Source: Sermons of Hafiz Muhammad Ishaq Zahid, compiled by: Tauheed.com
Our previous Friday sermon was about Tauheed, in which we explained in detail the meaning of Tauheed, the importance of Tauheed, the virtue of Tauheed, and the types of Tauheed. Today's sermon is about the opposite of Tauheed (Shirk), in which we will explain إن شاء الله تعالى the meaning of Shirk, the condemnation and refutation of Shirk, and its types, etc. We pray to Allah Almighty that He keeps us steadfast on Tauheed and protects us from the filth of Shirk. Ameen.
Meaning of Shirk
If the concept of Tawheed is what we have in our minds, which we explained in the previous Friday sermon, then understanding the concept of Shirk is also easy. We stated that considering only Allah Almighty as the Creator of the universe, the Owner of the kingdom, the Provider, and the Manager of affairs, and performing all acts of worship solely for Allah Almighty, and acknowledging Him as unique in His names and attributes, is Tawheed. In this regard, the meaning of Shirk would be to consider someone other than Allah Almighty as Creator, Owner, Provider, or Manager of affairs, or to perform any act of worship for anyone other than Allah; this is Shirk.
And if we carefully examine our society keeping in mind this definition of shirk, we will clearly see many forms of shirk. Thus, today many people consider non-Allah as the fulfiller of needs, the solver of difficulties, and the owner of benefit and harm, and on this basis, they offer sacrifices to them, ask from them, slaughter animals at their graves, circumambulate their graves, place hopes on them, harbor their love in their hearts, fear them, call them Ghous, Data, Dastgir, Gharib Nawaz, and Mushkil Kusha, call upon them for help, and trust in them... All these forms are shirk. Similarly, many people hold the belief regarding some saints that their souls have the authority to control the universe, so they go to their graves and present their needs before them. This too is a form of shirk... These various forms of shirk have been presented as examples so that the concept of "shirk" becomes clearly understood.
Maulana Hali (may Allah have mercy on him) lamented the kind of ignorance found in society:
◈ If one worships an idol other than God, they are considered a disbeliever; if one considers the son of God, they are also a disbeliever.
◈ If one prostrates to fire, they are a disbeliever; if one believes in miracles among the stars, they are a disbeliever.
◈ But the paths are open for the believers; they may worship with passion whomever they desire.
◈ They may make the Prophet God if they wish; they may elevate the status of Imams above the Prophet.
◈ They offer vows day and night at shrines and repeatedly ask martyrs for prayers.
◈ Neither does this cause any disturbance in monotheism, nor does it spoil Islam or faith.
Shirk is a horrible crime in the sight of Allah. The Quran and Hadith repeatedly forbid it and refute it in various ways. So now listen to the evidence from the Quran and Hadith condemning shirk!
01. Shirk is the Greatest Oppression
As Allah Almighty says: ﴿اِنَّ الشِّرْكَ لَظُلْمٌ عَظِیْمٌ﴾
Reference: (Luqman 31:12)
"Indeed, shirk is a great injustice."
Hafiz Ibn Kathir, may Allah have mercy on him, says that the greatest oppression means that this is the biggest oppression; there is no oppression greater than this.
Reference: (Tafsir Ibn Kathir: 708/3)
Shirk is the greatest injustice because the polytheist equates a creature made from clay with the Lord Allah, who is the owner of all creatures... and considers the imperfect and needy in every respect equal to that perfect Lord who owns everything... and equates one who does not have the power to obtain even a tiny blessing the size of a grain of mustard seed with that Allah who grants all kinds of blessings to people in the world, who holds the keys to all treasures, and who alone keeps all kinds of evil away from them. So, can there be a greater injustice than this? And who can be a greater oppressor than the person whom Allah Almighty created solely for His worship, but instead of bowing before Allah, the Sovereign of the Kingdom, he bowed before others besides Allah! And he degraded himself to such an extent that instead of worshipping Allah, he began to worship that which has no control over anything.
Reference: (Tafsir Ibn Sa'di:893/2)
Similarly, Allah Almighty says: ﴿اَلَّذِیْنَ آمَنُوْا وَلَمْ یَلْبِسُوْا إِیْمَانَهُمْ بِظُلْمٍ أُولٰئِكَ لَهُمُ الْأَمْنُ وَهُمْ مُّهْتَدُوْنَ﴾
Reference: (Al-An'am 6:82)
"Those who believe and do not mix their faith with injustice (polytheism) - those are the ones who will have security, and they are the rightly guided."
Hazrat Abdullah bin Mas'ud (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that when this verse was revealed: ﴿اَلَّذِیْنَ آمَنُوْا وَلَمْ یَلْبِسُوْا إِیْمَانَهُمْ بِظُلْمٍ أُولٰئِكَ لَهُمُ الْأَمْنُ وَهُمْ مُّهْتَدُوْنَ﴾ it was very distressing for the companions of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him). They said: Who among us has not wronged himself (through sin and disobedience)?
The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: (لَیْسَ هُوَ کَمَا تَظُنُّوْنَ، إِنَّمَا هُوَ کَمَا قَالَ لُقْمَانُ لِابْنِه: ﴿یَا بُنَیَّ لَا تُشْرِكْ بِاللّٰہِ إِنَّ الشِّرْكَ لَظُلْمٌ عَظِیْمٌ﴾)
Reference: (Sahih al-Bukhari: 32, Sahih Muslim: 124, and the wording is his)
"This does not mean what you think, rather it means (polytheism) as Luqman said to his son: O my dear son! Do not associate partners with Allah because associating partners is a great injustice."
02. Allah has forbidden polytheism and declared it unlawful
Allah Almighty says: ﴿وَاعْبُدُوْا اللّٰہَ وَلَا تُشْرِکُوْا بِه شَیْئًا﴾
Reference: (An-Nisa 4:36)
"And worship Allah alone and do not associate anyone with Him."
And He said: ﴿قُلْ تَعَالَوْا اَتْلُ مَا حَرَّمَ رَبُّکُمْ عَلَیْکُمْ اَلَّا تُشْرِکُوْا بِه شَیْئًا﴾
Reference: (Al-An'am 6:151)
"Say, come, I will recite what your Lord has forbidden you: that you associate nothing with Allah..."
From these two verses, it is understood that Allah Almighty has forbidden His servants from associating partners with Him and has declared it forbidden. Therefore, it is obligatory upon the servants to bow their foreheads of need only before Allah, to extend their hands only to Him, and to ask their desires only from Him... and thus keep themselves free from shirk.
03. Shirk is the greatest sin
It is narrated from Hazrat Abu Bakrah (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: "Shall I not tell you about the greatest of sins?" We said: "Yes, O Messenger of Allah!" He (peace be upon him) said: (اَلْإِشْرَاكُ بِاللّٰہِ وَعُقُوْقُ الْوَالِدَیْنِ)
Reference: (Sahih al-Bukhari, Al-Adab, Chapter on Disobedience to Parents among the Major Sins:5976; Sahih Muslim, Al-Iman:87)
"Associating partners with Allah and disobedience to parents."
And it is narrated from Hazrat Abu Huraira (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: (اِجْتَنِبُوا السَّبْعَ الْمُوْبِقَاتِ) "Avoid the seven destructive sins." When he was asked what they were, he (peace be upon him) said: (اَلشِّرْكُ بِاللّٰہِ، وَالسِّحْرُ، وَقَتْلُ النَّفْسِ الَّتِیْ حَرَّمَ اللّٰہُ إِلَّا بِالْحَقِّ، وَأَکْلُ مَالِ الْیَتِیْمِ، وَأَکْلُ الرِّبَا، وَالتَّوَلِّیْ یَوْمَ الزَّحْفِ، وَقَذْفُ الْمُحْصَنَاتِ الْغَافِلَاتِ الْمُؤْمِنَاتِ)
Reference: (Sahih al-Bukhari, Hudud, Chapter on Stoning Adulterers: 6857, Sahih Muslim, Al-Iman: 89)
That is, "Associating partners with Allah (shirk), practicing magic, killing a soul which Allah has made sacred except by right, consuming the property of an orphan, consuming usury (interest), fleeing from the battlefield, and slandering chaste, innocent, believing women."
From these two hadiths, it is established that shirk is the greatest sin and there is no sin greater than it.
04. Shirk is an Unforgivable Crime
If a polytheist does not sincerely repent from shirk and dies while still committing shirk, then this sin is unforgivable. Therefore, Allah will never forgive him and he will remain in Hell forever.
Allah Almighty says: ﴿اِنَّ اللّٰہَ لَا یَغْفِرُ اَنْ یُّشْرَكَ بِهِ وَیَغْفِرُ مَا دُوْنَ ذَلِكَ لِمَنْ یَّشَآءُ وَمَنْ یُّشْرِكْ بِاللّٰہِ فَقَدْ ضَلَّ ضَلَالًا بَعِیْدًا﴾
Reference: (An-Nisa 4:116)
"Indeed, Allah does not forgive associating others with Him, but He forgives anything else of whoever He wills. And whoever associates others with Allah has certainly gone far astray."
From this, it is proven that shirk (associating partners with Allah) is a sin that will not be forgiven. However, for other major sins, if a person dies without repenting, it will be subject to Allah's will. If Allah wills, He will punish him, and if He wills, He will forgive him. But as far as shirk is concerned, it is an unforgivable crime. Therefore, a polytheist must immediately repent from shirk, because repenting before death is the only means of forgiveness for his sins. Besides this, there is no other way for his forgiveness and pardon.
The command of Allah Almighty is: ﴿اِلاَّ مَنْ تَابَ وَآمَنَ وَعَمِلَ عَمَلًا صَالِحًا فَاُوْلٰئِكَ یُبَدِّلُ اللّٰہُ سَیِّئَاتِهِمْ حَسَنَاتٍ وَکَانَ اللّٰہُ غَفُوْرًا رَّحِیْمًا﴾
Reference: (Al-Furqan 25:70)
"Except for those who repent, believe, and do righteous deeds; for those, Allah will replace their evil deeds with good. And ever is Allah Forgiving and Merciful."
05. Shirk Destroys All Good Deeds
Shirk is such a dangerous sin that because of it, all good deeds are destroyed. Prayer, fasting, Hajj, Zakat—in short, all good deeds are ruined and have no value or worth in the sight of Allah.
Allah Almighty says: ﴿وَلَقَدْ اُوْحِیَ اِلَیْكَ وَاِلَی الَّذِیْنَ مِنْ قَبْلِكَ لَئِنْ اَشْرَکْتَ لَیَحْبَطَنَّ عَمَلُكَ وَلَتَکُوْنَنَّ مِنَ الْخَاسِرِیْنَ﴾
Reference: (Az-Zumar 39:65)
"Indeed, it has been revealed to you and to those before you that if you associate others with Allah, your deeds will surely become worthless, and you will surely be among the losers."
Similarly, after mentioning some noble Prophets, Allah Almighty says: ﴿وَلَوْ أَشْرَکُوْا لَحَبِطَ عَنْهُمْ مَّا کَانُوْا یَعْمَلُوْنَ﴾
Reference: (Al-An'am 6:88)
"And if they had associated others with Allah, then what they were doing would have been rendered void."
Consider carefully that the Prophets and Messengers, peace be upon them, who were sent by Allah Almighty solely to command people to worship Allah alone and to forbid polytheism, if even they were to commit a sin like polytheism—which was impossible for them—their righteous deeds would also be wasted and ruined. So if any other person commits a dreadful sin like polytheism, how can their righteous deeds be beneficial for them? From this, it is understood that if a person wishes for their good deeds not to be wasted and to be useful for them—and this desire is certainly in every one of us—then they must keep themselves free from the filth of polytheism.
06. The Polytheist Will Always Remain in Hell
Polytheism is such a destructive sin that because of it, Allah Almighty forbids Paradise to the polytheist, and their abode is none other than Hell, as Allah Almighty says:
﴿اِنَّهُ مَنْ یُّشْرِكْ بِاللّٰہِ فَقَدْ حَرَّمَ اللّٰہُ عَلَیْهِ الْجَنَّةَ وَمَاْوَاہُ النَّارُ﴾
Reference: (Al-Ma'idah 7:72)
"Believe that whoever associates partners with Allah, Allah has forbidden Paradise for him, and his abode is the Hellfire."
And it is narrated from Hazrat Abdullah bin Mas'ud (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: (مَنْ مَّاتَ وَهُوَ یَدْعُوْ مِنْ دُوْنِ اللّٰہِ نِدًّا دَخَلَ النَّارَ)
Reference: (Sahih al-Bukhari, Tafsir, Chapter on the saying: (And among the people are those who take others besides Allah as equals): 4497)
"Whoever dies in a state in which he calls upon others besides Allah will enter the Hellfire."
From this Quranic verse and Prophetic hadith, it is established that a polytheist will remain in Hell forever because whoever, despite benefiting from countless and innumerable blessings of Allah, does not dedicate his worship exclusively to Allah and leaves His door to go to the doors of others, will certainly be deprived of Allah's mercy. Therefore, Allah will keep him perpetually in His punishment. And Allah forbid!
When it has been proven by clear evidence from the Quran and Hadith that shirk (associating partners with Allah) is the greatest injustice, the greatest sin, an unforgivable crime, something that destroys good deeds, and causes the polytheist to be eternally destined for Hell, and Allah Almighty has forbidden it and declared it unlawful, then it is obligatory upon all Muslims to perform all acts of worship solely and exclusively for Allah Almighty, not to associate any partner with Allah in any act of worship, to ask only from Allah, to consider only Allah as the fulfiller of needs, remover of difficulties, the Greatest Helper, the Giver, and the One who rectifies, and not to consider anyone else as the owner of benefit or harm.
Denial of Shirk in the Holy Quran
Allah, the Lord of Glory, has refuted polytheism and polytheists in the Holy Quran with the clearest evidence so that the people of intellect and knowledge remain safe from shirk and understand well that the Creator and Owner of the universe is One, He alone is the Manager of all affairs, the Owner of benefit and harm, the Provider of sustenance, the Fulfiller of needs, the Reliever of difficulties, and He alone is worthy of all acts of worship. Listen to some of these evidences:
01.
Allah Almighty says: ﴿ضَرَبَ لَکُمْ مَّثَلاً مِّنْ اَنْفُسِکُمْ هَلْ لَّکُمْ مِّمَّا مَلَکَتْ اَیْمَانُکُمْ مِّنْ شُرَکَآئَ فِیْ مَا رَزَقْنَاکُمْ فَاَنْتُمْ فِیْهِ سَوَاءٌ تَخَافُوْنَهُمْ کَخِیْفَتِکُمْ اَنْفُسَکُمْ کَذٰلِكَ نُفَصِّلُ الْآیَاتِ لِقَوْمٍ یَعْقِلُوْنَ﴾
Reference: (Ar-Rum 30:28)
"He presents an example from your own selves: Do any of your servants share with you in the provision We have given you so that you are equal partners therein? And do you fear them as you fear one another? Thus do We explain the signs in detail for a people who use reason."
In this verse, Allah Almighty has presented an example from people's own life situations to refute polytheism: We have given you wealth, and among that wealth are your slaves, who are human beings like you. If they become partners with you in such a way that you and they become equal in status, and you begin to fear the disposal of that wealth as you fear your free and business-partner equals, would you like this? Certainly, you would not like it. If you do not like this, then how could Allah Almighty like that His servants or any of His created trees or stones be made His partners? That is, just as you do not like the first thing and cannot tolerate the partnership of your slaves in your wealth, similarly, you should not like to make any of Allah’s creation, whether a prophet or a saint, a partner with Allah.
02.
The Divine command is: ﴿مَا اتَّخَذَ اللّٰہُ مِنْ وَّلَدٍ وَّمَا کَانَ مَعَهُ مِنْ اِلٰهٍ اِذًا لَّذَهَبَ کُلُّ اِلٰهٍ بِمَا خَلَقَ وَلَعَلاَ بَعْضُهُمْ عَلیٰ بَعْضٍ﴾
Reference: (المؤمنون23 :91)
"Allah has not taken any son, nor is there any deity with Him; otherwise, each deity would have taken away what it created, and some of them would have overpowered others."
In this noble verse, Allah Almighty has presented a very clear and explicit argument against polytheism, the summary of which is that if there were any other deity alongside Allah, then certainly each deity would have its own creations. Then each deity would take its creations and establish its own separate kingdom, and they would all attack one another, thus disrupting the order of the universe. Therefore, the fact that the entire universe operates in such a strange and astonishing manner is proof that the Creator and Owner of this universe is One alone, and He alone is the true deity; He has no partner, neither in His Lordship nor in His divinity.
03.
The Divine command is: ﴿قُلِ ادْعُوا الَّذِیْنَ زَعَمْتُمْ مِنْ دُوْنِ اللّٰہِ لَا یَمْلِکُوْنَ مِثْقَالَ ذَرَّۃٍ فِی السَّمٰوَاتِ وَلاَ فِی الْاَرْضِ وَمَا لَهُمْ فِیْهِمَا مِنْ شِرْكٍ وَّمَا لَهُ مِنْهُمْ مِنْ ظَهِیْرٍ٭ وَلاَ تَنْفَعُ الشَّفَاعَةُ عِنْدَہٗ اِلاَّ لِمَنْ اَذِنَ لَهُ﴾
Reference: (Saba 34:23-22)
"Say, 'Call upon those whom you claim besides Allah; they do not possess even an atom's weight in the heavens or the earth, nor do they have any share in them. Nor is there any helper for Allah against them, nor will intercession benefit Him except for one whom He permits.'"
Imam Ibn al-Qayyim, may Allah have mercy on him, writes while interpreting this verse:
"Just consider how this verse has closed all those doors and paths for the polytheists through which they reach shirk! The detail is that any worshipper worships his deity only because he hopes to gain some benefit from it; otherwise, if he had no hope of gaining any benefit, why would he worship it? Therefore, it is necessary for the deity to either be the owner of the causes and means through which it benefits its worshippers, or if it is not the owner, then it must be a partner of the owner. Or if it is not a partner, then it must be an assistant, helper, minister, or advisor. Or at least be of such a high rank that it can intercede with the owner. Allah Almighty has negated all these four things regarding those whom people have taken as deities: they are neither owners of even the smallest thing in the earth and the heavens, nor partners of the Owner of the heavens and the earth, nor helpers or assistants of the Owner of the dominion, nor do they have the authority to intercede except with Allah’s permission. Thus, Allah Almighty has closed all the paths leading to shirk so that His servants turn only towards Him."
Reference: (Mukhtasar al-Sawa'iq al-Mursalah: 94)
Therefore, this verse provides clear evidence that those who are called upon besides Allah, whether they are a prophet or a saint, a stone or a tree, do not possess even the smallest particle of authority in the universe. Neither are they partners or ministers or advisors to Allah, the Lord of Glory, nor do they have the power to intercede. Hence, it is absolutely incorrect to hope for any benefit from them or to fear any harm from them, because the Creator and Owner of the entire universe is only Allah, and all kinds of benefit and harm are in His hands.
04.
The Divine command is: ﴿یَا أَیُّهَا النَّاسُ ضُرِبَ مَثَلٌ فَاسْتَمِعُوا لَهُ إِنَّ الَّذِیْنَ تَدْعُونَ مِن دُونِ اللّٰہِ لَن یَّخْلُقُوا ذُبَابًا وَّلَوِ اجْتَمَعُوا لَهُ وَإِن یَّسْلُبْهُمُ الذُّبَابُ شَیْْئًا لَّا یَسْتَنقِذُوہُ مِنْهُ ضَعُفَ الطَّالِبُ وَالْمَطْلُوبُ﴾
Reference: (Al-Hajj 22:73)
"O people! An example is being presented, so listen attentively. Those whom you call upon besides Allah cannot even create a fly, even if they all gather together. And if the fly takes something from them, they cannot reclaim it from it. Weak indeed is the seeker and the one sought."
This verse describes the helplessness of all false deities, stating that none of them, even all together, can create a single fly, which is one of Allah's most insignificant creatures. Far from creating, they are so powerless that if a fly snatches something from them and flies away, they cannot even retrieve it from the fly. So both the seekers and these false deities are helpless and powerless. Therefore, when these false deities are in such a state of helplessness, what wisdom is there in considering them as grantors of needs or relievers of difficulties, asking them, calling upon them, and spreading one's hands before them?
01. The love and respect for Allah decreases in the heart of a polytheist
Yes indeed! Due to shirk (polytheism) in the heart of a polytheist, the love and respect for their spiritual guides and elders increases, while the respect and love for Allah Almighty decreases. Consequently, they do not feel as happy with the remembrance of Allah Almighty as they do with the mention of their spiritual guides and elders. And if someone speaks disrespectfully about Allah, the Lord of Glory, in their presence, they do not get as angry as they do when someone criticizes their spiritual guides and elders. If disobedience to Allah, the Owner of the Kingdom, is taking place in their presence and someone is committing His prohibitions, they remain completely silent; but if the instructions of their spiritual guides and elders are being violated, they immediately flare up. .... All these things are evidence that the respect and love for Allah Almighty leave the heart of the polytheist, and in its place, the respect and love for the saints of religion, spiritual guides, ascetics, and shrine custodians take over.
Allah Almighty says: ﴿وَمِنَ النَّاسِ مَن یَّتَّخِذُ مِنْ دُوْنِ اللّٰہِ اَنْدَادًا یُّحِبُّوْنَهُمْ کَحُبِّ اللّٰہِ وَالَّذِیْنَ آمَنُوْا أَشَدُّ حُبًّا لِلّٰہِ﴾
Reference: (Al-Baqarah 2:165)
"And there are some people who take others as partners with Allah and love them as they should love Allah alone. But those who believe love Allah more."
Moreover, if such people are told about the Oneness of Allah, they become furious. And if the miracles of the pious elders and spiritual guides, many of which are false, are mentioned, their hearts become delighted. Allah Almighty describes this reality as follows: ﴿وَاِذَا ذُکِرَ اللّٰہُ وَحْدَہُ اشْمَأَزَّتْ قُلُوْبُ الَّذِیْنَ لَایُوْمِنُوْنَ بِالْآخِرَۃِ وَاِذَا ذُکِرَ الَّذِیْنَ مِنْ دُوْنِهِ اِذَا هُمْ یَسْتَبْشِرُوْنَ﴾
Reference: (Az-Zumar 39:45)
"And when Allah alone is mentioned, the hearts of those who do not believe in the Hereafter become filled with aversion. But when others besides Allah are mentioned, their hearts are filled with joy."
02. Shirk leads the polytheist into the valleys of destruction and ruin
When a polytheist leaves Allah and goes to the doors of others, calling them and spreading his hands before them, he falls in the sight of Allah. Then, Allah does not care about the valley of destruction and ruin in which he has fallen. Allah Almighty has described the end of the polytheist as follows: ﴿وَمَن یُّشْرِكْ بِاللّٰہِ فَکَأَنَّمَا خَرَّ مِنَ السَّمَآئِ فَتَخْطَفُهُ الطَّیْرُ اَوْ تَھْوِیْ بِهِ الرِّیْحُ فِیْ مَکَانٍ سَحِیْقٍ﴾
Reference: (Al-Hajj 22:31)
"And whoever associates others with Allah, it is as if he has fallen from the sky. Then the birds will snatch him or the wind will blow him to a distant place."
In this noble verse, Allah Almighty has likened the polytheist to a person who falls from the sky; either birds snatch him and tear him to pieces, or the wind blows him to a faraway place. In both cases, the result is his destruction and ruin. Similarly, the end of the polytheist is nothing but destruction and ruin.
03. Shirk makes the polytheist impure
Shirk is such a filthy thing that the one who commits shirk becomes impure (unclean and defiled).
Allah Almighty has described the impurity of the polytheist as follows: ﴿یَا اَیُّهَا الَّذِیْنَ آمَنُوْا اِنَّمَا الْمُشْرِکُوْنَ نَجَسٌ﴾
Reference: (At-Tawbah 9:28)
"O you who have believed! Indeed, the polytheists are unclean."
And it is obvious that when a person does not remain steadfast on Tawheed, which is the greatest means of purity of beliefs and actions, and he begins to commit acts of polytheism, then because of them his inner self becomes filthy and impure. And Allah forbid.
04. The polytheist, in effect, doubts Allah
When a polytheist considers someone other than Allah as the fulfiller of needs, remover of difficulties, the Greatest Helper, the Giver, and the Bestower, it is as if he doubts Allah and does not regard Him as the sole Controller and the Absolute Power. Otherwise, if he only considered Allah as the sole Controller and the only fulfiller of needs, remover of difficulties, and the Greatest Helper, he would never call upon others or frequent their courts... From this, an essential consequence of polytheism is established: the polytheist essentially considers Allah to be deficient and doubts and suspects His powers. For this reason, Allah has declared this sin unforgivable and has warned of eternal punishment in Hell. Allah Almighty says: ﴿وَیُعَذِّبَ الْمُنَافِقِیْنَ وَالْمُنَافِقَاتِ وَالْمُشْرِکِیْنَ وَالْمُشْرِکَاتِ الظَّانِّیْنَ بِاللّٰہِ ظَنَّ السَّوْءِ عَلَیْهِمْ دَائِرَۃُ السَّوْءِ وَغَضِبَ اللّٰہُ عَلَیْهِمْ وَلَعَنَهُمْ وَاَعَدَّ لَهُمْ جَهَنَّمَ وَسَآءَتْ مَصِیْرًا﴾
Reference: (Al-Fath 48:6)
"And that He may punish the hypocrite men and hypocrite women, and the polytheist men and polytheist women, who have evil thoughts about Allah. Upon them is a misfortune of evil nature; and Allah has become angry with them and has cursed them and prepared for them Hell, and evil is it as a destination."
Remember! Islam has closed all the doors that can lead to shirk. And all matters that can become a step towards shirk have been prohibited by Allah Almighty and His Messenger ﷺ so that the Ummah remains safe from shirk and the servants of Allah remain steadfast on the oneness of Allah. Some means of shirk that have been prevented are:
01. It is forbidden to exaggerate in praising the Messenger of Allah ﷺ
The Prophetic guidance is: (لَا تُطْرُوْنِیْ کَمَا أَطْرَتِ النَّصَارَي ابْنَ مَرْیَمَ، فَإِنَّمَا أنَا عَبْدٌ، فَقُوْلُوْا:عَبْدُ اللّٰہِ وَرَسُوْلُهُ)
Reference: (Sahih al-Bukhari, Ahadith al-Anbiya, Chapter on the saying of Allah Almighty: وَاذْكُرْ فِی الْکِتَابِ مَرْیَمَ:3445)
"Do not exaggerate in my praise as the Christians exaggerated in the praise of the son of Mary (Jesus, peace be upon him). Indeed, I am a servant, so say, 'The servant of Allah and His Messenger.'"
Just think, when it is forbidden to exaggerate in the praise of Sayyid al-Anbiya, Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, then how can it be correct to exaggerate in the praise of any other person who is lesser than him, to mix up the earth and sky in their praise, and to narrate false miracles or even superstitions about them? Remember that exaggeration in praise is the first step towards shirk, which Islam has closed off, because exaggeration in praise causes love and reverence for someone other than Allah to develop in hearts. Then that love takes the form of blind devotion, and blind devotion makes the other than Allah a provider of needs, a solver of difficulties, and a great spiritual master.
02. Strengthening graves and making them places of prostration is forbidden
Strengthening graves, sitting on them, and making them places of prostration is a very big gateway to shirk, and Islam has also closed it and prohibited these actions.
Hazrat Jabir رضي الله عنه says: (نَھٰی رَسُوْلُ ﷲِ صلي الله عليه وسلم أَنْ یُّجَصَّصَ الْقَبْرُ، وَأَنْ یُّقْعَدَ عَلَیْهِ، وَأَنْ یُّبْنٰی عَلَیْهِ)
Reference: (Sahih Muslim, Al-Jana'iz:970)
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ forbade making the grave solid, sitting on it, and building on it.
And it is narrated from Hazrat Aisha رضي الله عنها and Hazrat Abdullah bin Abbas رضي الله عنه that when the Messenger of Allah ﷺ was afflicted with the illness of death, during that time he ﷺ said several times:
(لَعْنَةُ اللّٰہِ عَلیَ الْیَهُوْدِ وَالنَّصَارٰی، اِتَّخَذُوْا قُبُوْرَ أَنْبِیَائِهِمْ مَسَاجِدَ)
Reference: (Sahih al-Bukhari, As-Salah, Chapter: Haddathana Abu al-Yaman. 435)
"May Allah's curse be upon the Jews and Christians who have made the graves of their prophets places of prostration."
O good people, think a little! When the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ cursed the Jews and Christians for making the graves of the Prophets, peace be upon them, places of prostration, will the mercy of Allah come by making the grave of any other person lesser than the Prophets, a mosque or shrine? Those people who make the graves of saints, faqirs, or even qawwals places of prostration and shrines, will they escape this warning? Therefore, it should be firmly understood that Islam has eradicated the practice of building mosques and shrines over graves so that this door leading to polytheism is also closed.
03. It is forbidden to pray facing the graves
The noble saying of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ is: (لَا تُصَلُّوْا إِلَی الْقُبُوْرِ وَلَا تَجْلِسُوْا عَلَیْهَا)
Reference: (Sahih Muslim, Al-Jana'iz, 972)
"Do not pray facing the graves, nor sit on them."
In this hadith, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ has closed another path to shirk, which is to face the graves while praying or to sit on them. As nowadays, people go to the shrines of saints and elders and pray facing their graves. Similarly, many people sit on graves to engage in spiritual retreats and meditation. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ has also prohibited this.
04. The order to level high graves to the ground and to demolish the buildings constructed on them
Hazrat Ali رضي الله عنه narrates that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ sent me with the command to erase every idol and statue and to level every high grave to the ground.
Reference: (Sahih Muslim, Al-Jana'iz: 969)
Therefore, there is no justification in Islam for keeping idols and statues, nor is there any concept in Islam of raising graves or building structures and shrines over them. On the contrary, Islam has discouraged and eradicated all such things to close the doors of polytheism.
05. It is forbidden to travel for the purpose of visiting graves and shrines
It is forbidden to specifically go to mosques built on graves to offer prayers and supplications, and to travel to shrines with the intention of gaining reward. As nowadays many people travel from far away to shrines and dargahs. They slaughter goats there, cook large pots of food, stand near the graves of saints and make supplications, and face their graves while praying with the intention of seeking nearness. Therefore, traveling to shrines with the explicit intention of worship, reward, and nearness is absolutely forbidden in Islam.
As the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, said: (لَا تُشَدُّ الرِّحَالُ إِلَّا إِلٰی ثَلَاثَةِ مَسَاجِدَ: اَلْمَسْجِدِ الْحَرَامِ، وَمَسْجِدِیْ هذَا، وَالْمَسْجِدِ الْأقْصٰی)
Reference: (Sahih al-Bukhari, Virtue of Prayer in the Mosques of Mecca and Medina:1189, Muslim: Hajj:511)
"Travel for the sake of reward can only be made towards three mosques: one is Masjid al-Haram, the second is the Prophet's Mosque, and the third is Masjid al-Aqsa."
From this hadith, it is established that travel with the intention of reward cannot be made towards any place other than these three mosques.
In summary, every door that can lead to shirk (polytheism) has been closed by Islam. And every act from which the scent of shirk may arise has been declared forbidden by the Shariah.
We pray to Allah Almighty to protect us all from shirk and to keep us steadfast on His Oneness until our last breath. Ameen.
Dear audience! In the first sermon, we have explained in detail the meaning of shirk, shirk as a heinous crime, the denial of shirk in the Holy Quran, the harms of shirk, and the Islamic commandments to prevent shirk. Now, let us also learn about the types and kinds of shirk so that this topic becomes completely clear and no ambiguity remains.
There are two types of shirk
➊ Major Shirk (Shirk Akbar)
➋ Minor Shirk (Shirk Asghar)
Then each of these has several types, the details of which are as follows:
Types of Major Shirk (Shirk Akbar)
Just as there are three types of Tawheed, similarly, there are three types of Major Shirk:
➊ Shirk in Lordship:
Meaning associating partners with Allah in His lordship. For example, considering someone other than Allah as the Creator and Owner, the Manager of affairs, the Giver of honor and disgrace, and the Owner of benefit and harm. Or outright denying Allah’s lordship, as Pharaoh did when he denied Allah’s lordship and called himself a lord. Or associating partners in Allah’s lordship, as the Christians claimed that there are three Lords. Or holding the belief regarding saints and pious people that after death they have the authority to control the universe, fulfill needs, and remove difficulties… All these cases fall under shirk in lordship.
➋ Shirk in the Oneness of the Names and Attributes:
This means associating partners in the oneness of Allah’s names and attributes. For example, outright denial of Allah’s names and attributes, as the Jahmiyyah and Qaramitah did. Or attributing Allah’s attributes to creatures, such as many people accepting knowledge of the unseen, which is solely an attribute of Allah, for others as well, and some people even claim knowledge of the unseen themselves. Or ascribing some attributes of creatures to Allah, such as the Jews saying that Allah is poor and His hands are tied, and the Christians claiming that Prophet Jesus (peace be upon him) is the son of Allah. Or likening Allah to His creation… All these cases are forms of shirk in the oneness of the names and attributes.
➌ Shirk in Divinity:
Meaning associating partners with Allah Almighty in worship. For example, asking from others besides Allah, calling upon others besides Allah for help, fearing others besides Allah, relying on others besides Allah, and sacrificing animals for others besides Allah… etc. And since shirk in divinity is common in this era, it is necessary to explain it in some detail and clarify its various forms.
01. Praying to others besides Allah, raising hands before others besides Allah, and calling upon others besides Allah for help is major shirk
Because the Owner of profit and loss, the One who has control over fulfilling needs, and the One who removes difficulties is only and only Allah Almighty. Allah Almighty says: ﴿وَلاَ تَدْعُ مِن دُونِ اللّٰہِ مَا لَا یَنفَعُكَ وَلَا یَضُرُّكَ فَإِن فَعَلْتَ فَإِنَّكَ إِذاً مِّنَ الظَّالِمِیْنَ٭ وَإِن یَّمْسَسْكَ اللّٰہُ بِضُرٍّ فَلَا کَاشِفَ لَهُ إِلَّا هُوَ وَإِن یُّرِدْکَ بِخَیْْرٍ فَلَا رَآدَّ لِفَضْلِهِ یُصِیْبُ بِهِ مَن یَّشَاءُ مِنْ عِبَادِہِ وَهُوَ الْغَفُورُ الرَّحِیْمُ﴾
Reference: (Yunus 10:106-107)
"And do not call upon any other than Allah, who neither benefits you nor harms you. If you do so, then you will be among the wrongdoers. And if Allah should cause you harm, there is no remover of it except Him. And if He intends for you good, then there is no repeller of His bounty. He causes it to reach whom He wills of His servants. And He is the Forgiving, the Merciful."
Consider carefully that Allah Almighty has addressed His beloved Prophet Muhammad ﷺ and said that if you call upon anyone other than Allah, you will be among the wrongdoers! From this, it is understood that when the Master of the Messengers, Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, can be among the wrongdoers for calling upon others besides Allah (even though it is impossible for him to be so), then if any other person lesser than him calls upon others besides Allah, will he not be among the wrongdoers!
Similarly, Allah Almighty's command is: ﴿مَا یَفْتَحِ اللَّہُ لِلنَّاسِ مِن رَّحْمَةٍ فَلاَ مُمْسِكَ لَهَا وَمَا یُمْسِكْ فَلَا مُرْسِلَ لَهُ مِن بَعْدِہِ وَهُوَ الْعَزِیْزُ الْحَکِیْمُ﴾
Reference: (Fatir 35:4)
"Whomever Allah lets go astray, there is no one to guide him; and whomever He guides, there is no one to misguide him. And He is the All-Mighty, the All-Wise."
From this noble verse, the reality of the saying
"No one can free Muhammad from God's grasp"
has also been revealed to be merely a lie because Allah Almighty has clearly stated that whoever He seizes, no one can free.
And when Allah Almighty has commanded in the Holy Quran to ask only from Him, and He has promised to give to the one who asks and to accept his supplication, then what is the meaning of extending hands before others besides Allah and calling them for help? And regarding those saints and righteous people whom people call upon, Allah Almighty has said that they do not hear the calls and supplications of those who call and ask from them at all. And even if, by assumption, Allah makes them hear the call, they cannot respond to it.
Allah Almighty says: ﴿وَالَّذِیْنَ تَدْعُوْنَ مِنْ دُوْنِهِ مَا یَمْلِکُوْنَ مِنْ قِطْمِیْرٍ ٭ اِنْ تَدْعُوْهُمْ لَا یَسْمَعُوْا دُعَآءَ کُمْ وَلَوْسَمِعُوْا مَااسْتَجَابُوْا لَکُمْ وَیَوْمَ الْقِیَامَةِ یَکْفُرُوْنَ بِشِرْکِکُمْ﴾
Reference: (Fatir 35:14-13)
"And those whom you call besides Him possess not even the shell of a date seed. If you call them, they do not hear your call. And if they did hear, they would not respond to you. And on the Day of Resurrection, they will deny your association (shirk) completely."
So what benefit can one gain by calling upon, prostrating before, and presenting their needs to a pir, faqir, wali, or elder who does not even own something as insignificant as the husk of a date seed? And if a non-Allah does not listen to anyone’s call at all and is not capable of responding to pleas, then what can be gained by calling upon them for help except Allah’s wrath and His curse?
In the Holy Quran, Allah Almighty has declared the person who calls upon anyone other than Allah as the greatest misguided one. Allah’s command is: ﴿وَمَنْ أَضَلُّ مِمَّنْ یَّدْعُوْ مِنْ دُوْنِ اللّٰہِ مَنْ لَّا یَسْتَجِیْبُ لَهُ اِلٰی یَوْمِ الْقِیَامَةِ وَهُمْ عَنْ دُعَائِهِمْ غَافِلُوْنَ﴾
Reference: (Al-Ahqaf 46:5)
"And who is more astray than one who calls upon those who will not respond to him until the Day of Resurrection, and they are unaware of his calls and pleas."
02. The Second Form of Shirk in Divinity
To love anything other than Allah in the way that one should love only Allah. That is, a love that results in the lover expressing servitude, reverence, and utmost obedience to the beloved, giving it precedence over everything in the world. Such love can only be for Allah Almighty; if such love is directed towards anything other than Allah, it is major shirk (polytheism). As in this era, many people love and revere their spiritual guides as if they are their qibla (direction of prayer) and refuge!
Allah Almighty says: ﴿وَمِنَ النَّاسِ مَن یَّتَّخِذُ مِنْ دُوْنِ اللّٰہِ اَنْدَادًا یُّحِبُّوْنَهُمْ کَحُبِّ اللّٰہِ وَالَّذِیْنَ آمَنُوْا اَشَدُّ حُبًّا لِّلّٰہِ﴾
Reference: (Al-Baqarah 2:165)
"And there are some people who take others besides Allah as equals [to Him], loving them as they should love Allah. But those who believe are stronger in love for Allah."
03. Another form of major shirk
To fear anyone other than Allah who can cause harm by their will and power is wrong. Such fear should only be of Allah because He alone is the One who can cause harm by His will. If He does not intend to cause harm, then no elder, saint, or spiritual leader in the world can harm anyone. Therefore, fearing anyone other than Allah is major shirk (associating partners with Allah). Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him) said: ﴿وَلَا اَخَافُ مَا تُشْرِکُوْنَ بِه اِلَّا اَنْ یَّشَاءَ رَبِّیْ شَیْئًا وَسِعَ رَبِّیْ کُلَّ شَیْیئٍ عِلْمًا أفلَاَ تَتَذَکَّرُوْنَ ٭ وَکَیْفَ أخَافُ مَا اَشْرَکْتُمْ وَلاَ تَخَافُوْنَ أنَّکُمْ اَشْرَکْتُمْ بِاللّٰہِ مَا لَمْ یُنَزِّلْ بِه عَلَیْکُمْ سُلْطَانًا﴾
Reference: (Al-An'am 6:80-81)
"And I do not fear those whom you associate with Allah, except that my Lord should will something. My Lord encompasses all things in knowledge. Do you not then take admonition? And how should I fear those whom you associate as partners with Allah, while you do not fear that you have associated with Allah that for which He has sent down no authority?"
From this verse, it is understood that one should not be afraid of any spiritual leader, ascetic, or elder. One must have firm belief that no one can cause any harm without the will of Allah Almighty. Allah Almighty says: ﴿قُلْ لَنْ یُّصِیْبَنَا اِلَّا مَا کَتَبَ اللّٰہُ لَنَا هُوَ مَوْلَانَا وَعَلَی اللّٰہِ فَلْیَتَوَکَّلِ الْمُؤْمِنُوْنَ﴾
Reference: (At-Tawbah 9:51)
"Say, 'Never will we be struck except by what Allah has decreed for us; He is our protector.' And upon Allah let the believers rely."
Whereas the honorable saying of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ is: (وَاعْلَمْ أَنَّ الْأمَّةَ لَوِ اجْتَمَعَتْ عَلٰی أَنْ یَّنْفَعُوْكَ بِشَیْئٍی، لَمْ یَنْفَعُوْكَ إِلَّا بِشَیْئٍی قَدْ کَتَبَهُ اللّٰہُ لَكَ، وَلَوِ اجْتَمَعُوْا عَلٰی أَنْ یَّضُرُّوْكَ بِشَیْئٍی لَمْ یَضُرُّوْكَ إِلَّا بِشَیْئٍی قَدْ کَتَبَهُ اللّٰہُ عَلَیْكَ)
Reference: (Sunan At-Tirmidhi: 2516. Sahih Al-Jami' Al-Albani: 7957)
"And believe that if the entire Ummah were to gather to benefit you, they would not be able to benefit you except with what Allah has already written for you. And if the entire Ummah were to gather to harm you, they would not be able to harm you except with what Allah has already written against you."
04. Another form of Major Shirk
Relying on anyone other than Allah in matters that are solely under Allah's control. For example, trusting in spiritual leaders, ascetics, and saints that they alone will provide us sustenance, run our businesses, protect us from all evil, and grant us victory over our enemies. In short, relying on anyone other than Allah in all matters that only Allah has control over is a form of major shirk, which, regrettably, is present in this era.
Allah Almighty has commanded the believers in many places in the Holy Quran to rely solely on Allah.
The Divine command is: ﴿وَعَلَی اللّٰہِ فَتَوَکَّلُوْا إِنْ کُنْتُمْ مُّؤْمِنِیْنَ﴾
Reference: (Al-Ma'idah 5:23)
"If you are believers, then put your trust only in Allah."
And while mentioning the qualities of the believers, Allah Almighty has said: ﴿إِنَّمَا الْمُؤْمِنُوْنَ الَّذِیْنَ إذَا ذُکِرَ اللّٰہُ وَجِلَتْ قُلُوْبُهُمْ وَإِذَا تُلِیَتْ عَلَیْهِمْ آیَاتُهُ زَادَتْهُمْ إِیْمَانًا وَعَلٰی رَبِّهِمْ یَتَوَکَّلُوْنَ﴾
Reference: (Al-Anfal 8:2)
"So the believers are those who, when Allah is mentioned, their hearts fear, and when His verses are recited to them, it increases their faith, and they put their trust in their Lord alone."
And He said: ﴿وَمَنْ یَّتَوَکَّلْ عَلَی اللّٰہِ فَهُوَ حَسْبُهُ إِنَّ اللّٰہَ بَالِغُ أَمْرِہٖ﴾
Reference: (At-Talaq 65:3)
"And whoever puts their trust in Allah, He will be sufficient for them. Indeed, Allah will accomplish His purpose."
Minor Shirk
Minor shirk refers to every means that leads to major shirk. And the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, warned his Ummah even against this. His noble saying is: (إِنَّ أَخْوَفَ مَا أخَافُ عَلَیْکُمْ اَلشِّرْكُ الْأصْغَرُ) meaning "I fear for you the most from minor shirk."
The Companions, may Allah be pleased with them, asked what minor shirk is?
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: (اَلرِّیَاءُ، یَقُوْلُ اللّٰہُ عَزَّوَجَلَّ لِأصْحَابِ ذَلِكَ یَوْمَ الْقِیَامَةِ إِذَا جَازَی النَّاسَ: اِذْهَبُوْا إِلَی الَّذِیْنَ کُنْتُمْ تُرَاؤُوْنَ فِیْ الدُّنْیَا، فَانْظُرُوْا هَلْ تَجِدُوْنَ عِنْدَهُمْ جَزَاءً؟)
Reference: (Al-Sahihah by Al-Albani: 951)
"Minor shirk refers to showing off (riya). On the Day of Judgment, when Allah will reward people for their deeds, He will say to those who showed off: Go to those for whom you showed off, and see if they give you any reward."
There are several forms of minor shirk
➊ Swearing by other than Allah:
It is narrated from Hazrat Ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: (مَنْ حَلَفَ بِغَیْرِاللّٰہِ فَقَدْ أَشْرَكَ)
Reference: (Sunan Abi Dawood: 3251, Sunan al-Tirmidhi: 1535, Sahih al-Jami' by Al-Albani: 6204)
"Whoever swears by other than Allah has committed shirk."
➋ To say that whatever Allah wills and whatever you want will happen. That is, to associate someone with Allah's will and His intentions.
It is narrated from Hazrat Ibn Abbas رضي الله عنهما that the Messenger of Allah صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم said: (إِذَا حَلَفَ أَحَدُکُمْ فَلاَ یَقُلْ: مَا شَاءَ اللّٰہُ وَشِئْتَ، وَلٰکِنْ لِیَقُلْ: مَا شَاءَ اللّٰہُ ثُمَّ شِئْتَ)
Reference: (Sahih al-Jami' by Al-Albani: 495)
"When a person swears, he should not say 'Whatever Allah has willed and whatever you have willed,' but rather he should say 'Whatever Allah has willed, and then whatever you have willed.'"
➌ Believing in bad omens and fortune-telling:
Believing in bad omens means that a person has firmly decided to do something, but after seeing or hearing something, he refrains from doing it. In the time of ignorance, when a person wanted to leave the house for some task, he would release a bird and observe its flight; if it flew to the right, he would proceed, but if it flew to the left, he would take it as a bad omen and return. Shariah has prohibited such belief in bad omens, and in fact, taking bad omens and fortune-telling is considered shirk (associating partners with Allah). Because a person who does this is not truly relying on Allah but is relying on something that has no real status!
It is narrated from Hazrat Abdullah bin Amr (RA) that the Messenger of Allah (SAW) said: (مَنْ رَدَّتْهُ الطِّیَرَۃُ عَنْ حَاجَتِه فَقَدْ أَشْرَكً)
Reference: (Sahih al-Jami' by Al-Albani: 6264)
Meaning: "Whoever is prevented from doing something because of bad omens has indeed committed shirk."
➍ Going to soothsayers and astrologers and confirming their words:
Those who claim knowledge of the unseen and predict fate through the movement of stars or the lines on the hands, going to them and confirming their words is a form of minor shirk.
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: (مَنْ أَتٰی عَرَّافًا فَسَأَلَهُ عَنْ شَیْئٍی لَمْ تُقْبَلْ لَهُ صَلَاۃُ أَرْبَعِیْنَ لَیْلَةً)
Reference: (Sahih Muslim: 2230. Sahih al-Jami' al-Albani: 5940)
"Whoever goes to a soothsayer or astrologer and asks about something, his prayers for forty nights will not be accepted."
And he said: (مَنْ أَتٰی عَرَّافًا أَوْ کَاهِنًا فَصَدَّقَهُ بِمَا یَقُوْلُ فَقَدْ کَفَرَ بِمَا أُنْزِلَ عَلٰی مُحَمَّدٍ صلي الله عليه وسلم)
Reference: (Sahih al-Jami' al-Albani: 5939)
"Whoever goes to a soothsayer (one who claims knowledge of the unseen) and then confirms his words has disbelieved in the religion revealed to Muhammad ﷺ."
➎ Wearing a bracelet, thread, or amulet:
Wearing a bracelet, thread, or hanging an amulet to protect from harm or to cure a disease is a form of minor shirk because it is a means of leading to major shirk.
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: (إِنَّ الرُّقٰی وَالتَّمَائِمَ وَالتِّوَلَةَ شِرْكٌ)
Reference: (Sahih al-Jami' al-Albani:1632)
"Indeed, (unlawful) exorcism, amulets, and performing any (unlawful) act to create love between husband and wife is shirk (associating partners with Allah)."
And Hazrat Imran bin Husain رضي الله عنهما reported that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ saw a man wearing a bracelet and asked him: What is this? He said: I am wearing it because of an illness.
The Prophet ﷺ said: (مَا تَزِیْدُكَ إِلَّا وَهْنًا، اِنْبِذْهَا عَنْكَ، فَإِنَّكَ إِنْ تَمُتْ وَهِیَ عَلَیْكَ وُکِلْتَ إِلَیْهَا)
Reference: (Sahih Ibn Hibban: 6085, Sunan Ibn Majah: 3531. Al-Busiri said: Its chain of narration is Hasan)
"This will only increase your illness, so remove it, for if death comes to you while you are wearing it, you will be handed over with it."
From these two hadiths, it is proven that performing un-Islamic exorcisms and hanging amulets to protect against the evil eye, etc., is not correct. However, it is correct to recite Quranic verses and similarly the Sunnah prayers of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ for ruqyah in the prescribed Islamic manner because Allah Almighty has placed healing in the Holy Quran. Allah Almighty says: ﴿وَنُنَزِّلُ مِنَ الْقُرْآنِ مَا هُوَ شِفَاءٌ وَّرَحْمَةٌ لِلْمُؤْمِنِیْنَ﴾
Reference: (Al-Isra 17:82)
"And this Quran which We have revealed is a healing and a mercy for the believers."
We have mentioned various forms of shirk (polytheism) with the purpose that not only should we all keep ourselves safe from all these forms, but also warn people to avoid them. And the day we meet Allah Almighty, it should be in a state where our garments are free from the stains of shirk.
In a Hadith Qudsi of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, Allah Almighty said: (یَاابْنَ آدَمَ! إِنَّكَ مَا دَعَوْتَنِیْ وَرَجَوْتَنِیْ غَفَرْتُ لَكَ عَلٰی مَا کَانَ فِیْكَ وَلَا أُبَالِیْ، یَاابْنَ آدَمَ! لَوْ بَلَغَتْ ذُنُوْبُكَ عَنَانَ السَّمَاءِ ثُمَّ اسْتَغْفَرْتَنِیْ غَفَرْتُ لَكَ وَ لَا أُبَالِیْ، بَا ابْنَ آدَمَ! إِنَّكَ لَوْ أَتَیْتَنِیْ بِقُرَابِ الْأرْضِ خَطَایَا ثُمَّ لَقِیْتَنِیْ لَاتُشْرِكُ بِیْ شَیْئًا لَأتَیْتُكَ بِقُرَابِهَا مَغْفِرَۃً)
Reference: (Sunan al-Tirmidhi: 3540. Authenticated by al-Albani)
"O son of Adam! If you keep calling upon Me alone and place all your hopes in Me, I will continue to forgive you no matter what sins you have committed, and I will not care. And if your sins reach the sky, then you ask Me for forgiveness, I will forgive you and will not care. And if you come to Me with sins equal to the earth, and your meeting with Me is in the state that you did not associate anyone with Me, then I will grant you forgiveness equal to the earth."
Supplication to Avoid Major and Minor Shirk
Along with avoiding all forms of shirk, one should also keep praying to Allah Almighty to protect us from the filth of shirk and to grant us an end upon Tawheed (monotheism).
It is narrated from Hazrat Abu Bakr Al-Siddiq (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: (اَلشِّرْكُ فِیْکُمْ أَخْفٰی مِنْ دَبِیْبِ النَّمْلِ، وَسَأَدُلُّكَ عَلیٰ شَیْئٍ إِذَا فَعَلْتَهُ أَذْهَبَ عَنْكَ صِغَارَ الشِّرْكِ وَکِبَارَہُ، تَقُوْلُ: اَللّٰهُمَّ إِنِّیْ أَعُوْذُ بِكَ أَنْ أُشْرِكَ بِكَ وَأَنَا أَعْلَمُ، وَأَسْتَغْفِرُكَ لِمَا لَاأَعْلَمُ)
Reference: (Sahih Al-Jami' Al-Albani: 3731)
"Among you, shirk will be more hidden than the movement of an ant, and I will teach you a supplication that if you keep reciting it, Allah Almighty will remove from you both minor and major shirk. You should recite this supplication: (اَللّٰهُمَّ إِنِّیْ أَعُوْذُ بِكَ أَنْ أُشْرِكَ بِكَ وَأَنَا أَعْلَمُ وَأَسْتَغْفِرُكَ لِمَا لَاأَعْلَمُ)"
We pray to Allah Almighty to protect us from shirk and to grant us steadfastness in Tawheed. Ameen
