Uzair (alaihis salaam) and Hazrat Isa (alaihis salaam)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2018The Jews say, \u201cUzair is the son of Allaah\u201d; and the Christians say, \u201cThe Messiah is the son of Allaah.\u201d That is their statement from their mouths; they imitate the saying of those who disbelieved before [them]. May Allaah destroy them; how are they deluded?\u2019 (Surah 9 at-Tawbah, verse 30)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
3) Worshipping jinn:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2018They will say, \u201cExalted are You! You, [O Allaah], are our benefactor excluding [i.e. not] them. Rather, they used to worship the jinn; most of them were believers in them.\u201d (Surah 34 Saba, verse 41)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
4) There are those who worship pious people, \u2018awliyas\u2019 and others. One such example is that of the prophet Nuh (alaihis salaam) mentioned above.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Further details on ways of how a person might commit shirk<\/p>\n\n\n\n
1) \u2018Shirk\u2019 in Allaah\u2019s Self (shirk in Tawheed al-Asmaa)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This means giving others (a person or a thing) the same rank or status as Allaah Ta\u2019alah. One example here is the Christian belief in the Trinity and the belief of the Arab during the period of ignorance that Allaah\u2019s daughters were the angels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
2) \u2018Shirk\u2019 in the attributes of Allaah (shirk in Tawheed as-Sifaat) .<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This means giving others (a person or a thing) the same attributes and qualities of Allaah Ta\u2019alah. One example here is to believe that someone else can give protection or blessings exactly the same as Allaah does.Another example is that believing that a red ribbon attached in one\u2019s car,can protect it from damaged ,accident etc\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2018Say, \u201cWho is Lord of the heavens and earth?\u201d Say, \u201cAllaah.\u201d
Say, \u201cHave you taken besides Him allies not possessing [even] for themselves any benefit or any harm?\u2026\u201d (Surah 13 ar-Raad, verse 16)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
3) \u2018Shirk\u2019 in Allaah\u2019s Power (\u2018shirk\u2019 in Tawheed ar-Rububiyah).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Allaah alone can do certain things that He alone has the power or capacity to do because He is the Master of this Universe. To think that someone else has the same power as Him is \u2018shirk\u2019. An example of this is when someone says that besides Allaah Ta\u2019alah there are others who can create and provide for creatures, bless them with success or punish them with a loss \u2013 saying or believing such a thing is \u2018shirk\u2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
4) \u2018Shirk in Allaah\u2019s right (shirk in Tawheed al-Uluhiyya)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As Master and Creator of this Universe Allaah Ta\u2019alah the Omnipotent (The All-Powerful) has certain unique right for Himself alone. It is Allaah\u2019s right that He alone deserves all worship. This worship can be with one\u2019s mouth, with one\u2019s body or with one\u2019s material possession spent in Allaah\u2019s way as a form of worship. But all worship should be directed to Allaah Ta\u2019alah alone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If we worship or invoke others besides Allaah, then we have not respected that right of Allaah, thus have committed \u2018shirk\u2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Example of \u2018shirk\u2019 where people have associated \u2018awliyas\u2019 and \u2018peers\u2019 to Allaah Ta\u2019alah<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThey have taken their scholars and monks as lords besides Allaah, and [also] the Messiah, the son of Mary. And they were not commanded except to worship one God; there is no deity except Him. Exalted is He above whatever they associate with Him. (Surah 9 at-Tawbah, verse 31)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It is clear from the above Quranic verse that people took their priests, \u2018awliyas\u2019, prophets as Allaah and thus committed \u2018shirk\u2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
About this verse :<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Hazrat Adi Bin Hatim (radhi Allaahu anhu) who was a Christian before said to the Hazrat Muhammad (sallallahu alaihi wa sal lam): \u2018We have never worshipped our priests, buzrug, \u2018awliyas\u2019, so how is it that the Quran tells that we did so?\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So, Hazrat Muhammad (sallallahu alaihi wa sal lam) explained this to him:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHave you not accepted what your priests, buzrug and \u2018awliyas\u2019 declared permissible and forbidden?\u2019 To this, Hazrat Adi Bin Hatim replied: \u201cYes, we have believed in what they have declared permissible and forbidden.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Therefore Hazrat Muhammad (sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) replied to him: \u201cSo, this your ibaadah (worship or prayer).\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This \u2018sahaba\u2019 asked for a detailed explanation about \u2018shirk\u2019 to understand in what way \u2018shirk\u2019 was implicated in their life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But we never ask and we never even conduct any research to find out the truth!<\/p>\n\n\n\n