Part 3

'By Allah, we were truly in a manifest error when we held you (false gods) as equals (in worship) with the Lord of the Alamin (mankind, jinn, and all that exists)'.13

It is obvious that they did not equate them to Allah (G) in creation, death, resurrection, kingdom and capability, but they equated them to Allah (G) in love, lordship, obedience and servility".14

There are four different types of love: Firstly, loving for the sake of Allah (G) and loving what Allah (G) and His Messenger (N) love. This is how a Muslim should be.

Ibn Al-Qayyim (W) said about this type of love:

"There are four types of love where one must differentiate between them and there were some people who have been misguided because they were unable to differentiate between them. They are:

A. Loving Allah (G) only, which is not enough for surviving Allah's punishment and winning His reward. Indeed, Al-Mushrikeen (polytheists), the worshippers of the cross, the Jews and others love Allah (G).

B. Loving what Allah (G) loves. This leads him to enter Islam and depart kufr (infidelity). The most beloved ones by Allah (G) are those with much of this type of love.

12 Soorah Al-Baqarah 2:165 13 Soorah Ash-Shu'ara' 26:97-98 14 Al-Joab Al -Kafy, page 195

C. Loving for the sake of Allah (G) and loving for Him. This is a requirement of loving what Allah (G) loves. And loving what Allah (G) loves will not be complete except loving in Him and for Him.

D. Loving with Allah (G), which is the Shirk (polytheism) of Love. Everyone who loves something with the love of Allah (G), not for the sake of Allah (G), neither for Him nor in Him, then he has associated a partner with Him. This is the love of Al-Mushrikeen (the polytheists)."

Secondly, loving lawful things, such as food, clothes or drinks. This is normal love. Thirdly, sympathetic loving, such as loving your children or wife. This is normal love. Fourthly, loving others equal or more than the love of Allah (G). This is major shirk (polytheism).

2. Shirk of Supplication (Shirk Ad-Du'aa): Allah (G) says in the Qur'aan:

"And when they embark on a ship they invoke Allah, making their Faith pure for Him only. But when He brings them safely to land, behold they give a share of their worship to others".15

"And when harm touches you upon the sea, those that you call upon vanish from you except Him (Allah Alone). But when He brings you safely to land, you turn away (from Him). And man is ever ungrateful".16

Ibn Katheer (W) says in his book of tafseer (explanation of the Qur'aan) in regards to this verse:

"Ikrimah Bin Abi Jahl fled from Allah's Messenger (N) at the time, when Makkah was conquered. He rode over the (Red) Sea to cross over to Ethiopia, but (as they proceeded) a heavy storm wind overtook their boat, and huge waves came to them from all sides, and they thought that they were encircled therein. The people of the boat said to one another, 'None can save you except Allah (G). So invoke Him

15 Soorah Al-Ankabut 29:65 16 Soorah Al-Isra'17:67

(Alone) to deliver you safely.' Ikrimah said to himself, 'By Allah (G) if none can benefit in the sea except Allah (G), then no doubt none can benefit over the land except Allah (G). O Allah (G), I promise You that if You delivered me safe from this, I will go and put my hands in the hands of Prophet Muhammad (N) , and surely I will find him full of pity, kindness and mercy.' So, they were delivered safely (by Allah) and returned to their seashore and came out of the sea. Ikrimah then proceeded to Allah's Messenger (N) and embraced Islam and became a perfect Muslim."

So, invoking others than Allah (G) is major shirk. Ad-Du'aa (supplication) is an act of worship and devoting an act of worship to other than Allah (G) is shirk (polytheism). The Messenger of Allah (N) said:

"Ad-Du'aa (supplication) is the worship".17

3. Shirk of Intentions and Will (Shirk An-Niah wa Al-Ea'radah): Allah (G) says in the Qur'aan:

"Whosoever desires the life of the world and its glitter, to them We shall pay in full (the wages of) their deeds therein, and they will have no diminution therein. They are those for whom there is nothing in the Hereafter but Fire, and vain are deeds they did therein. And of no effect is that which they used to do".18

"As for Shirk (polytheism) of Intentions and Wills, it's the sea without a shore and few are among people who survive it. Whosoever intends for his deeds to be for other than Allah (G) and intends other than worshipping Him and seeking His reward, thereby he has fallen into shirk (polytheism) in his intention and will".19

Rendering Shirk (polytheism) of Intention to be a major shirk (polytheism) is subject to one whose all of his good deeds (acts of worship) are intended for others than Allah (G). Whereas having Riyyaa (showing off) occasionally in his deeds is considered as minor shirk.

17 Reported by At-Tirmidhi and Abu Dawud 18 Soorah Hud 11:15-16 19 Al-Joab Al-Kafy, page 200

4. Shirk of Obedience (Shirk At-Ta'ah), which is obeying others in disobeying Allah (G). In other words, when someone tells you to prostrate to other than Allah (G), you obey him and disobey Allah (G), as Allah (G) forbids prostrating to others than Him. Or we could say if someone legalizes the actions made illegal by Allah (G), or forbids what Allah (G) has legalized, then that is considered Shirk (polytheism) of Obedience. Allah (G) says in the Qur'aan:

"They (Jews and Christians) took their rabbis and their monks to be their lords besides Allah (by obeying them in things which they made lawful or unlawful according to their own desires without being ordered by Allah). And (they also took as their Lord) Messiah, son of Maryam (Mary), while they (Jews and Christians) were commanded (in their books) to worship none but One Ilah (God - Allah). La ilaha illa Huwa (none has the right to be worshipped but He). Praise and glory is to Him (far above is He) from having the partners they associate (with Him)".20

Adi Bin Hatim (S) narrated:

"I heard the Prophet (N) read this verse [9:31]. So, I said to him, 'Verily, we did not worship them'. The Messenger of Allah (N) replied : 'Did they not make illegal what Allah (G) made legal so you then made it illegal? And [did they not] make legal what Allah (G) made illegal and you therefore made it legal?' I said 'Yes'. The Messenger (N) said, 'That is worshipping them'"21

B: Minor Shirk (polytheism) Minor Shirk (polytheism) consists of three types:

1. Taking oaths by others than Allah (G): It is shirk (polytheism) to swear by others than Allah (G). Abdullah bin Umar Bin Al-Khattab (S) narrated that Allah's Messenger said (N):

"Whoever swears by other than Allah (G) has disbelieved or committed shirk"22

Swearing by others than Allah (G) such as a prophet, an angel, etc is considered minor shirk (polytheism). But if the one sworn by is glorified, then it is considered a major shirk (polytheism). Ibn Mas'aud (S) said: 20 Soorah At-Taubah 9:31 21 Reported by Ahmed and At-Tirmidhi, who graded it as Hasan (fair) 22 Reported by At-Tirmidhi and Al-Hakim, who graded it as Saheeh (authentic)

"To swear by Allah (G) while lying is more loved by me than to swear by other than Him while speaking truth."

2. Saying "What Allah (G) may will and you may will": Abdullah Bin Abbas (S) narrated:

"Once a man came to the Prophet (N) and said 'With the Will of Allah (G) and [also] with your will.' The Prophet (N) then said: 'Have you made me an associate with Allah (G)? Rather it is what Allah (G) alone wills'".23

The same applies here as in swearing by others than Allah (G). If one says, "with Allah's will and someone's will" while glorifying that someone, then this is considered major shirk (polytheism); otherwise it is minor shirk.

3. Riyyaa (showing off): Riyyaa is practicing an act of worship in order to please the creation instead of the Creator. Riyyaa can be major or minor shirk (polytheism). If the person practices all of his good deeds in order to please others than Allah (G), then this is considered to be major shirk (polytheism). But if the person intends to please others than Allah (G) in some of his good deeds, then this is considered to be a minor shirk (polytheism). Allah (G) says:

"Say [O Muhammad (N)]: I am only a man. It has been inspired to me that your illah (God) is One illah. So whosoever hopes for the meeting with his Rubb (Lord), let him work righteousness and associate none as a partner in the worship of his Rubb".24

Imam Ahmed (W) reported a marfu hadith [elevated; a narration from the Prophet (N) , e.g. "I heard the Prophet (N) saying…"] from Abu Sa'id Al-Khudri (S), that the Prophet (N) said:

"Shall I not tell you what I fear for you more than the false Messiah?" The companions said, "Indeed, O Messenger of Allah (N)." He (N) said, "Inconspicuous shirk, as when a person improves his rendering of the Salat (daily five prayers) when he knows that others are watching".

23 Reported by An-Nasa'i 24 Soorah Al-Kahf 18:110

The differences between major shirk (polytheism) and minor shirk (polytheism) are:

1. Major shirk (polytheism) constitutes apostasy, while minor shirk (polytheism) does not.

2. Major shirk (polytheism) condemns the one who practices it to abide in Hell-fire, whereas minor shirk (polytheism) does not.

3. Major shirk (polytheism) nullifies all good deeds, while minor shirk (polytheism) does not.

4. Major shirk (polytheism) justifies violating blood and property (i.e. makes the taking of a person and his wealth legal to the Muslims), while minor shirk (polytheism) does not.

Whoever makes between himself and Allah (G) Intermediaries (al-Wasaa'it), Supplicating them (ad-Du'aa), Asking them for Intercession (Shafaa'a) and Relying upon them (Tawakkul) - In that case he/she has already become a Kaafir (Unbeliever). This is the Consensus (Ijmaa'a) of the Muslim communities past and present1.

Explanation: This nullifier is a part of the first one shirk (polytheism), but for the importance of this action and because many people have fallen into it, the author chose to earmark it. Many people who claim to be Muslims practice this false action. They believe that one must take mediators between them and Allah (G) to answer their calls, grant them their requests or remove hardships off them. They claim that one must have a mediator between Allah (G) and themselves, as you would have if requesting something from a king or president. Those people have disbelieved because Allah (G) has sent Books and Messengers commanding people to worship Him Alone and direct their requests and calls to Him. Allah (G) does not need anyone as a mediator to call upon Him. Allah (G) says:

"Say [O, Muhammad (N) to the pagans] call upon those whom you assert [to be associate gods] besides Allah; they possess not even an atom's weight either in the

1 Allah, the Most High, says:

"Surely the religion (worship and obedience) is for Allah (Alone). And those who take Auliyaa' (protectors, helpers, lords, gods) besides Him (say): 'We only worship them that they may bring us nearer to Allah.' Indeed, Allah will judge between them concerning that wherein they differ. Verily, Allah does not guide one who is a Kaadhib (liar) Kaffaar (disbeliever)." [Soorah Az-Zumar 39:3]

heavens or on the earth, nor have they any share in either, nor there is for Him any supporter from among them. Intercession with Him profits not except for him whom He permits".2

"And invoke not besides Allah any such that will neither profit you nor hurt you, but if [in case] you did so, you shall certainly be one of the Thalimeen [polytheists and wrong-doers]. And if Allah touches you with hurt, there is none whom can remove it but He, and if He intends any good for you, there is none who can repel His Favor which He causes it to reach whomsoever of His slaves He wills. And He is the Oft-Forgiving, the Most Merciful".3