Three Types of Shirk in Worship Among the Arab Polytheists: Qur’anic Evidence Source: Fatawa Arkan-e-Islam
Question
What type of shirk (polytheism) were the Arab polytheists involved in, among whom the Prophet ﷺ was sent?
Answer
Alḥamdulillāh, and blessings and peace be upon the Messenger of Allah. To proceed:
The Mushrikīn (polytheists) to whom the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ was sent were not guilty of shirk in Rubūbiyyah (Lordship).
Rather, the Qur’an makes it clear that they were involved primarily in shirk in worship (‘ibādah).
❖ Their Belief Regarding Lordship (Rubūbiyyah)
◈ They believed that Allah alone is the Creator and Sustainer.
◈ They accepted that Allah alone hears the supplications of the helpless.
◈ They affirmed that only Allah removes afflictions and hardships.
◈ Their acknowledgment of such truths is clearly mentioned in the Qur’an.
❖ Their Shirk in Worship (‘Ibādah)
◈ Despite affirming Allah’s Lordship, they committed shirk by worshipping others along with Allah.
◈ This is a type of shirk that expels one from the fold of Islam.
Meaning of Tawḥīd and Its Categories
Tawḥīd refers to declaring something as one and unique.
Allah has exclusive rights, which must be assigned to Him alone. These rights fall into three categories:
◈ Rights of Sovereignty (Mulk)
◈ Rights of Worship (‘Ibādah)
◈ Rights of Names and Attributes (Asmā’ wa Ṣifāt)
Based on these, the scholars have defined three categories of Tawḥīd:
- Tawḥīd al-Rubūbiyyah (Oneness of Lordship)
- Tawḥīd al-Asmā’ wa al-Ṣifāt (Oneness in Names and Attributes)
- Tawḥīd al-‘Ibādah (Oneness of Worship)
❖ Which Category Did the Polytheists Violate?
The Arab polytheists violated the third type — Tawḥīd al-‘Ibādah.
They worshipped others alongside Allah, despite His command:
﴿وَاعبُدُوا اللَّهَ وَلا تُشرِكوا بِهِ شَيـًٔا﴾
(Surah al-Nisā’, 4:36)
Translation:
“Worship Allah and do not associate anything with Him.”
Qur’anic Proofs for the Severity of Shirk
﴿إِنَّهُ مَن يُشرِك بِاللَّهِ فَقَد حَرَّمَ اللَّهُ عَلَيهِ الجَنَّةَ وَمَأوىهُ النّارُ﴾
(Surah al-Mā’idah, 5:72)
Translation:
“Indeed, whoever associates others with Allah — Allah has forbidden Paradise for him, and his abode is the Fire.”
﴿إِنَّ اللَّهَ لا يَغفِرُ أَن يُشرَكَ بِهِ وَيَغفِرُ ما دونَ ذلِكَ لِمَن يَشاءُ﴾
(Surah al-Nisā’, 4:48)
Translation:
“Indeed, Allah does not forgive that partners be associated with Him, but He forgives what is less than that for whomever He wills.”
﴿ادعونى أَستَجِب لَكُم إِنَّ الَّذينَ يَستَكبِرونَ عَن عِبادَتى سَيَدخُلونَ جَهَنَّمَ داخِرينَ﴾
(Surah Ghāfir, 40:60)
Translation:
“Call upon Me; I will respond to you. Verily, those who are too arrogant to worship Me will enter Hell in humiliation.”
❖ Surah al-Kāfirūn: Declaration of Disavowal from the Idolaters
﴿قُل يـأَيُّهَا الكـفِرونَ ﴿١﴾ لا أَعبُدُ ما تَعبُدونَ ﴿٢﴾ ... لَكُم دينُكُم وَلِىَ دينِ﴾
(Surah al-Kāfirūn, 109:1–6)
Translation:
Say: “O disbelievers! I do not worship what you worship. Nor do you worship what I worship... For you is your religion, and for me is mine.”
Relationship Between Surah al-Kāfirūn and Surah al-Ikhlāṣ
These two chapters of the Qur’an highlight two aspects of sincerity (Ikhlāṣ):
◈ Surah al-Kāfirūn: Clarifies sincerity in action (Ikhlāṣ ʿAmalī)
◈ Surah al-Ikhlāṣ (Qul Huwa Allahu Aḥad): Affirms sincerity in belief and creed (Ikhlāṣ ʿIlmī)
Hence:
✔ Surah al-Kāfirūn — Declaration of pure worship for Allah alone
✔ Surah al-Ikhlāṣ — Declaration of Allah’s unique nature and attributes
❝ Hādhā mā ‘indī, wallāhu a‘lam biṣ-ṣawāb ❞
(This is what I know; and Allah knows best what is right.)
