In Islam, shirk is the biggest sin a Muslim can commit. It places one outside the pale of Islam, and one no longer remains a Muslim. Taken from the Arabic language, Shirk (شرك) means regarding someone as the partner of another. But when this word is taken in the context of shariah, it refers to associating partners with Allah in worship or in His names and attributes. It is the gravest sin, as Allah does not forgive it without repentance. The Quran states:
Lo! Allah forgiveth not that a partner should be ascribed unto Him. He forgiveth (all) save that to whom He will. Whoso ascribeth partners to Allah, he hath indeed invented a tremendous sin.
The Quranic Definition of Shirk
And (remember) when Luqman said unto his son, when he was exhorting him, “O my dear son!” Ascribe no partners unto Allah. Lo! To ascribe partners (unto Him) is a tremendous wrong.
This verse mentions shirk as “a tremendous wrong.” Other translations of this verse also have the same theme and define shirk as “the worst of all wrongs” or as “great injustice.” But why is associating a partner with Allah such a grave sin? Because it contradicts the most fundamental principle of Islam, tawheed. Tawheed is the oneness of Allah, the core of Islam. It is the belief that Allah is the only One, without any partners or equals.
Types of Shirk
Major Shirk (Shirk al-Akbar)
Major shirk refers to associating partners with Allah in worship or lordship. This act puts a person beyond the pale of Islam. An example of this can be praying to saints and believing that anyone other than Allah shares His divine powers. Or prostrating to someone or something other than Allah. This kind of shirk puts a person beyond the pale of Islam, and they have to re-enter the religion.
Minor Shirk (Shirk al-Asghar)
Minor shirk is characterized by actions that resemble shirk but don’t expel a person from Islam. An example of this is showing off in worship (riya’). If a person is praying and they lengthen their prayer just so people will admire it, this is considered minor shirk. It is not limited to showing off in worship, as the Prophet PBUH states:
“The thing I fear most for you is the lesser form of shirk—showing off your good deeds.”
Hidden Shirk
Hidden shirk is when the heart depends on others besides Allah for outcomes. This is a subtle form of reliance on other things other than the Lord. This can include believing that charms may ward off evil or certain practices may bring benefit when Allah has not made it so.
Examples of Shirk in Modern Times
Today, there are various practices common in the Muslim society that have no basis in the religion. And many people follow these practices, unaware that they constitute shirk. One of the most common examples is swearing by someone other than Allah. It is stated in a hadith:
Narrated Sa’d bin ‘Ubaidah: Ibn ‘Umar once heard a man say, “No, by the Ka‘bah!” So Ibn ‘Umar said, “One should not swear by anything other than Allah, for I heard the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) say, ‘Whoever swears by other than Allah has committed disbelief or shirk.’”
Not only this, but other practices such as believing in objects or charms for their protective power, or trusting intermediaries for forgiveness, are also forms of shirk.
Difference Between Shirk and Kufr
While some may think shirk and kufr are similar in some cases, there is a pretty significant difference that sets them apart. Shirk is described as associating partners with Allah in worship or in His attributes. On the other hand, kufr is defined as the disbelief in Allah or the rejection of His guidance. In short, one can say that all shirk is kufr, but not all kufr is shirk, because there are minor kinds of kufr that don’t expel a person from Islam but are still considered to be sinful.
How to Avoid Shirk
There are several ways to avoid shirk and ensure they are mindful of their actions.
- Studying tawheed regularly to gain knowledge about the true nature of worship and the practices associated with it.
- Making dua for sincerity (Ikhlas) in actions and keeping away from environments that are a danger to that sincerity.
- Avoiding innovations (bid’ah) and gaining knowledge about the practices allowed within Islam to protect oneself from any kind of misunderstanding and misguidance.
- Remembering Allah in all acts of worship, no matter how small.
Consequences and Repentance
The most significant consequence of shirk is staying in hellfire for eternity if one doesn’t repent before they die. This punishment is mentioned in several Quranic verses. But along with it, the limitless mercy of the Lord and his oft-forgiving nature are highlighted as well. If one repents sincerely before their soul is taken, Allah will forgive them because he forgives all sins.
“Say: O My slaves who have been prodigal to their own hurt! Despair not of the mercy of Allah, Who forgiveth all sins. Lo! He is the Forgiving, the Merciful.”
Conclusion
To sum it up, shirk is the gravest sin a Muslim can commit because no matter what, Allah is the only one worthy of all worship. He is the only lord of everything and everyone in this universe. Attributing partners or equals to him expels one from Islam and can have detrimental effects on both a person’s worldly life and the hereafter.
Educating oneself about shirk and its types is the first step to safeguarding one’s faith against sin, whether it is associating partners with Allah or engaging in practices that promote this belief. However, if a person still has doubts after reading the basic information about shirk, they should consult a scholar to avoid any confusion regarding matters of faith.
How can a Muslim who worship Allah Azawazal the one and only creator commit shirk?? A Muslim can never commit shirk no Matter what sect he is. This idea of shirk in Islam is wahabbiism. May Allah Almighy guide you all!!!
There are alot of Muslims who commit shirk. Like doing sajda to dead person is a simple least example.
Allah swt as well as the Prophet Muhammad (saw) have mentioned explicitly acts which constitute as shirk. Have you read the Quran completely and the Hadiths on shirk?
Is it fine to listen to astrologers their prefictions on what’s in new year or countries political personalities future
Iam still waiting for the answer to the question posted on Feb 28 about Astrology
Us Muslims listening to the astrologers and believing what they are saying, is completely prohibited, cause Allah knows best!
Awesome and interesting article. Great things you’ve always shared with us. Thank you. Just continue composing this kind of post.