Ash-Shirk and Al-Kufr POLYTHEISM AND DISBELIEF
Salvation of all mankind from the greatest sin against Allah
It is essential to mention here some details of the greatest sin which will not be forgiven by Allah. This unpardonable sin is Shirk
Shirk implies ascribing partners to Allah or ascribing divine attributes to others besides Allah and believing that the source of power, harm and blessings comes from others besides Allah.
Almighty Allah says:
“Verily, Allah forgives not that partners should be set up with Him (in worship), but He forgives except that (anything) else) to whom He wills; and whoever sets up partners with Allah (in worship), has indeed invented a tremendous sin.” (V. 4:48).
Almighty Allah says:
“Then when the Trumpet is blown, there will be no kinship among them that Day, nor will they ask of one another.
“Then those whose scales ( of good deeds) are heavy,-----these! They are the successful.
“And those whose scales (of good deeds) are light,-----they are those who lose their own selves; in Hell will they abide forever.”
“The Fire will burn their faces, and they will grin with displaced lips (disfigured).”
“Were not My Verses (this Qur’an) recited to you and then you used to deny them?”
“They will say: “Our Lord! Our wretchedness overcame us, and we were an erring people.
“Our Lord! Bring us out of this; if ever we return (to evil) then indeed we shall be Zalimun (polytheists, oppressors, unjust, and wrongdoers).”
“He (Allah) will say: ‘Remain you in it with ignominy! And speak you not to Me!’ “
( V.23: 101-108 )
“And whoever invokes (or worship) besides Allah, any other ilah (God), of whom he has no proof, then his reckoning is only with his Lord. Surely! Al-Kafirun (disbelievers in Allah and in the Oneness of Allah, polytheists, pagans, idolaters)will not be successful.”
(V. 23:117)
Ash-Shirk
POLYTHEISM AND ITS VARIOUS MANIFESTATIONS
Definition: Shirk basically is polytheism, i.e., the worship of others along with Allah. It also implies attributing divine attributes to any other besides Allah. It particularly implies associating partners in worship with Allah or believing that the source of power, harm or blessing is from others besides Allah.
Types: There are three types of Shirk, namely:
(1) Ash-Shirk al-Akbar, i.e., major Shirk
(2) Ash-Shirk al-Asghar, i.e., minor Shirk
(3) Ash-Shirk al- Khafi, i.e., inconspicuous Shirk
Manifestations: (1) Ash-Shirk al Akbar (The major Shirk): The major and serious polytheistic form, has four aspects:
(a) Shirk ad-Du‘a, i.e., invocation. This aspect implies invoking, supplicating, or praying to other deities besides Allah.
Almighty Allah says:
And when they embark on a ship they invoke Allah, making their Faith pure for Him only, but when He brings them safely to land, behold, they give a share of their worship to others,” (V. 29:65)
(b) Shirk an-Niyyah wal-Iradah wal-Qasd. This aspect implies intentions, purpose, and determination in acts of worship or religious deeds, not for the sake of Allah but directed towards other deities.
Almighty Allah says:
“Whosoever desires the life of the world and its glitter, to them We shall pay in full (the wages of) their deeds therein, and they will have no diminution therein. They are those for whom there is nothing in the Hereafter but fire; and vain are the deeds they did therein. And of no effect is that which they used to do .” (V.11: 15,16)
(c) Shirk at-Ta’ah. This aspect implies rendering obedience to any authority against the Order of Allah. Almighty Allah says:
“The (Jews and Christians) took their Rabbis and their monks to be their lords besides Allah (by obeying them in things which they made lawful or unlawful according to their own desires without being ordered by Allah), and (they also took as their lord) Messiah, son of Maryam(Mary), while they (Jews and Christians) were commanded (in the Torah and the Gospel) to worship none but One Ilah (God i.e., Allah), La ilaha illa Huwa (none has the right to be worshipped but He). Glorified is He (far above is He) from having the partners they associate (with Him).” (V. 9:31)
Once while Allah’s Messenger (SAW) reciting the above Verse, “Adi ibn Hatim said, “O Allah’s Prophet! They do not worship them (rabbis and monks).” Allah’s Messenger said, “They certainly do. They (i.e., Rabbis and monks) made legal things illegal, and illegal things legal, and they (i.e., Jews and Christian ) followed them; and by doing so they really worshipped them.” (Narrated by Ahmad, At-Tirmidhi, and Ibn Jarir). (Tafsir At-Tabari, Vol.10, Page No. 114).
(d) Shirk al-Mahabbah. This implies showing the love which is due to Allah Alone to others than Him.
Almighty Allah says:
“And of mankind are some who take (for worship) others besides Allah as
rivals (to Allah). They love them as they love Allah. But those who believe, love
Allah more (than anything else). If only those who do wrong could see, when
they will see the torment, that all power belongs to Allah and that Allah is
Severe in punishment.” (V. 2:165)
(2) Ash-Shirk al-Asghar Ar-Riya’ ( The minor Shirk, i.e., acts performed to showoff).
Any act of worship or any religious deed done in order to gain praise, fame or
for worldly benefit, falls under this category.
Almighty Allah says:
“Say (O Muhammad SAW): ‘I am only a man like you, it has been revealed to
me that your Ilah (God) is One Ilah (God)-----i.e., Allah). So, whoever hopes for
the meeting with his Lord, let him work righteousness and associate none as a
partner in the worship of his Lord.’ ” (V. 18:110)
(3) Ash-Shirk al-Khafi (The inconspicuous Shirk). This type implies being inwardly
dissatisfied with the inevitable condition that has been ordained for one by Allah;
conscientiously lamenting that had you done or not done such and such or had you
approached such and such you would have had a better status, etc.`
The Noble Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said:
“Ash-Shirk al-Khafi in the Muslim nation is more inconspicuous than the creeping of a black ant on a black rock in the pitch-darkness of the night.” And this inconspicuous Shirk is expiated by saying thrice the following sentences every day: “O Allah! I take Your refuge from that I should ascribe anything as partner in Your worship, being conscious of that, and I beg Your pardon for that sin which I am not aware of.”
Al-Kufr
DISBELIEF AND ITS VARIOUS MANIFESTATIONS
Kufr is basically disbelief in any of the articles of Faith in Islam.
The articles of Faith are to believe in -------
(1) Allah,
(2) His Angels,
(3) His Messengers,
(4) His revealed Books,
(5) The Day of Resurrection, and
(6) Al-Qadar, Divine Preordainments (i.e., whatever Allah (SWT) has ordained must come to pass).
There are two aspects of disbelief:
(1). The major disbelief (Al-Kufr al-Akbar): This aspect excludes one completely from the fold of Islam. There are five types (of this major disbelief):
(a) Kufr at-Takdhib. This implies disbelieving the divine truth or denying of any of the articles of Faith.
Almighty Allah says:
“Then who does more wrong than one who utters a lie against Allah and denies the truth [this Qur’an, the Prophet (Muhammad SAW), and Islamic Monotheism] when it comes to him. Is there not in Hell an abode for the disbelievers ?”(V.39:32)
(b) Kufr al-Iba’ wat-Takabbur ma‘at-Tasdiq. This implies rejection and arrogance to submit to Allah’s Commandments after conviction of their truth.
Almighty Allah says:
“And (remember) when We said to the angels: ‘Prostrate yourselves before Adam.’ And they prostrated except Iblis, he refused and was proud and was one of the disbelievers (disobedient to Allah).” (V. 2:34)
(c) Kufr ash-Shakk waz-Zann. This implies doubting or lacking of conviction in the six articles of Faith.
Almighty Allah says:
“And he went into his garden while in a state (of pride and disbelief), unjust to himself. He said: I think not that this will ever perish. And I think not the Hour will ever come, and if indeed I am brought back to my Lord (on the Day of Resurrection), I surely shall find better than this when I return to Him.’ His companion said to him during the talk with him: ‘Do you disbelieve in Him Who created you out of dust (i.e., your father, Adam), then out of Nutfah (mixed semen drops of male and female discharge), then fashioned you into a man? But as for my part (I believe) that He is Allah, my Lord, and none shall I associates as partner with my Lord.’ ” (V. 18:35-38)
(d) Kufr al-I’rdd. This implies turning away from the truth knowingly or deviating from the obvious signs which Allah has revealed.
Almighty Allah says:
“We created not the heavens and the earth and all that is between them except with truth and for an appointed term. But those who disbelieve turn away from that whereof they are warned.” (V. 46:3)
(e) Kufr an-Nifaq. This implies hypocritical disbelief.
Almighty Allah says:
“They have made their oaths a screen (for the hypocrisy). Thus, they hinder (men) from the Path of Allah. Verily, evil is what they used to do. That is because they believed, then disbelieved , therefore their hearts are sealed , so they understand not.” (V. 63:2-3)
(2) The minor disbelief (Al-Kufr al-Asghar): This aspect of disbelief does not exclude one from the fold of Islam. It is also termed Kufran-Ni‘mah. This implies disbelief manifesting itself in ungratefulness for Allah’s Blessing or Favors.
Almighty Allah says:
“And Allah puts forward the example of a township (Makkah), that dwelt secure and well-content; its provision coming to it in abundance from every place, but it (its people) denied the Favors of Allah (with ungratefulness). So, Allah made it taste extreme of hunger (famine) and fear, because of that (evil, i.e., denying Prophet Muhammad (SAW)) which they (its people) used to do.” (V.16:112)