Shirk
شركDefinition
Associating partners with Allah — the gravest of all the major sins and the only one the Quran describes as an unforgivable wrong if a person dies in that state without repentance: 'Allah does not forgive shirk being associated with Him, but He forgives less than that to whom He wills' (4:48). Al-Dhahabi begins his catalogue with shirk because everything else is ranked below it. He distinguishes the major shirk — ascribing partners, equals, or rivals to Allah — from the minor shirk of showing off (riya'), which the Prophet described as the thing he feared most for his community. Understanding the categories of shirk is the foundation of understanding all that follows in the book.
As understood in the classical tradition of Imam al-Dhahabī and the scholars of his school.
How the scholars use Shirk.
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"Therefore, whoever you humble yourself to, obey, and love besides اللّٰه, you are worshiping them. The statement that it purifies from major shirk means that shirk is of two types: major and minor. This contentment purifies one from major shirk. As for minor shirk, it is purified by the status of "You alone we worship, and You alone we ask for help" from سُورَة الفَاتِحَة."
— Ibn al-Qayyim, Volume Two
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"The captive said, "O اللّٰه, I repent to You and not to مُحَمَّد." The Messenger of اللّٰه, peace and blessings be upon him, said, "He has recognized the right of its owner." Thus, repentance is an act of worship that should be directed only to اللّٰه, similar to prostration and fasting. Another form of shirk is making vows to anyone other than اللّٰه, which is a form of shirk greater than swearing by other than اللّٰه. If swearing by other than اللّٰه is considered shirk, then how much more so is making vows to other than اللّٰه?"
— Ibn al-Qayyim, Volume One
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"In the heavens or the earth. Oh, what a judgment, Encompassing the greatest and most repulsive injustice. Chapter Following this form of shirk Is shirk in actions, words, intentions, and desires. Shirk in actions includes acts like Prostrating to anything other than Allah, Circumambulating places other than His house, Shaving the head in servitude and submission to others, Kissing stones other than the black stone, Which is His right hand on earth, Or kissing graves, touching them, and prostrating to them."
— Ibn al-Qayyim, The Disease and The Cure
Appears in
1 book in the library
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