This excerpt is taken from Sheikh Irshad Ullah Maan's book The Search for Truth.
The following points are extremely important to consider; understand them and avoid these false beliefs. The disputes that existed at the time of the Quran's revelation and their decisions made through revelation are as follows:
The people of ignorance used to associate the righteous in the worship of Allah and in supplication to Him, meaning that these righteous people would intercede for us with Allah. The Quran explains this polytheistic belief as follows: [وَیَعۡبُدُوۡنَ مِنۡ دُوۡنِ اللّٰہِ مَا لَا یَضُرُّہُمۡ وَ لَا یَنۡفَعُہُمۡ وَ یَقُوۡلُوۡنَ ہٰۤؤُلَآءِ شُفَعَآؤُنَا عِنۡدَ اللّٰہِ]
And they worship besides Allah that which neither harms them nor benefits them, and they say, "These are our intercessors with Allah."
Reference: Yunus:18
[وَالَّذِیۡنَ اتَّخَذُوۡا مِنۡ دُوۡنِہٖۤ اَوۡلِیَآءَ ۘ مَا نَعۡبُدُہُمۡ اِلَّا لِیُقَرِّبُوۡنَاۤ اِلَی اللّٰہِ زُلۡفٰی]
And those who have taken besides Him allies say, "We only worship them that they may bring us nearer to Allah in position."
Reference: Az-Zumar:3
This is the important and great issue in which the Noble Messenger ﷺ opposed them and taught sincerity of action, that is, call upon Allah alone sincerely and it was explained that this is the divine religion for the propagation of which Allah Almighty sent the Prophets, peace be upon them, and that only sincere deeds are honored with acceptance. And you were also informed that the person who commits those evil deeds which the polytheists view with approval, his entry into Paradise is forbidden and his abode will be Hell. This is the important issue that distinguishes a Muslim from a disbeliever, from here the paths of love and enmity separate, and from here the beginning of jihad starts, as Allah the Exalted says: [وَقَاتِلُوۡہُمۡ حَتّٰی لَا تَکُوۡنَ فِتۡنَۃٌ وَّ یَکُوۡنَ الدِّیۡنُ کُلُّہٗ لِلّٰہِ]
And fight against those until there is no more fitnah (i.e., the corruption of disbelief) and the religion is all for Allah alone.
Reference: Al-Anfal:39
In religion and the world, the paths of the people of ignorance were different and they considered only their own path to be correct and true. The Generous Lord reveals their division as follows:
[کُلُّ حِزۡبٍۭ بِمَا لَدَیۡہِمۡ فَرِحُوۡنَ]
Each sect is pleased with what it has.
Reference: Al-Mu’minun:53
Thus, Allah Almighty, while urging unity in religion, says:
[شَرَعَ لَکُمۡ مِّنَ الدِّیۡنِ مَا وَصّٰی بِہٖ نُوۡحًا وَّ الَّذِیۡۤ اَوۡحَیۡنَاۤ اِلَیۡکَ وَ مَا وَصَّیۡنَا بِہٖۤ اِبۡرٰہِیۡمَ وَ مُوۡسٰی وَ عِیۡسٰۤی اَنۡ اَقِیۡمُوا الدِّیۡنَ وَ لَا تَتَفَرَّقُوۡا فِیۡہِ]
He has ordained for you the same religion which He commanded Noah to follow, and which We have revealed to you, and which We commanded Abraham, Moses, and Jesus to uphold—that you maintain the religion and do not divide therein.
Reference: Ash-Shura:13
[اِنَّ الَّذِیۡنَ فَرَّقُوۡا دِیۡنَہُمۡ وَ کَانُوۡا شِیَعًا لَّسۡتَ مِنۡہُمۡ فِیۡ شَیۡءٍ]
Do not be like those who became divided and differed after the clear proofs had come to them.
Reference: Al-An’am:159
To eliminate sectarianism in religion, Allah Almighty commands:
[وَاعۡتَصِمُوۡا بِحَبۡلِ اللّٰہِ جَمِیۡعًا وَّ لَا تَفَرَّقُوۡا] Hold firmly to the rope of Allah all together and do not become divided.
Reference: Al-Imran:103
This is only possible if all sects abandon everything else and adopt only the Quran and Hadith.
The polytheists considered opposing and disobeying the ruling authority as a great virtue for themselves, and obedience and submission as disgrace and humiliation. However, the Mercy to the Worlds ﷺ opposed them and commanded that even if the ruler of the time is unjust, patience should be exercised, and he should be advised while obeying and submitting to him. According to the authentic narration in Musnad Ahmad, the above three matters have been combined by the Messenger of Allah ﷺ in a single hadith. He ﷺ said: [إن الله عز وجل رضي لكم ثلاثا، وكره لكم ثلاثا: رضي لكم أن تعبدوه ولا تشركوا به شيئا، وأن تنصحوا لمن ولاه الله أمركم، وأن تعتصموا بحبل الله جميعا ولا تفرقوا]
Indeed, Allah has liked three things for you and disliked three things. He has liked for you to worship Him and not associate anyone with Him, to advise whoever Allah appoints as your ruler, and for you all to hold firmly to the rope of Allah and not be divided into sects.
Reference: Musnad Ahmad:8718
As long as people avoided the above three matters, they lived in peace and tranquility, but when they became involved in sins, not only was their religion destroyed, but the paths to worldly progress were also closed.
The polytheists had established many principles of their religion, among which imitation was foremost. The greatest and most important rule of the polytheists of the world was to imitate their predecessors, the righteous. The Quran explains this bad belief as follows: [وَ کَذٰلِکَ مَاۤ اَرۡسَلۡنَا مِنۡ قَبۡلِکَ فِیۡ قَرۡیَۃٍ مِّنۡ نَّذِیۡرٍ اِلَّا قَالَ مُتۡرَفُوۡہَاۤ ۙ اِنَّا وَجَدۡنَاۤ اٰبَآءَنَا عَلٰۤی اُمَّۃٍ وَّ اِنَّا عَلٰۤی اٰثٰرِہِمۡ مُّقۡتَدُوۡنَ]
And thus We did not send any warner before you to any town but its affluent said, "We found our forefathers upon a way, and we are following in their footsteps."
Reference: Az-Zukhruf:23
[وَ اِذَا قِیۡلَ لَہُمُ اتَّبِعُوۡا مَاۤ اَنۡزَلَ اللّٰہُ قَالُوۡا بَلۡ نَتَّبِعُ مَا وَجَدۡنَا عَلَیۡہِ اٰبَآءَنَا ؕ اَوَ لَوۡ کَانَ الشَّیۡطٰنُ یَدۡعُوۡہُمۡ اِلٰی عَذَابِ السَّعِیۡرِ]
And when it is said to them, "Follow what Allah has revealed," they say, "Nay, we will follow that which we found our forefathers upon." Even though Satan calls them to the punishment of the Blaze.
Reference: Luqman:21
The Merciful Lord warns them against blind imitation in this way:
[قُلۡ اِنَّمَاۤ اَعِظُکُمۡ بِوَاحِدَۃٍ ۚ اَنۡ تَقُوۡمُوۡا لِلّٰہِ مَثۡنٰی وَ فُرَادٰی ثُمَّ تَتَفَکَّرُوۡا ۟ مَا بِصَاحِبِکُمۡ مِّنۡ جِنَّۃٍ]
Say, "I only advise you of one thing: that you stand for Allah in pairs and individually, then reflect. Your companion is not mad."
Reference: Saba: 46
[اِتَّبِعُوۡا مَاۤ اُنۡزِلَ اِلَیۡکُمۡ مِّنۡ رَّبِّکُمۡ وَ لَا تَتَّبِعُوۡا مِنۡ دُوۡنِہٖۤ اَوۡلِیَآءَ ؕ قَلِیۡلًا مَّا تَذَکَّرُوۡنَ]
O people! Follow what has been revealed to you from your Lord and do not follow other companions besides Him, and you seldom accept admonition.
Reference: Al-A'raf: 3
One important principle of the polytheists was that they took pride in their multitude; they measured the correctness or incorrectness of something by the scale of scarcity or abundance, whereas the judgment of any matter is based on evidence, not on the number of people. The Merciful Lord has declared this criterion wrong and futile at many places in the Holy Quran. A separate discussion on this topic is included later in this book.
The people of ignorance used to present the lifestyle of their ancestors as a proof. The Merciful Lord describes their belief in this way:
__ARABIC_12So what happened to the earlier people?
Reference: Taha:51
ARABIC_13__We never heard this matter in our forefathers.
Reference: Al-Mu’minun:23
The polytheists used to present as evidence in their favor those individuals who were endowed with mental and intellectual abilities, and they also considered as their leaders those who were either kings or who possessed abundant wealth and lived a life of luxury and comfort. The Lord of Glory and Honor says:
[وَ لَقَدۡ مَکَّنّٰہُمۡ فِیۡمَاۤ اِنۡ مَّکَّنّٰکُمۡ فِیۡہِ]And We had given them powers which We have not given to you.
Reference: Al-Ahqaf:26
[وَ کَانُوۡا مِنۡ قَبۡلُ یَسۡتَفۡتِحُوۡنَ عَلَی الَّذِیۡنَ کَفَرُوۡا ۚ فَلَمَّا جَآءَہُمۡ مَّا عَرَفُوۡا کَفَرُوۡا بِہٖ فَلَعۡنَۃُ اللّٰہِ عَلَی الۡکٰفِرِیۡنَ]
And they used to seek victory over the disbelievers, but when that which they recognized came to them, they disbelieved in it. So, curse be upon the disbelievers.
Reference: Al-Baqarah:89
[یَعۡرِفُوۡنَہٗ کَمَا یَعۡرِفُوۡنَ اَبۡنَآءَہُمۡ]They recognize him (the Messenger) as they recognize their own sons.
Reference: Al-Baqarah:146
One of the bad habits of the polytheists was that they would say something is wrong because those who accept it are weak and poor people. The Holy Quran has exposed this bad habit of theirs as follows: [قَالُوۡۤا اَنُؤۡمِنُ لَکَ وَ اتَّبَعَکَ الۡاَرۡذَلُوۡنَ]
They said, "Shall we believe in you while the followers of yours are the lowliest people?"
Reference: Ash-Shu'ara:111
[اَہٰۤؤُلَآءِ مَنَّ اللّٰہُ عَلَیۡہِمۡ مِّنۡۢ بَیۡنِنَا] Are these the people on whom Allah has bestowed favor from among us?
Reference: Al-An'am:53
Allah the Exalted denies this bad habit: [اَلَیۡسَ اللّٰہُ بِاَعۡلَمَ بِالشّٰکِرِیۡنَ] Does Allah not know those who are grateful?
Reference: Al-An'am:53
The people of ignorance and the polytheists used to consider the wicked and corrupt scholars as their leaders, therefore Allah Almighty guided the believers as follows:
[یٰۤاَیُّہَا الَّذِیۡنَ اٰمَنُوۡۤا اِنَّ کَثِیۡرًا مِّنَ الۡاَحۡبَارِ وَ الرُّہۡبَانِ لَیَاۡکُلُوۡنَ اَمۡوَالَ النَّاسِ بِالۡبَاطِلِ وَ یَصُدُّوۡنَ عَنۡ سَبِیۡلِ اللّٰہِ]
O believers! Many scholars and monks consume people's wealth unjustly and hinder [them] from the way of Allah.
Reference: At-Tawbah:34
Rebuking the polytheists, He said: [لَا تَغۡلُوۡا فِیۡ دِیۡنِکُمۡ غَیۡرَ الۡحَقِّ وَ لَا تَتَّبِعُوۡۤا اَہۡوَآءَ قَوۡمٍ قَدۡ ضَلُّوۡا مِنۡ قَبۡلُ وَ اَضَلُّوۡا کَثِیۡرًا وَّ ضَلُّوۡا عَنۡ سَوَآءِ السَّبِیۡلِ]
Say, "O People of the Scripture! Do not exceed limits in your religion beyond the truth and do not follow the desires of those who went astray before and misled many and have strayed from the right way."
Reference: Al-Ma'idah:77
The polytheists did not accept the true religion also because, in their view, it was accepted by those who were devoid of understanding and memory power. The Holy Quran clarifies their crookedness as follows: [اَرَاذِلُنَا بَادِیَ الرَّاۡیِ]
And We also see that your followers are the lowest of the low among us, and they are also from apparent opinion.
Reference: Hud:27
Among the polytheists, reasoning by false analogy was common, such as: [اِنۡ اَنۡتُمۡ اِلَّا بَشَرٌ مِّثۡلُنَا]You are a man like us.
Reference: Ibrahim:10
Denying correct analogy was also a habit of the polytheists. The reason for reasoning by false analogy and denying correct analogy was that they did not understand the distinguishing cause between the two.
It was a common practice among the people of ignorance to exaggerate in the respect and honor of their scholars and righteous people of the nation. The Lord Almighty forbade exaggeration as follows:
[یٰۤاَہۡلَ الۡکِتٰبِ لَا تَغۡلُوۡا فِیۡ دِیۡنِکُمۡ وَ لَا تَقُوۡلُوۡا عَلَی اللّٰہِ اِلَّا الۡحَقَّ]
O People of the Book! Do not exceed the limits in your religion, and do not say anything about Allah except the truth.
Reference: An-Nisa:171
[14] Negation and Affirmation:
The basis of the evil deeds of the polytheists mentioned in number (13) above was based on a principle, which was negation and affirmation, i.e., rejecting the guidance revealed by Allah and following their own conjectures and assumptions.
One of the bad habits of the polytheists was that they rejected divine commands by saying that these are beyond our understanding, such as:
[وَقَالُوۡا قُلُوۡبُنَا غُلۡفٌ] And they say, "Our hearts are under coverings."
Reference: Al-Baqarah: 88
[یٰشُعَیۡبُ مَا نَفۡقَہُ کَثِیۡرًا مِّمَّا تَقُوۡلُ] O Shu'ayb! Many of your words are not understood by us.
Reference: Hud: 91
Allah Almighty declared them liars and said that their stubbornness was due to their disbelief and the sealing of their hearts.
It was also a habit of the polytheists to follow books of magic instead of divine books. Allah Almighty has mentioned their act as follows:
[نَبَذَ فَرِیۡقٌ مِّنَ الَّذِیۡنَ اُوۡتُوا الۡکِتٰبَ کِتٰبَ اللّٰہِ وَرَآءَ ظُہُوۡرِہِمۡ کَاَنَّہُمۡ لَا یَعۡلَمُوۡنَ]،[وَ اتَّبَعُوۡا مَا تَتۡلُوا الشَّیٰطِیۡنُ عَلٰی مُلۡکِ سُلَیۡمٰنَ]
Among those who were given the Scripture, a group threw it behind their backs, as if they did not know, and followed that which the devils used to recite during the reign of Solomon (peace be upon him).
Reference: Al-Baqarah:101-102
One disbelief principle of the polytheists was that they attributed their disbelieving and polytheistic actions to the Prophets, as the Noble Lord declares while disassociating from the Prophets: [وَمَا کَفَرَ سُلَیۡمٰنُ وَ لٰکِنَّ الشَّیٰطِیۡنَ کَفَرُوۡا]
And Solomon (peace be upon him) did not speak of absolute disbelief, but it was the devils who disbelieved.
Reference: Al-Baqarah:102
[مَا کَانَ اِبۡرٰہِیۡمُ یَہُوۡدِیًّا وَّ لَا نَصۡرَانِیًّا وَّ لٰکِنۡ کَانَ حَنِیۡفًا مُّسۡلِمًا ؕ وَ مَا کَانَ مِنَ الۡمُشۡرِکِیۡنَ]
Ibrahim (Abraham) was neither a Jew nor a Christian, but he was one who was most free from all and was a servant of one God, and was not among the polytheists.
Reference: Aal Imran:67
[18] Contradiction in Attribution:
One of the two-faced and hypocritical traits of the polytheists was that they attributed themselves to Ibrahim (peace be upon him) and said that they were followers of Ibrahim, but they turned away from following him.
[19] Finding Fault:
Due to the vile actions of some Sufis, the Arab polytheists did not refrain from criticizing and mocking the righteous people of the Ummah, just as the Jews accused Jesus (peace be upon him) and the Christians attributed madness and other such things to the Jews as well as to the Mercy of the Worlds ﷺ. العیاذ باللہ!
[20] Considering soothsaying as a miracle:
The Arab polytheists used to attribute the trickery of magicians and soothsayers to the noble saints, and sometimes they did not hesitate to attribute this trickery even to the Prophets, such as attributing magic to Solomon (peace be upon him).
The worship of the polytheists was limited to whistling and clapping. Allah Almighty describes their vile act as follows:
[وَمَا کَانَ صَلَاتُہُمۡ عِنۡدَ الۡبَیۡتِ اِلَّا مُکَآءً وَّ تَصۡدِیَۃً] And their prayer at the House (Kaaba) was nothing but whistling and clapping.
Reference: Al-Anfal:35
The polytheists had made play and spectacle their religion; worldly pleasures had deceived them, and due to the abundance of wealth and possessions, they assumed that Allah was pleased with them. The Merciful Lord describes their false assumption as follows:
[وَ قَالُوۡا نَحۡنُ اَکۡثَرُ اَمۡوَالًا وَّ اَوۡلَادًا ۙ وَّ مَا نَحۡنُ بِمُعَذَّبِیۡنَ] And they say, "We have plenty of wealth and children, and we will not be punished."
Reference: Saba:35
The weak and poor people were the first to accept Islam, so the polytheists, out of arrogance and selfishness, refused to accept the truth. Considering the respect for the poor Muslims, Allah addresses His Messenger ﷺ as follows:
[وَ لَا تَطۡرُدِ الَّذِیۡنَ یَدۡعُوۡنَ رَبَّہُمۡ بِالۡغَدٰوۃِ وَ الۡعَشِیِّ یُرِیۡدُوۡنَ وَجۡہَہٗ]
And those who pray to their Lord morning and evening, seeking His countenance, do not turn them away.
Reference: Al-An'am:52
According to the polytheists, one reason for the error of divine laws was that those who accepted them were weak individuals. The Quran itself narrates this false argument of the polytheists: [لَوۡ کَانَ خَیۡرًا مَّا سَبَقُوۡنَاۤ اِلَیۡہِ]
If this religion were better, these people would not have rushed towards it before us.
Reference: Al-Ahqaf:11
[25] Distortion:
After reflecting on the divine books and understanding them correctly, distorting them was a favorite pastime of the polytheists.
One pastime of the polytheists of the world was to write false and obscene books and then shamelessly claim that these were revealed by Allah Almighty. The Merciful Lord clarifies their obscenity as follows:
[فَوَیۡلٌ لِّلَّذِیۡنَ یَکۡتُبُوۡنَ الۡکِتٰبَ بِاَیۡدِیۡہِمۡ ثُمَّ یَقُوۡلُوۡنَ ہٰذَا مِنۡ عِنۡدِ اللّٰہِ]
So woe to those who write the Book with their own hands and then say, "This is from Allah," to sell it for a small price. Woe to them for what their hands have written.
Reference: Al-Baqarah:79
The Arab polytheists accepted only those matters which conformed to the reprehensible beliefs of their group, such as their saying:
[نُؤۡمِنُ بِمَاۤ اُنۡزِلَ عَلَیۡنَا وَ یَکۡفُرُوۡنَ بِمَا وَرَآءَہٗ]
We believe only in that Book which has been revealed to us, and we reject whatever is beyond that.
Reference: Al-Baqarah:91
One of the vile traits of the polytheists of the world was that they did not even try to understand the correct statements of the wise and knowledgeable people of their own group. Allah Almighty has warned them about this very trait:
[قُلۡ فَلِمَ تَقۡتُلُوۡنَ اَنۡۢبِیَآءَ اللّٰہِ مِنۡ قَبۡلُ اِنۡ کُنۡتُمۡ مُّؤۡمِنِیۡنَ]
If you were true believers, you would not have killed the prophets of Allah in the first place.
Reference: Al-Baqarah:91
One of the wonders of creation is that when the Arab polytheists abandoned the divine injunction of unity and harmony and committed disunity and discord, each group was proud and joyful of its own character. [مِنَ الَّذِیۡنَ فَرَّقُوۡا دِیۡنَہُمۡ وَ کَانُوۡا شِیَعًا ؕ کُلُّ حِزۡبٍۭ بِمَا لَدَیۡہِمۡ فَرِحُوۡنَ] ان لوگوں سے جنھوں نے اپنے دین کو ٹکڑے ٹکڑے کر دیا اور کئی گروہ ہوگئے، ہر گروہ اسی پر جو ان کے پاس ہے، خوش ہیں۔
Reference: Ar-Rum:32
[30] Opposing one's own sect:
It is also a marvel of the signs of Divine power that the Arab polytheists, to whose religion and faith they attributed themselves, held immense hatred and enmity towards that very religion, and had extreme love and affection for the disbelievers and their religion and faith, who were mortal enemies of them and their Prophet ﷺ, as was the case of the polytheists with the Mercy to the Worlds ﷺ. When the Messenger of Allah ﷺ introduced them to the religion of Sayyiduna Musa (peace be upon him), they adopted books of magic which were entirely the inheritance of the descendants of Pharaoh.
The polytheists' denial of truth and reality, even when it was with a person whom they considered weak. The Holy Quran describes this trait of theirs as follows:
[وَ قَالَتِ الۡیَہُوۡدُ لَیۡسَتِ النَّصٰرٰی عَلٰی شَیۡءٍ ۪ وَّ قَالَتِ النَّصٰرٰی لَیۡسَتِ الۡیَہُوۡدُ عَلٰی شَیۡءٍ]
The Jews say, "The Christians are not on the right path," and the Christians say, "The Jews are not on the right path."
Reference: Al-Baqarah:113
The disavowal by the polytheists of those practices which they considered the foundation of their religion, such as the pilgrimage to the House of Allah. Allah Almighty calls their approach foolish and says:
[وَ مَنۡ یَّرۡغَبُ عَنۡ مِّلَّۃِ اِبۡرٰہٖمَ اِلَّا مَنۡ سَفِہَ نَفۡسَہٗ] And who turns away from the religion of Abraham except one who makes a fool of himself?
Reference: Al-Baqarah:130
In the competition among the groups of the polytheists of the world, every sect considered only their own group as the savior. The Lord Almighty denied them and said:
[قُلۡ ہَاتُوۡا بُرۡہَانَکُمۡ اِنۡ کُنۡتُمۡ صٰدِقِیۡنَ] If you should be truthful, then bring your proof.
Reference: Al-Baqarah:111
And then He pointed out the truth and the straight path:
[بَلٰی مَنۡ اَسۡلَمَ وَجۡہَہٗ لِلّٰہِ وَ ہُوَ مُحۡسِنٌ فَلَہٗۤ اَجۡرُہٗ عِنۡدَ رَبِّہٖ] Yes! Whoever submits his face in Islam to Allah while being a doer of good will have his reward with his Lord.
Reference: Al-Baqarah:112
Among the polytheists, nudity was considered the best form of worship, such as:
[وَ اِذَا فَعَلُوۡا فَاحِشَۃً قَالُوۡا وَجَدۡنَا عَلَیۡہَاۤ اٰبَآءَنَا وَ اللّٰہُ اَمَرَنَا بِہَا] And when they commit an indecent act, they say, "We found our fathers doing it, and Allah has commanded us to do it."
Reference: Al-A'raf:28
[35] Declaring the forbidden as permissible:
Among the polytheists, declaring the forbidden as permissible was considered the highest form of obedience, just as they used to interpret polytheism as worship.
[36] Considering anyone other than Allah as the Giver and Reliever of difficulties:
Among the polytheists of the world, scholars and spiritual leaders were also considered as lords, that is, givers and relievers of difficulties besides Allah, and this was also regarded as worship.
Reference: (Al Imran: 64, 79, 80)
The polytheists also committed deviation in the divine attributes, as Allah Almighty says:
[وَ لٰکِنۡ ظَنَنۡتُمۡ اَنَّ اللّٰہَ لَا یَعۡلَمُ کَثِیۡرًا مِّمَّا تَعۡمَلُوۡنَ] You thought that Allah was unaware of many of your deeds.
Reference: Ha Mim As-Sajda: 22
The polytheists deviated in the divine names, such as:
[وَ ہُمۡ یَکۡفُرُوۡنَ بِالرَّحۡمٰنِ] And these people do not believe in the Most Merciful.
Reference: Ar-Ra'd: 30
[39] The Arab polytheists also believed in negation (ta'til), like the statement of the family of Pharaoh.
[40] The polytheists used to attribute defects to Allah Almighty.
[41] The polytheists associated partners in Allah’s ownership, as the Magians used to say.
[42] Denial of predestination.
[43] Establishing arguments against Allah Almighty.
[44] Using divine predestination as a pretext to act against the Shariah.
[وَ مَا یُہۡلِکُنَاۤ اِلَّا الدَّہۡرُ] And indeed, time itself destroys us.
Reference: Al-Jathiyah:24
[یَعۡرِفُوۡنَ نِعۡمَتَ اللّٰہِ ثُمَّ یُنۡکِرُوۡنَہَا] They are aware of Allah's blessings but deny them.
Reference: An-Nahl:83
[47] Denying the verses of Allah.
[48] Denying some of the verses.
[مَاۤ اَنۡزَلَ اللّٰہُ عَلٰی بَشَرٍ مِّنۡ شَیۡءٍ] Allah has not revealed anything to man.
Reference: Al-An'am:91
[اِنۡ ہٰذَاۤ اِلَّا قَوۡلُ الۡبَشَرِ] This is the speech of a human being.
Reference: Al-Muddathir:25
[51] Finding fault in Allah's wisdom.
So that the divine religion brought by the Prophets, peace be upon them, may be ended:
[وَ مَکَرُوۡا وَ مَکَرَ اللّٰہُ] Those people planned a secret plan, and Allah also planned a secret plan.
Reference: Al-Imran:54
[وَ قَالَتۡ طَّآئِفَۃٌ مِّنۡ اَہۡلِ الۡکِتٰبِ اٰمِنُوۡا بِالَّذِیۡۤ اُنۡزِلَ عَلَی الَّذِیۡنَ اٰمَنُوۡا وَجۡہَ النَّہَارِ وَ اکۡفُرُوۡۤا اٰخِرَہٗ لَعَلَّہُمۡ یَرۡجِعُوۡنَ] And the People of the Book say to one another, "Believe in what was revealed to the believers at the beginning of the day, and disbelieve at its end, so that they may turn back."
Reference: Al-Imran:72
[53] Acknowledging the truth with the intention of finding a way to deny it.
Using religious prejudice was also a common practice of the polytheists, such as:
[وَ لَا تُؤۡمِنُوۡۤا اِلَّا لِمَنۡ تَبِعَ دِیۡنَکُمۡ] And not to believe in anyone except those who follow your religion.
Reference: Al-Imran:73
such as: [مَا کَانَ لِبَشَرٍ اَنۡ یُّؤۡتِیَہُ اللّٰہُ الۡکِتٰبَ وَ الۡحُکۡمَ وَ النُّبُوَّۃَ ثُمَّ یَقُوۡلَ لِلنَّاسِ کُوۡنُوۡا عِبَادًا لِّیۡ مِنۡ دُوۡنِ اللّٰہِ] It is not for any man that Allah should give him the Scripture, authority, and prophethood, and then he says to the people, "Be my servants instead of Allah's."
Reference: Al-Imran:79
[56] Altering the divine scripture was a second nature of the polytheists.
[57] Calling the people of truth irreligious and vile epithets.
[58] Lying and fabricating falsehoods against the pure essence of the Lord Almighty.
[59] When the polytheists were defeated and overcome by arguments, they would then complain and take their grievances to kings and rulers,
such as: [اَتَذَرُ مُوۡسٰی وَ قَوۡمَہٗ لِیُفۡسِدُوۡا فِی الۡاَرۡضِ] Will you leave Moses and his people to cause corruption in the land?
Reference: Al-A'raf:127
[60] Accusing the people of Islam of being corrupt was also a particular vice of the polytheists, as mentioned earlier in this book.
Like: [وَ یَذَرَکَ وَ اٰلِہَتَکَ] and you and your gods should remain forsaken.
Reference: Al-A'raf:127
Pharaoh said to his people:
[اِنِّیۡۤ اَخَافُ اَنۡ یُّبَدِّلَ دِیۡنَکُمۡ] I fear that he may change your religion.
Reference: Al-Mu’min:26
[62] One of the accusations of the polytheists against the people of Islam was that they find faults in royal gods, as mentioned earlier.
[63] Another false accusation of the polytheists against the people of Islam was that they would alter the religion:
Like: [اِنِّیۡۤ اَخَافُ اَنۡ یُّبَدِّلَ دِیۡنَکُمۡ اَوۡ اَنۡ یُّظۡہِرَ فِی الۡاَرۡضِ الۡفَسَادَ]
I fear that he may change your religion or cause corruption in the land.
Reference: Al-Mu’min:26
[64] Another accusation against the people of Islam was that they criticize the king. The word ،،وَيَذَرَكَ،، in the Holy Quran clarifies this meaning.
The polytheists claimed to act upon the truths present in their religion, such as:
[نُؤۡمِنُ بِمَاۤ اُنۡزِلَ عَلَیۡنَا] They say, "We believe in what was revealed to us."
Reference: Al-Baqarah:91
But in reality, they had abandoned them.
[66] Excessiveness:
The polytheists considered increasing acts of worship as a matter of honor.
[67] Negligence:
The polytheists were also guilty of reducing acts of worship, such as abandoning standing at Arafat.
[68] Abandonment of obligatory acts:
Abandoning obligatory duties under the pretext of abstinence was also common among the polytheists.
[69] Avoiding pure sustenance was considered the best worship by the polytheists.
[70] Not wearing the beautiful clothes granted by the Merciful Lord was also a form of worship for the polytheists.
[71] Inviting people towards misguidance was a special pastime of the Arab polytheists.
But in reality, they had abandoned the Shariah. Allah the Generous demanded obedience from them as follows:
[قُلۡ اِنۡ کُنۡتُمۡ تُحِبُّوۡنَ اللّٰہَ فَاتَّبِعُوۡنِیۡ یُحۡبِبۡکُمُ اللّٰہُ] Say, if you love Allah, then follow me, Allah will love you.
Reference: Al Imran:31
[73] Publicly inviting people towards deliberate disbelief.
[74] Deceit, fraud, and dangerous conspiracies were the day and night play of the Arab polytheists, just like the bad habit of the people of Noah.
It was either in the hands of corrupt scholars or controlled by ignorant mystics. The Holy Quran explains this as follows:
[وَ قَدۡ کَانَ فَرِیۡقٌ مِّنۡہُمۡ یَسۡمَعُوۡنَ کَلٰمَ اللّٰہِ ثُمَّ یُحَرِّفُوۡنَہٗ مِنۡۢ بَعۡدِ مَا عَقَلُوۡہُ وَ ہُمۡ یَعۡلَمُوۡنَ] Among them are some who listen to the Word of Allah, then after understanding it, deliberately change it.
Reference: Al-Baqarah:75
Like: [وَ قَالُوۡا لَنۡ تَمَسَّنَا النَّارُ اِلَّاۤ اَیَّامًا مَّعۡدُوۡدَۃً] and they say that the fire (of Hell) will not touch us except for a few days.
Reference: Al-Baqarah:80
They were caught in the misconception of entering Paradise as follows:
[لَنۡ یَّدۡخُلَ الۡجَنَّۃَ اِلَّا مَنۡ کَانَ ہُوۡدًا اَوۡ نَصٰرٰی] No one will enter Paradise except the Jews and the Christians.
Reference: Al-Baqarah:111
[77] Making the graves of the Prophets and the righteous of the Ummah places of worship was the worst act of the polytheists.
[78] Making the relics of the Prophets (peace be upon them) places of worship was also a common practice of ignorance, as narrated from Sayyiduna Umar (may Allah be pleased with him).
[79] Lighting lamps on graves was also a misdeed of the polytheists. Applying clay on graves and holding commemorative gatherings (Urs) was also a custom of the people of ignorance.
[80] Sacrificing animals near graves was also an important act of worship for the polytheists.
[81] Seeking blessings from the relics of the elders was also a habit of the people of ignorance.
[82] Taking pride in family nobility.
[83] Finding faults in lineage and relationships.
[84] Believing that rain falls from different stations of the stars.
[85] Lamenting and wailing.
[86] Taking pride in one's lineage was a great virtue among the polytheists. Therefore, the Holy Quran has refuted this at many places.
The polytheists considered themselves to be of great virtue, but Islam prohibited pride.
Reference: Muslim, Book of Paradise and its Delights, Chapter on Attributes.... etc: 2865
[88] The most important and essential duty of the polytheists was to love the members of their own sect deeply and to help them in every situation, whether they were oppressors or oppressed. The Lord Almighty has strongly condemned this.
[89] In the religion of the polytheists, it was permissible to hold one person accountable for the sin of another:
In refutation of this, the Divine command is:
[وَ لَا تَزِرُ وَازِرَۃٌ وِّزۡرَ اُخۡرٰی] No person shall bear the burden of another's sin.
Reference: Al-An'am: 164
For example, once Abu Dharr al-Ghifari (may Allah be pleased with him) said about a person's mother: (يا ابن سوداء!) O son of a black mother! Upon hearing this, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ came forward in anger and said: (أعيرته بأمه، إنك امرؤ فيك جاهلية)
You have insulted him regarding his mother; the scent of ignorance still remains in you.
Reference: Bukhari, Book of Faith, Chapter on Sins from the Era of Ignorance ...... etc: 31], [Muslim, Book of Faith, Chapter on Feeding a Slave from What One Eats... etc: 1661
It was the habit of the polytheists. Allah Almighty condemns them in this way:
[مُسۡتَکۡبِرِیۡنَ بِہٖ سٰمِرًا تَہۡجُرُوۡنَ] They were arrogant, engaged in stories, and spoke nonsense.
Reference: Al-Mu’minun:67
On this false assumption, the Generous Lord warns them thus: [تِلۡکَ اُمَّۃٌ قَدۡ خَلَتۡ ۚ لَہَا مَا کَسَبَتۡ] That group has passed away; they will be recompensed for their deeds.
Reference: Al-Baqarah:134
[93] Taking pride in craftsmanship and trades, such as when the camel-riding traders expressed their superiority over the farmers.
Allah Almighty narrates their words thus: [لَوۡ لَا نُزِّلَ ہٰذَا الۡقُرۡاٰنُ عَلٰی رَجُلٍ مِّنَ الۡقَرۡیَتَیۡنِ عَظِیۡمٍ] Why was this Qur’an not sent down upon a great man from one of the two cities?
Reference: Az-Zukhruf:31
Therefore, Allah Almighty addressed His Beloved ﷺ thus: [وَ لَا تَطۡرُدِ الَّذِیۡنَ یَدۡعُوۡنَ رَبَّہُمۡ بِالۡغَدٰوۃِ وَ الۡعَشِیِّ یُرِیۡدُوۡنَ وَجۡہَہٗ] Those who call upon their Lord morning and evening, seeking His presence, do not drive them away.
Reference: Al-An’am:52
The polytheists of the world used to accuse those who obeyed and followed the Prophets, peace be upon them, of being insincere and worldly. The Merciful Lord said: [مَا عَلَیۡکَ مِنۡ حِسَابِہِمۡ مِّنۡ شَیۡءٍ] Their reckoning is not your responsibility.
Reference: Al-An'am:52
[97] Denial of angels.
[98] Denial of the Prophets, peace be upon them.
[99] Denial of the revealed scriptures.
[100] Disregard for the commands of Allah Almighty.
[101] Denial of the Day of Judgment.
[102] Denial of meeting Allah Almighty.
Some of the prophecies made by the Prophets, peace be upon them, about the Day of Judgment were denied. Allah Almighty informs about this trait of the polytheists as follows: [اُولٰٓئِکَ الَّذِیۡنَ کَفَرُوۡا بِاٰیٰتِ رَبِّہِمۡ] They are the ones who denied the signs of Allah (that Allah is the Master of the Day of Judgment).
Reference: Al-Kahf:105
[لَّا بَیۡعٌ فِیۡہِ وَ لَا خُلَّۃٌ وَّ لَا شَفَاعَۃٌ]
Reference: Al-Baqarah:254
Denial of this is also among the false beliefs of the polytheists.
[104] Belief in jinn and tyrants was their principle.
[105] It was a common practice of the people of ignorance to give superiority to the religion of the polytheists over the religion of the Muslims.
[106] Mixing truth with falsehood.
[107] Concealing the truth despite knowing it.
[108] The misleading principle of the polytheists was that they attributed many absurdities to Allah Almighty without knowledge.
As they attributed to Allah Almighty:
[بَلۡ کَذَّبُوۡا بِالۡحَقِّ لَمَّا جَآءَہُمۡ فَہُمۡ فِیۡۤ اَمۡرٍ مَّرِیۡجٍ] Rather, when the truth came to them, they said, "This is falsehood." So they are in a confused state.
Reference: Q:5
[110] Believing in some commandments revealed by Allah Almighty and denying others.
[111] Differentiating among the Prophets, peace be upon them.
[112] Opposing the Prophets, peace be upon them, without knowledge.
[113] Claiming obedience to the predecessors of the Ummah but opposing them in actions and behavior.
[114] Preventing those who believe in the Prophets, peace be upon them, from following the path of Allah Almighty.
[115] Loving disbelief and disbelievers.
[116] Divining by releasing birds.
[117] Drawing lines or marks on the ground for divination.
[118] Taking bad omens.
[119] Becoming a soothsayer or going to a soothsayer.
[120] Taking decisions from any tyrant.
[121] Considering the marriage of a slave woman and a slave as bad.
