ABDUL MATEEN

HASSAAN ARIF

The Greatest Sin!

Meaning of Shirk:

Opposite of Tawheed is Shirk

Negation of elements of Tawheed is Shirk

Shirk in essence means, giving Allah’s rights to other than He.

Sahih International: And said, 'Never leave your gods and never leave Wadd or Suwa‘. [ Nuh :: 071.023 ]

Therefore, shirk involves believing in a partner along with Allah. Such a ‘partner’ could be in lordship or in worship or in attributes.

The essence of shirk involves giving Allah’s rights to other that Him.

To therefore claim that a certain object or deity has the power to bless one with one’s needs is shirk.

To prostrate or make du’a to other than Allah is also shirk.

Allah says:

“ So do not attribute to Allah equals while you know (that there is

nothing similar to him).”{al-Baqrah (2): 22}

Dangers of Shirk

Shirk is the only unforgivable sin in the sight of Allah,

“Indeed, Allah does not forgive association with Him, but He forgives what is less than

that for whomever He wills.”{an-Nisa (4): 116}

If a person dies practicing shirk, or not having repented from it, they will not be forgiven

Shirk prohibits a person from entering Paradise,

“Indeed, he who associates others with Allah – Allah has forbidden him

Paradise.”{al-Maa’idah (5): 72}

Shirk is so evil that it destroys all of a person’s good deeds,

“And it was already revealed to you and to those before you that if you should

associate (anything) with Allah, your work would surely become worthless, and you

would surely be among the losers.”

{az-Zumar (39): 65}

Sahih International: Indeed, Allah does not forgive association with Him, but He forgives what is less than that for whom He wills. And he who associates others with Allah has certainly gone far astray.

[ an Nisa :: 004.116 ]

The Prophet (S.A.W) said

“Do not commit shirk with Allah, even if you are cut into pieces, or burnt.” (Ibn Maajah)

Categories of Shirk:

Shirk is not of one type and can be put into different categories which each look at shirk from a different view:

First:

A category that looks at shirk in relation to tawheed.

Second:

A category that looks at shirk from its various levels.

Third:

Apparent or hidden shirk.

THE END