Written by: Sheikh Mubashir Ahmad Rabbani (may Allah protect him)
Question:
Is shirk (associating partners with Allah) an unforgivable sin?
Answer:
Shirk is the greatest of all sins. Allah has stated: "Indeed, shirk is a great injustice." In the Ahadith, shirk has been classified as the greatest of the major sins. Allah mentions in the Qur'an:
"Indeed, whoever associates others with Allah, Allah has forbidden Paradise for him, and his refuge will be the Fire."
[Surah Al-Ma'idah, 5:72]
Therefore, anyone who dies in a state of shirk, without repentance, will reside in Hell for eternity. Such a person will neither receive forgiveness nor benefit from the intercession of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). Allah further says in the Qur'an:
"It is not for the Prophet and those who believe to ask forgiveness for the polytheists, even if they were relatives, after it has become clear to them that they are the companions of Hell."
[Surah At-Tawbah, 9:113]
Imam Ibn Jarir al-Tabari (may Allah have mercy on him) explained the phrase "after it has become clear to them" as meaning: "after they have died in the state of shirk." In other words, it is not permissible to seek forgiveness for anyone who dies in the state of shirk .
From this clarification, it becomes evident that shirk is the greatest of all major sins (Akbar al-Kaba'ir), and those who die upon it are destined for Hell without forgiveness. Paradise is forbidden for them. However, if Allah grants someone the opportunity to repent before their death, and they abandon shirk and embrace tawhid (the oneness of Allah), their sin of shirk will be forgiven.
It is also important to remember that acts and beliefs of shirk apply to everyone, whether they are non-Muslims or Muslims. If a Muslim adopts beliefs or practices associated with shirk, they too become a mushrik (one who commits shirk). Shirk occurs when a person associates partners with Allah in His essence, attributes, or worship. For instance, if someone attributes Allah's exclusive knowledge of the unseen ('Alim al-Ghayb wa ash-Shahada) to any creation, they commit shirk.
For further details, refer to: Kitab at-Tawhid, Tawhid Khalis, and Hidayat al-Mustafid.
Question:
Is shirk (associating partners with Allah) an unforgivable sin?
Answer:
Shirk is the greatest of all sins. Allah has stated: "Indeed, shirk is a great injustice." In the Ahadith, shirk has been classified as the greatest of the major sins. Allah mentions in the Qur'an:
"Indeed, whoever associates others with Allah, Allah has forbidden Paradise for him, and his refuge will be the Fire."
[Surah Al-Ma'idah, 5:72]
Therefore, anyone who dies in a state of shirk, without repentance, will reside in Hell for eternity. Such a person will neither receive forgiveness nor benefit from the intercession of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). Allah further says in the Qur'an:
"It is not for the Prophet and those who believe to ask forgiveness for the polytheists, even if they were relatives, after it has become clear to them that they are the companions of Hell."
[Surah At-Tawbah, 9:113]
Imam Ibn Jarir al-Tabari (may Allah have mercy on him) explained the phrase "after it has become clear to them" as meaning: "after they have died in the state of shirk." In other words, it is not permissible to seek forgiveness for anyone who dies in the state of shirk .
From this clarification, it becomes evident that shirk is the greatest of all major sins (Akbar al-Kaba'ir), and those who die upon it are destined for Hell without forgiveness. Paradise is forbidden for them. However, if Allah grants someone the opportunity to repent before their death, and they abandon shirk and embrace tawhid (the oneness of Allah), their sin of shirk will be forgiven.
It is also important to remember that acts and beliefs of shirk apply to everyone, whether they are non-Muslims or Muslims. If a Muslim adopts beliefs or practices associated with shirk, they too become a mushrik (one who commits shirk). Shirk occurs when a person associates partners with Allah in His essence, attributes, or worship. For instance, if someone attributes Allah's exclusive knowledge of the unseen ('Alim al-Ghayb wa ash-Shahada) to any creation, they commit shirk.
For further details, refer to: Kitab at-Tawhid, Tawhid Khalis, and Hidayat al-Mustafid.