Introduction<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Shirk ihtekaadi\u2019 is shirk in one\u2019s belief whereas \u2018shirk firli\u2019 is shirk in one\u2019s actions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What is \u2018shirk ihtekaadi\u2019?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2018Shirk ihtekaadi\u2019 means \u2018shirk\u2019 in one\u2019s \u2018aquidah\u2019, that is, \u2018shirk\u2019 in one\u2019s belief or conviction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A muslim believes that only Allaah should be worshipped. And that is He alone who is All Powerful and All Great. And that nobody and nothing should be associated with Allah Ta\u2019alah.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The \u2018aquidah\u2019 (belief or faith) of a muslim is that he must not commit \u2018shirk\u2019 in whatever forms it takes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The holy Qur\u2019aan has stressed a lot on \u2018shirk ihtekaadi\u2019 (that is \u2018shirk\u2019 in one\u2019s belief or faith). It is taught in the holy Qur\u2019aan that \u2018shirk\u2019 is a deadly danger and that it has been rejected.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
To explain in detail what \u2018Tawheed\u2019 is, the holy Qur\u2019an has explained the meaning of \u2018shirk ihtekaadi\u2019 (shirk in one\u2019s belief and faith\u2019. In other words, Allaah has taught people what their belief and faith should be and that they should not let it get mixed up or corrupted with \u2018shirk\u2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What is \u2018shirk Firli\u2019?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2018Shirk firli\u2019 is \u2018shirk\u2019 in one\u2019s actions or deeds and its examples are found in many different nations and in many different eras (periods of time) in the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The holy Qur\u2019an talks very little about \u2018shirk Firli\u2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Question : For what reason does the Qur\u2019an mention only a little about \u2018shirk firli\u2019 (shirk in one\u2019s deeds or actions)?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Answer : If the Qur\u2019an was to mention all the different forms of \u2018shirk\u2019 of so many different nations of so many different periods of times (so many eras), it would have been a much voluminous Qur\u2019an, perhaps a 100 times its actual size. This is because \u2018shirk\u2019 is so numerous that it varies greatly from one nation to another. And if these examples of \u2018shirk\u2019 of these gone-by nations were to be mentioned or listed, they would have been numbered in thousands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, \u2018shirk Firli\u2019 is more popular than \u2018shirk ihtekaadi\u2019 which means that there are more forms \u2018shirk Firli\u2019 than \u2018shirk ihtekaadi\u2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2018Shirk Ihtekaadi\u2019 (shirk in one\u2019s belief and faith) is the root, foundation and base for \u2018shirk firli\u2019, that is \u2018shirk\u2019 in one\u2019s actions. In other words, \u2018shirk ihtekaadi\u2019 which is the root of corrupted beliefs, gives birth to forms or acts of \u2018shirk\u2019 that is \u2018shirk firli\u2019, that is, \u2018shirk\u2019 practised by people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It is precisely for this reason, that the holy Qur\u2019an has emphasised the rejection of \u2018shirk ihtekaadi\u2019. When people\u2019s belief or faith will be purified from \u2018shirk ihtekaadi\u2019, they will automatically stop practising \u2018shirk firli\u2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Reality of Shirk<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Many Muslims believe that people in such and such religions are the ones who commit \u2018shirk\u2019 because they worship statues and idols or even their prophets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, what we do not realise is that if that we Muslims are not careful, we can fall prey to the practice of \u2018shirk\u2019. Nobody is safe from \u2018shirk\u2019 regardless of being the least or the most knowledgeable in religion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
That is why is very important to know the reality of \u2018shirk\u2019. Those who practise \u2018shirk\u2019 do also believe in Allaah and do good deeds. Yet why is it that Allaah has condemned them? Let us look at the answer:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Did the \u2018mushrik\u2019 (idolaters) of the time of the prophet Muhammad (sal lal laahu alaihi wa sal lam) believe in Allaah?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In the verses of the holy Qur\u2019an, Allaah shows us the condition of the \u2018mushrikines\u2019 (those who commit or practice shirk) of the time of the beloved prophet Muhammad (sal lal laahu alaihi wa sal lam)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAnd if you ask them, who created them, they will certainly say it is \u2018Allaah\u2019: how then are they deluded away (From the Truth)? (Surah Az-Zukruf 43, verse 87)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The question is why is it that they still believe and worship other divinities when they in fact accept that Allaah is their Rabb (God)? This does not make sense!!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2018If indeed you ask them who is it that created the heavens and the earth? They would be sure to say: \u2018Allaah\u2019.
Say: \u2018See you then? The thing that you invoke besides Allaah, \u2013 can they, if Allaah wills some affliction? Or if He wills some Mercy for me, can they keep back His mercy? \u2018Say: \u2018Sufficient is Allaah for me! In Him trust those who put their trust.'(Surah 39 Az-Zumar, verse 38)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There are many more verses in the holy Qur\u2019an that show the belief of the \u2018mushrikines\u2019 of Makkah in Allaah. (surah 10 Yunus verse 31), (Surah 23 Muminun verse 84 \u2013 89)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In spite of their believing in Allaah so much, the above verses show that Allaah still labelled them as \u2018mushrikines\u2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Did the \u2018mushrikines\u2019 of the time of Prophet Muhammad (sal lal laahu alaihi wa sa lam) used to do good deeds?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Example (1)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2018Out of what Allaah has produced in abundance in crops and in cattle, they assigned Him a share: they say, according to their fancies: \u201cthis is for Allaah, and this\u201d \u2013 for Our \u201cpartners\u201d!\u2019 (Surah 6 Al-Anaam, verse 136)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So the \u2018mushrikines\u2019 used to allocate a share to Allaah and another share to those \u2018partners\u2019 (such as their idols, tombs, saints, etcetera) that they used to associate with Allaah.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Example (2)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2018Do ye consider the giving of drink to pilgrims, or the maintenance of the Sacred Mosque, equal to (the pious service of) those who believe in Allaah and the Last Day, and strive with might and main in the cause of Allah? They are not equal in the sight of Allaah: and Allaah guides not those who do wrong.'(Surah 9 At-Taubah, verse 19)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So the \u2018mushrikines\u2019 used to assist pilgrims who were going to perform \u2018hajj\u2019 and also they used to carry out the maintenance of Masjid Haraam (The Sacred Mosque of Makkah).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Example (2)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When the \u2018mushrikines\u2019 would write a letter they used to write the following as their first line:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bi-ismik-Allaah hoummah, that is, they would begin by writing, in the name of Allaah Ta\u2019alah.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Even though the Muslims were not doing these good deeds since they were not yet revealed, they used to be labelled as Muslims. This is because the principle and criteria that Allaah has established is to \u2018believe in the oneness of Allah\u2019 and accept the Prophet Muhammad (sal lal laahu alaihi wa sal lam) as Allaah\u2019s messenger and do not associate anything or any partners to Allaah.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
They were labelled as \u2018mushrikines\u2019 because they used to practise \u2018shirk\u2019 in spite of their belief in Allaah and their good deeds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Allaah has ordered all His prophets (alaihimous salaam) (some 124, 000 prophets that He has sent to mankind) to proclaim this main message: \u2018There is no god worthy of worship except Allaah only\u2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNot a Messenger did We send before thee without this inspiration sent by Us to him: that there is no god but I: therefore worship and serve Me.\u201d (Surah 21 Al-Anbiya, verse 25)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Muslims and the \u2018mushrikines\u2019 used to disagree with each other on the issue of ascribing partners to Allaah.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Did the \u2018mushrikines\u2019 believe in the absolute power of Allaah?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In the time of Prophet Muhammad (sal lal laahu alaihi wa sal lam), the \u2018mushrikines\u2019 used to invoke and worship other gods that they ascribed to Allaah because they believed that those gods had certain powers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIs it not to Allah that sincere devotion is due? But those take for protectors others than Allaah (say): We only serve them in order that they bring us nearer to Allaah\u2026.\u201d (Surah 39 Zumar, verse 3)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In the above verse we see that the \u2018mushrikines\u2019 used to invoke partners that they ascribed to Allaah so that they would come closer to Allaah through them. Those \u2018mushrikines\u2019 would take it that they could not worship Allaah directly and therefore had to go through partners that they associated with Him. In our local dialect we use the expression \u2018to get to the minister you need to go through his secretary.\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2018Shirk\u2019 that are practised nowadays are worse and more serious than in the old days<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Those who practise \u2018shirk\u2019 today practise the kind of \u2018shirk\u2019 that is far more worse and serious than the \u2018shirk\u2019 that were practised by the \u2018mushrikines\u2019 in the old days.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNow, if they embark on a boat, they call on Allaah, making their devotion sincerely (and exclusive) to Him but when He has delivered them safely to (dry) land, behold, they give a share (of their worship to others)\u201d (Surah 29 Al-Ankabut, verse 65)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Those \u2018mushrikines\u2019 would normally worship their gods and ask of them, but in times of difficulties they would call upon Allaah only.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Today\u2019s \u2018mushrikines\u2019 are totally the opposite. They are immersed in \u2018shirk\u2019 24 by 24 hours and 7 over 7 days a week. Whether in good or bad times they are constantly worshipping and seeking help from those partners that they have associated with Allaah. In fact, this thing about ascribing partners to Allaah has become a crucial part of their belief in their daily life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Do not ascribe anything to Allaah Ta\u2019alah<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In the holy Qur\u2019an and \u2018hadiths\u2019 (narrations) totally reject \u2018shirk\u2019 in all its forms and possibilities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In the holy Qur\u2019an Allaah uses the word \u2018shai-oon\u2019 to reject shirk completely. \u2018Shai-oon\u2019 means: nothing, nothing and not even a thing. Whatever the thing is, it must not be associated with Allaah.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2018Behold! We gave the site to Ibrahim, of the (Sacred) House, (Saying): associate not anything (in worship) with Me\u2026.\u2019 (Surah 22 Al-Haj, verse 26)
\u2018Serve Allaah and join not any partners with Him\u2026\u2019 (Surah 4 An-Nisaa, verse 36)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If a person has been told not touch anything in a room \u2013 it is clear that nothing must be touched. That means \u2018nothing\u2019 not even a small thing can be touched by that person because he has been ordered not to touch \u2018anything\u2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Similarly, when Allaah tells people: \u2018do not associate anything with Me\u2019 \u2013 it is clear then that nothing must be invoked, called upon, worshipped, prayed to or asked of, except Allaah only. It is forbidden to ask for provisions, health, to have children, work, etcetera from a pious person who has passed away or from a tomb\u2026etc<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The \u2018mushrikines\u2019 used to categorize different practices as permissible and as forbidden according to their fancies. So, Allaah Ta\u2019alah has addressed Prophet Muhammad (sal lal laahu alaihi wa sal lam) as follows:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2018Say: \u201cCome, I will rehearse what Allaah has (really) prohibited you from: \u201cjoin not anything as equal with Him;\u2026\u2019 (Surah 6 Al-Anaam, verse 151)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There are many places in the holy Qur\u2019an where Allaah Ta\u2019alah has severely warned the \u2018mushrikines\u2019 against the practice of \u2018shirk\u2019 that is asking and worshipping others besides Him. It is clear that whoever asks of or worship anything besides Allaah, is committing \u2018shirk\u2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2018They will worship Me (alone) and not associate anything with Me\u2019 (Surah 24 An-Nur, verse 55)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In the hadiths and in the holy Qur\u2019an, the words are clear as crystal that \u2018shirk\u2019 is completely forbidden in whatever forms it takes (praying to, worshipping, asking, invoking an object, a person alive or dead, any object is absolutely forbidden).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There are about 10 verses in the holy Qur\u2019an where Allaah Ta\u2019alah says: do not associate anything with Me.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There are about 30 \u2018hadiths\u2019 (narrations) where the beloved prophet Muhammad (sal lal laahu alaihi wa sal lam) told us: \u2018do not associate anything with Allaah Ta\u2019alah.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Do not ask any person but Allaah Ta\u2019alah<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In the Arabic language the word \u2018ahad\u2019 is used to indicate a person or someone. It is also used to indicate a human or an angel or a jinn (a spirit).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2018But as for my part Allaah is my Lord, and none shall I associate with my Lord.\u2019 (Surah 18 Al-Kahf, verse 38)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There are many places in the holy Qur\u2019an where the word \u2018ahad\u2019 has been used to totally reject \u2018shirk\u2019 in whatever forms it takes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Do not associate any humans or angels or jinn with Allaah. \u2018Shirk\u2019 whether it is praying, or invoking or asking or calling upon a living or a dead \u2018being\u2019 is completely forbidden and totally rejected.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If we say that nobody is allowed to enter a room, it is clear that nobody, no one or anyone is allowed to enter that room.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2018And the places of worship are for Allaah (alone): so invoke not anyone along with Allah.\u2019 (Surah 72 Al-Jinn, verse 18)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The holy Qur\u2019an Allaah clearly says: do not ask, invoke, call upon, worship, pray to any person, being or thing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2018Say: \u201cCall upon other (gods) whom ye fancy, besides Allaah: they have no power, \u2014 not the weight of an atom, \u2014 in the heavens or on earth; no (sort of) share have they therein, nor is any of them a helper to Allaah.\u2019 (Surah 35 Saba, verse 22)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
From the above verses it is crystal clear that there is no need to look for double meaning about \u2018shirk\u2019. \u2018Shirk\u2019 in all its forms (worship, or pray to, or call upon or ask any living or dead person or any object besides Allaah) has been totally rejected.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There are about 10 verses in the holy Qur\u2019an where Allaah Ta\u2019alah says: do not associate anything or anyone with Me.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And there are many more hadiths where the prophet Muhammad (sal lal laahu alaihi wa sal lam) has said to us not to associate anything with Him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n