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Good and bad Fortune

The life of this world is a test from Allah, Allah says: "(Allah is) Who has created death and life, that He may test which of you is best in deed."[Soorah al-Mulk (67): 2]

He, the Most High, in His Great Wisdom has also created fluctuations, which are a part of the test, in order to test our patience and perseverance. Allah says: "We shall make a trial for you with evil and with good, and to Us you will be ﷺeturned." [Soorah al-Ambiyah (21): 34-35]

The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: "Afflictions continue to befall believing men and women in their body, family and property, until they meet Allah burdened with no sins." [(Saheeh) by Shaikh al-Albanee in Sahihah (2280) at-Tirmidhee]

Allah's Messenger ﷺ said: "Those who are most afflicted among the people are the Prophets, then the best, then the (next) best. One is afflicted in accordance with (the strength of) his Deen. If his Deen is firm, his affliction is hard, and if his Deen is weak, his affliction is light. Indeed, one would be so much subjected to adversity until he walks among the people with any sins." [(Saheeh) by Shaikh al-Albanee in Saheeh al-Jamee (993) Musnad Ahmad and at-Tirmidhee]

Therefore, afflictions and testing are required for a believer to achieve victory, honor and, well being.

The Qur'aan explains that the complete wisdom behind these occurrences is beyond our understanding, since our knowledge is limited to the apparent occurrences. Therefore, as Allah says in the Qur'aan: "Perhaps you may dislike something which is really good for you or like something (which is actuallly) bad for you, but Allah knows (what is best for you) and you do not." [Soorah al-Baqarah (2): 216]

Thus, what we know as good fortune and bad fortune are mere events predestined by Allah as a test for the human. They take place only by the Permission of Allah and He alone has the Power to avert their harm. It is the duty of a Muslim to have complete Tawakkul (reliance) on Allah and seek His aid in times of afflictions and trial.

The Messenger of Allah ﷺ elaborated on this issue in his advise to Ibn Abbas رضي الله عنه, he said: "O young man! I will teach you a few words: "I'hfath (remember or observe the commands of) Allah and He will Ya'hfath (direct His care and aid at) you. I'hfath Allah and you will find Him with you (by His aid, knowledge and protection). When you invoke, invoke Allah alone, and when you ask for help, ask Allah alone. And know that if the nation (meaning mankind and the Jinn) came together to bring you benefit, they can never bring you any benefit except that which Allah has written for you. And if they came together to harm you, they will never be able to harm you, except what Allah has written for you. The pens have already been raised (and stopped writing) and the pages have dried." [Musnad Ahmad and at-Tirmidhee]

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The belief associated with Charms and Amulets that they attract good fortune and avert evil is contradictory to the Islamic belief that Allah Alone has the Power to benefit and harm, and it is He alone Who can bring good and avert evil

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Charms and Amulets contradict Tawheed

Tawheed (belief in the Oneness of Allah) is the core of Islam. One of the fundamental beliefs of Tawheed is that Allah alone has the Power to benefit and harm, it is He alone Who can bring good and avert evil. Any notion, belief or saying, which contradicts this belief, leads to the unforgivable sin of Shirk (associating partners with Allah). Allah says: "Verily, Allah will not forgive Shirk, but He forgives anything besides it to whomsoever He wishes."[Soorah an-Nisa (4): 48]

The belief associated with good luck charms that they attract good fortune and avert evil is thus committing Shirk. It was the practice of the Arabs at the time of Allah's Messenger ﷺ to wear lockets, bracelets, beads, shells, etc. as charms. Allah's Messenger ﷺ is reported to have rejected all such practices.

Uqbah رضي الله عنه reported: "Once a group of men approached the Messenger of Allah ﷺ to give their oaths of allegiance. The Prophet ﷺ accepted the oath from nine but refused one. When he was asked the reason, he ﷺ replied: "Verily, he is wearing an amulet (a charm)." The man put his hand in his cloak, pulled the amulet off and broke it, then made the oath. The Prophet ﷺ said: "Whoever wears an amulet has committed Shirk." [Musnad Ahmad. This Hadeeth was classed as Saheeh by Shaikh al-Albanee in al-Silsilah al-Saheehah, (492)]

When new people accepted Islam during the time of Allah's Messenger ﷺ ; they often carried with them some pagan beliefs. One of them was the belief in charms, Abu Waaqid al-Laythee reported when Allah's Messenger ﷺ set out for Hunayn (the site of a major battle), they passed by a tree called Dhat Anwaar. The idolaters used to hang their weapons on its branches for good fortune. Some of the Sahabah y who were new to Islam asked the Prophet ﷺ to assign a similar tree for the Muslims. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ reprimanded them and said: "Subhan-Allah! This is just like what Moosa's people said to him: 'O Moosa! Make for us a god like they have gods."[At-Tirmidhee, Musnad Ahmad and others.]

This Hadeeth demonstrates the grave danger of believing in charms, which are objects, like beads, bones, seashells, threads, horseshoe, nails etc. worn in the necks or hung on walls in order to avert evil and bring good fortune. Allah's Messenger ﷺ compared charms to idols and fake gods, who are worshiped instead of Allah.

This is because belief in charms represents the same belief of the idol worshipers. One who wears charm considers it (the charm) to have the Divine Power to benefit and harm. Besides, the charm is supposed to be more powerful than Allah, because they are considered to be able to avert misfortune, which Allah has already destined. Therefore, Allah's Messenger ﷺ has cursed those who use them. Uqbah Ibn Amir reported that the Prophet ﷺ once said: "May Allah cause failure and unrest to whoever wears a charm or puts it on others." [Musnad Ahmad and Haakim]

Charms as a means of idol worship:

Charms sometimes include pictures of saints and graves. Pictures are forbidden in Islam, and it should be made known that the basic reason behind the prohibition of pictures was to prevent Shirk from entering into the Aqeedah of the Muslims.

Shirk first crept into the previous nation through pictures and graves. When righteous men died, people would erect their statues and make their pictures in places of gathering. The later generations eventually venerated these pictures and statues, and worshiped them besides Allah. When the churches of Ethiopia containing pictures were mentioned to Allah's Messenger ﷺ, he said: "If any religious man dies amongst those people they would build a place of worship at his grave and make these pictures in it. They will be the worst creatures in the Sight of Allah on the Day of Resurrection." [Saheeh al-Bukharee and Saheeh Muslim]

Islam has prohibited all means, which could result in Shirk; one of them is the prohibitions is portraying pictures and hanging them. Moreover, hanging pictures of saints and graves in necks and believing them to be a means of blessings, or believing them to be able to avert evil is a clear Shirk, because this belief implies giving Divine Power to avert evil and bring good fortune, which is unique for Allah alone, to created beings.

Charms as a means of Healing Sickness:

Another popular use of charms is that it is regarded as a remedy to many diseases or protection from the evil eye. This kind of use is also prohibited, Imraan Ibn Hussain رضي الله عنه reported that when the Prophet ﷺ saw a brass bangle on a man's upper arm, he said to him, "Woe be on you. What is this?" The man replied that it was to protect him from a sickness called Waahinah (weakness). The Messenger of Allah ﷺ then said: "Cast it off, for verily, it would only increase your weakness. And if you die with it on, you will never succeed." [Musnad Ahmad and others]

Meaning Allah will not protect him, who hangs charms on his body, rather He would abandon him and assign him to the charm, which will avail him nothing. Allah's Messenger ﷺ said: "He who wears a thing shall be committed to it." [At-Tirmidhee]

A Muslim's attitude in times of sickness should be to be patient and seek help with Allah. "And (remember) Ayyub, when he called to his Lord, 'Verily, adversity has touched me, and You are the Most Merciful of the Merciful.' So, We answered his call, and removed all afflictions." [Soorah al-Ambiya (21): 83]

The Messenger of Allah ﷺ advised Ibn Abbas رضي الله عنه and said: "When you invoke, invoke Allah alone, and when you ask for help, ask Allah alone. And know that if the nation (meaning mankind and the Jinn) came together to bring you benefit, they can never bring you any benefit except that which Allah has written for you. And if they came together to harm you, they will never be able to harm you, except what Allah has written for you. The pens have already been raised (and stopped writing) and the pages have dried." [Musnad Ahmad and at-Tirmidhee]

Allah says: "Give glad tidings to the patient those who when afflicted with a calamity, say: 'Truly, to Allah we belong; truly to Him will we return.' It is those who will be awarded blessings and mercy from their Lord; and it is these who are the guided ones." [Soorah al-Baqarah (2): 155]

Therefore, he who resigns to Allah, seeks refuge in Him and commits his affairs to Him, Allah will suffice him, and make the difficulty easy for him. But he who attaches himself to the creation of Allah, like charms and amulets, Allah will abandon him to what he attaches himself to, and nothing will avail him of those things which neither harm nor benefit anyone. By using charms, the slave severs his relation with Allah and destroys his own creed.

It is a duty on the Muslim to safeguard his Aqeedah and the Aqeedah of his family members against all defects. He should not take unlawful remedies, nor approach misleading healers, because they will blemish his heart and creed. He who depends on Allah, Allah will suffice him.

The Sahabah رضي الله عنه were very strict in regards to charms and omens, whether it be within one's family or outside it. Zaynab, the wife of Abdullah Ibn Mas'oud, reports that once Ibn Mas'oud saw a cord of necklace around her neck and asked, 'What is it?' She replied: 'It is a cord in which a spell has been placed to help me.' He snatched it from her neck, broke it and said: "Surely the family of Abdullah has no need for Shirk! I have heard Allah's Messenger ﷺ say: 'Verily spells, talismans and charms are Shirk.'"

? Zaynab replied: 'Why are you saying this? My eye used to twitch and when I went to so and so, the Jew, he put a spell on it and it stopped twitching.' Ibn Mas'oud said: 'Verily, it was only a devil prodding it with his hand, so when you had it bewitched he left it. It would have been sufficient for you to say:

Transliteration: "Idh-habil-ba's Rabban-naas washfi antash-shafee Laa shifaa' illa shifaa'uk shifaa'aan laa yughaadiruhu saqama"

"Remove the suffering, O Lord of mankind and heal it perfectly as You are the True Healer. There is no cure except Your cure; a cure which is not followed by sickness." [Sunan Abu Dawood (vol: 3, no: 3874)] Classed as Saheeh by al-Albanee in al-Silsilat al-Saheehah (331 and 2972)]

A sick person can resort to permissible means of treatment like medicines, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: "Seek treatment, because Allah did not create a sickness but has created a treatment for it, except for old age." [Abu Dawood. Authenticated by Shaikh al-Albanee in Saheeh al-Jami no: 29302] In this context, magnetic belts, etc., which have been medically proven to have health benefits can be used for treatment. They do not fall under the category of charms and omens.

Casual use of Charms

Sometimes the use of charms is not due to false beliefs, but is merely an imitation of the Kuffar, which is also a very serious issue. Muslims are strictly prohibited from adopting any non-Islamic practice or imitating the non-Muslims, whether it be creed or actions. Allah's Messenger ﷺ has warned the Muslim Ummah in several Ahaadeeth on different occasions against imitation of the Kuffar, he ﷺ once said: "Whoever imitates a people, he is one of them." [(Saheeh) Musnad Ahmad (vol: 2, no: 50)]

Therefore, any resemblance to the Kuffar in any aspect must be strictly avoided. If the charm used has a religious significance to the disbelievers, like the cross of the Christians, saffron strings or black threads of the Hindus, etc. then the matter becomes even more grave.

Qur'aanic Charms

Qur'aanic charms are those objects, which have parts of the Qur'aan or some of Allah's Names and Attributes inscribed on them. These objects are worn for the purpose of healing. Scholars are at variance concerning wearing them; some believe in its permissibility, while others reject them. The second opinion is correct, due to many reasons:

(a) The general prohibition of wearing them. Ibn Mas'oud رضي الله عنه, who disapproved the practice of Qur'aanic charms said: "I heard the Messenger of Allah ﷺ say: "Charms, Amulets and Tiwalah* are all acts of Shirk." [Abu Dawood and Musnad Ahmad]

[* Tiwaalah (bewitchment) is a spell, which is used to make a man love his wife, or the other way round.]

(b) Barring access to what may lead to the unlawful.

(c) If one wears an amulet containing Qur'aanic verses, he is apt to carry it with him to washrooms, while relieving or cleaning himself or the like.

(d) The use of Qur'aan in such a manner is neither proved by the Sunnah of Allah's Messenger ﷺ, nor the practice of the Sahabah. Therefore, using the Qur'aan as a charm is categorized as a Bidah (innovation in the religion), regarding which Allah's Messenger ﷺ said: "Whoever innovates in Islam something which does not belong to it will have it rejected." [Saheeh al-Bukharee (vol: 3, no: 861)]

Furthermore, wearing Qur'aanic verses for healing contradicts the Prophetic way of curing sickness through the means of Qur'aan.

Imaam Muslimرحمة الله عليه records the following Hadeeth under the chapter, 'Curing of the Patient with the recitation of Mu'awwidhatan.' Aaishah رضي الله عنها reported that when the Messenger of Allah ﷺ fell ill, he recited over his body Mu'awwidhatan (Soorah al-Falaq and Soorah an-Nas) and blew over him and when his sickness was intensified, I used to recite over him, and rub him with his hand with the hope that it was more blessed. [Saheeh Muslim vol: 3, no: 5440]

So, the correct way is to recite Qur'aanic verses and supplications mentioned in the Sunnah and blow by mouth on the sick. This practice is known as 'Ruqya', and is proved from a number of authentic narrations. "Some Companions of the Prophet ﷺ went on a journey until they reached some of the Arab tribes (at night). The chief of that tribe was bitten by a snake (or stung by a scorpion) and nothing could cure him. One of the Sahabah recited Soorah Al-Faatihah and breathed hard over the chief, who recovered as if he was released from a chain, stood up and started walking, showing no signs of sickness.

When Allah's Messenger ﷺ was informed about the incident, he approved of it and asked: "How did you know that Soorah Al-Faatihah can be recited as a Ruqyah?" [Saheeh al-Bukharee (vol: 3, no: 476)]

This is the meaning of the verse, where Allah says: "We send down the Qur'aan that which is healing and a mercy for the believer, but it does not increase the wrongdoers except in loss." [Soorah al-Isra (17): 82]

Using Numerology on Quraanic Verses

Qur'aanic charms are not only limited to writing down Qur'aanic verses and hanging them around the necks. Many people make use of Numerology to make amulets.

Numerology is an age-old science practiced by Hinduism and other Eastern religions. Alphabets are assigned certain number, and in the same fashion words, phrases and sentences are given a certain number based upon certain calculations. The Prophet ﷺ never used numerology in relation to the Qur'aan and neither did his Companions. It is therefore an evil innovation

Innovation is an action, which..

(a) Does not have any supporting proof from the Qur'aan and the Sunnah,

(b) It is done to gain the pleasure of Allah (therefore worldly affairs are excluded).

A false argument is put forth in defense of Qur'aanic Numerology that since the time of Allah's Messenger ﷺ, the Qur'aan has been translated into different languages for the reason of spreading and preserving it. Therefore, Qur'aanic Numerology is not an innovation.

This is a false comparison because Numerology is neither a language nor does it help in preserving or spreading the teachings of the Qur'aan. The sole purpose of Numerology is to make charms and amulets, which are used as a part of the religion to avert misfortune, evil eye, etc.

There was a need at the time of Allah's Messenger ﷺ for protection from evil eye and magic and Prophet ﷺ has given us complete guidance with respect to the use the Qur'aan against them.

Allah's Messenger ﷺ did not use Numerology at his time, therefore there can be no basis for using it after his time. Lastly, numerology is a blatant imitation of the Kuffar and all of these above proofs establish that numerology is an evil action and should be shunned, even if it is widely practiced and propagated these days.

The study of Tawheed cannot be considered complete without a careful analysis of its opposite, Shirk. Some mention of Shirk has already been made in the Tawheed page and examples of it have been given to illustrate how Tawheed may be obliterated. However, in this Page Shirk will be looked at as a separate topic whose grave importance Allaah has attested to in the Qur'aan,

"Surely Allaah will not forgive the association of partners (Shirk) with Him, but He forgives (sins) less than that of whomever He wishes."(

Soorah an-Nisaa, 4:48.)

Because the sin of Shirk denies the very purpose of man's creation, it is to God the gravest of sins; the unforgivable sin.

Shirk literally means partnership, sharing or associating,2 but Islamically it refers to the act of assigning partners to Allaah in whatever form it may take. The following analysis of Shirk is according to the three broad categories developed in the study of Tawheed. Hence, we will first look at the main ways in which Shirk can occur in the area of Ruboobeeyah (Lordship), then Asmaa was-Sifaat (Divine Names and Attributes) and finally in 'Ebaadah (Worship).

SHIRK IN RUBOOBEEYAH

This category of Shirk refers to either the belief that others share Allaah's Lordship over creation as His equal or near equal, or to the belief that there exists no Lord over creation at all. Most religious systems fall into the first aspect of Shirk in Ruboobeeyah while it is the philosophers and their man-made philosophies who tend to fill the second aspect.

(A) SHIRK BY ASSOCIATION

Beliefs which fall under this sub-category are ones in which a main God or Supreme Being over creation is recognized, however His dominion is shared by other lesser gods, spirits, mortals, heavenly bodies or earthly objects. Such belief systems are commonly referred to by theologians and philosophers as either monotheistic (having one God) or polytheistic (having more than one God). According to Islaam, all of these systems are polytheistic and many represent various degrees in the degeneration of divinely revealed religious systems all of which were originally based on Tawheed.

Within Hinduism, the Supreme Being Brahman is conceived as in dwelling, all-pervading, unchangeable and eternal, the abstract impersonal Absolute, in which all things have their origin and end. While the god Brahma is the personified creator of the universe who forms a trinity with the preserver god, Vishnu and the destroyer god, Shiva.3 Thus, Shirk in Ruboobeeyah is expressed in Hinduism by the delegation of God's creative, destructive and preservative powers to other gods.

Christian belief states that the one God reveals himself in the three persons of Father, Son (Jesus Christ) and Holy Spirit. These three persons are nevertheless regarded as a unity, sharing one 'substance'.4 Prophet Jesus is elevated to divinity, sits on the right hand of God and judges the world. The Holy Spirit, who in the Hebrew Bible is the means by which God exercises his creative power, in Christian thought becomes a part of the God-head. Paul made the Holy Spirit the alter ego of Christ, the guide and help of Christians, first manifesting itself on the day of Penecost.5 Consequently, Shirk in Ruboobeeyah occurs in the Christian belief that Jesus and the Holy Spirit are God's partners in all of His dominion, in their belief that Jesus alone pronounces judgement on the world and in their belief that Christians are helped and guided by the Holy Spirit.

Zoroastrians (Parsis) conceive of God, Ahura Mazda, as being the creator of all that is good, and is alone worthy of absolute worship. Fire is one of the seven creations of Ahura Mazda and is considered his son or representative. But they also commit Shirk in Ruboobeeyah by conceiving of evil, violence and death as being the creation of another god called Angra Mainyu whom they represent by the symbol darkness.6 Hence, God's sovereignty over all creation (i.e. His Ruboobeeyah) is shared with an evil spirit elevated to the level of an opposing god due to man's desire to not attribute evil to God.

In the Yoruba religion, followed by over 10 million people in West Africa (mainly Nigeria), there is one supreme God, Olorius (Lord of Heaven) or Olodumare. Nevertheless, modern Yoruba religion is characterized by a multitude of Orisha worship, so that Yoruba religion appears as strict polytheism.7 Consequently, Yorubas commit Shirk in Ruboobeeyah by turning over all of God's functions to minor gods and spirits.

The Zulus of South Africa believe in one God, Unkulunkulu, meaning the ancient, the first, the most revered one. The principal specific titles for God are; Nkosi yaphezulu (Lord-of-the-Sky) and uMvelingqanqi (the first to appear). Their Supreme Being is represented as a male, who, along with the earth female, bring forth the human world. Thunder and Lightening are in Zulu religion acts of God, whereas sickness and other troubles in life may be caused by the ancestors, the "Idlozi" or "abaphansi" (those under the earth). The ancestors also protect the living, ask for food, are pleased with ritual and sacrifice, punish neglect and take possession of fortune tellers (inyanga).8 Thus, Shirk in Ruboobeeyah takes place in the Zulu religion not only in their concept of the creation of the human world but also their attribution of good and evil in human life to the work of ancestral spirits.

Among some Muslim people, Shirk in Ruboobeeyah is manifested in their belief that the souls of saints and other righteous humans can affect the affairs of this world, even after their deaths. Their souls, it is believed, can fulfill one's needs, remove calamities and aid whoever calls on them. Therefore, grave worshippers assign to human souls the divine ability to cause events in this life which in fact only Allaah can cause.

Common among many Sufis (Muslim mystics) is the belief in "Rijaal al-Ghayb"9, chief of whom occupies the station called "Qutub" from which the affairs of this world are governed.10

(B) SHIRK BY NEGATION

This sub-category represents the various philosophies and ideologies which deny the existence of God either explicitly or implicitly. That is, in some cases God's non-existence is stated (Atheism), while in other cases His existence is claimed, but the way in which He is conceived actually denies His existence (Pantheism).

There are a few ancient religious "systems" in which God does not exist, foremost among them is the system attributed to Gautama Buddha. Buddhism, a reformist movement in Hinduism opposed to the caste system, was founded in the 6th century BC during the same period as Jainism. During the 3rd century BC it became the state religion. Eventually it was assimilated by Hinduism, Buddha himself becoming one of the Avatars (incarnations of God). It disappeared from India but became dominant in China and other Eastern nations. Hinayana Buddhism (400-250 BC), the earlier and more strict of the two interpretations of Buddhism which arose after Gautama Buddha's death, makes it clear that there is no God; hence the burden of salvation belongs to the individual alone.11 Thus, this ancient strain of Buddhism could be classified as an example of Shirk in Ruboobeeyah wherein God's existence is explicitly denied.

Similarly in the teachings of Jainism as systematized by Vardhamana, there is no God, but liberated souls achieve something of this status, having immortality and omniscience; and the religious community treats the liberated ones as though they were divine, building temples to them and venerating their images.12

Another ancient example is that of the Pharaoh of Prophet Moses' time. Allaah mentioned in the Qur'aan that he negated the existence of God and claimed to Moses and the people of Egypt that he, Pharaoh, was the only true lord of all creation. Allaah quoted him as saying to Moses, "If you chose a god besides me, I will surely imprison you"13 and to the people, "He proclaimed, 'I am your Lord, the Most High'"14

In the nineteenth and twentieth centuries a number of European philosophers asserted the non-existence of God in what became know as the "death of God philosophy". The German philosopher Philipp Mainlander (1841-1876) in his principal writing, The Philosophy of Redemption, 1876, states that the world begins with the death of God, since God is a principle of unity shattered in the plurality of the world and a principle of joy denied in the law of suffering which dominates the worid.15 In Prussia Friedrich Nietzsche (1844-1900) supported the idea of the "death of God" proposing that God was nothing more than a projection of man's uneasy conscience and that man was the bridge to the Superman.16 Jean Paul Sartre, a French philosopher of the twentieth century also echoed the "death of God" thought. He claimed that God could not exist because He was a contradiction in terms. The idea of God, according to him, is a projection which man must make being what he is.17

Darwin's (d. 1882) proposal that man was merely a glorified ape was widely adopted in the theories of social scientists and philosophers of the nineteenth century as it provided a "scientific" basis for the non-existence of God. According to them religion evolved from animism to monotheism along with man's supposed social evolution from an independent individual to a national state and his physical evolution from ape to man.

They attempt to escape the questions surrounding creation by claiming that there was none and by attributing Allaah's attribute of being without beginning and end to matter which He has created. Present day holders of this belief are the followers of Karl Marx, communists and scientific socialists, who claim that the origin of everything in existence is matter in motion. They further claim that God is a figment of man's imagination created by the ruling classes to justify their hereditary rule and divert the attention of the oppressed masses from the realities in which they live.

An example of this form of Shirk among some Muslims is that of many Sufis like Ibn 'Arabee who claim that only Allaah exists (All is Allaah, and Allaah is all). They deny the separate existence of Allaah and thereby in fact deny His existence. This idea was also expressed in the 17th century by the Dutch Jewish philosopher, Baruch Spinoza, who claimed that God is the total of all parts of the universe including man.


SHIRK IN AL-ASMAA WAS-SIFAAT

Shirk in this category includes both the common pagan practice of giving Allaah the attributes of His creation as well as the act of giving created beings Allaah's names and attributes.

(A) SHIRK BY HUMANIZATION

In this aspect of Shirk in al-Asmaa was-Sifaat, Allaah is given the form and qualities of human beings and animals. Due to man's superiority over animals, the human form is more commonly used by idolaters to represent God in creation. Consequently, the image of the Creator is often painted, moulded or carved in the shape of human beings possessing the physical features of those who worship them. For example, Hindus and Buddhists worship countless idols in the likeness of Asian men and consider them manifestations of God in creation. Modern day Christian belief that Prophet Jesus was God incarnate; that the Creator became His creation, is another good example of this type of Shirk. There have been many so-called great Christian painters like Michaelangelo (d. 1565), who painted pictures of God as a naked old European man with long flowing white hair and beard on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican. These pictures have in turn, been held by the Christian world in the highest of esteem.

(B) SHIRK BY DEIFICATION

This form of Shirk in al-Asmaa was-Sifaat relates to cases where created beings or things are given or claim Allaah's names or His attributes. For example, it was the practice of the ancient Arabs to worship idols whose names were derived from the names of Allaah. Their main three idols were: al-Laat taken from Allaah's name al-Elaah, al-'Uzza taken from al-'Azeez and al-Manaat taken from al-Mannaan. During the Prophet Muhammad's era there was also a false prophet in a region of Arabia called Yamaamah, who took the name Rahmaan which only belongs to Allaah.

Among the Shi'ite sects is the Nusayreeyah of Syria, who believe that the Prophet Muhammad's cousin and son-in-law, 'Alee ibn Abee Taalib, was a manifestation of Allaah and give him many of Allaah's qualities. Among them is also the Ismai'ils also know as Agha Khanis who consider their leader, the Agha Khan, to be God incarnate. Also included in this category are the Druze of Lebanon who believe that the Faatimid Caliph al-Haakim bi Amrillaah, was the last manifestation of Allaah among mankind.

Claims of Sufis (muslim mystics) like al-Hallaaj that they have become one with God and as such exist as manifestations of the Creator within His creation may also be included in this aspect of Shirk in al-Asmaa was-sifaat. Modern-day spiritualists and mediums like Shirley Maclaine, J.Z. Knight, etc., often claim divinity for themselves as well as mankind in general. Einstein's Theory of Relativity (E = mc2, Energy is equal to mass times the square of the speed of light) taught in all schools is in fact an expression of Shirk in al-Asmaa was-Sifaat. The theory states that energy can neither be created nor destroyed; it merely transforms into matter and vice versa. However, both matter and energy are created entities and they both will be destroyed as Allaah clearly states:

"Allaah is the creator of all things..."18

"Everything in (the world) will perish..."19

The theory also implies that mass and energy are eternal having no beginning or end since they are supposed to be uncreated and transform into each other. However, this attribute belongs only to Allaah who alone is without beginning or end.

[MSA-USC Editor's note: Understand that the author is pointing out a flaw in an informal part of the theory of relativity, that is, that matter and energy are eternal. The author is not arguing against the mathematical relationship between these two, but rather against their independence from Allaah's all-encompassing power - both creative and destructive.]

Darwin's theory of evolution is also an attempt to explain the evolution of life and its forms from lifeless matter without the intervention of God. One of the leading Darwinists of this century, Sir Aldous Huxley expressed this thought as follows:

"Darwinism removed the whole idea of God as the creator of organisms from the sphere of national discussion."20




SHIRK IN AL-'EBAADAH

In this category of Shirk, acts of worship are directed to other than God and the reward for worship is sought from the creation instead of the Creator. As in the case of the previous categories, Shirk in al-'Ebaadah has two main aspects.

(A) ASH-SHIRK AL-AKBAR (MAJOR SHIRK):

This form of Shirk occurs when any act of worship is directed to other than Allaah. It represents the most obvious form of idolatry which the prophets were specifically sent by Allaah to call the masses of mankind away from. This concept is supported by Allaah's statement in the Qur'aan:

"Surely we have sent to every nation a messenger saying, worship Allaah and avoid Taaghoot (false gods)"21

Taaghoot actually means anything which is worshipped along with Allaah or instead of Allaah. For example, love is a form of worship which, in its perfection, should only be directed to Allaah. In Islaam, the love of God is expressed by total obedience to Him. It is not the type of love which man naturally feels toward creation; towards parents, children, food, etc. To direct that type of love towards God is to lower Him to the level of His creation which is Shirk in al-Asmaa was-Sifaat. Love which is worship is the total surrender of one's will to God. Consequently, Allaah told the Prophet ﷺ to tell the believers:

"Say: If you love Allaah, follow me and Allaah will love you."22

The Prophet ﷺ also told his companions, "None of you is a true believer until I become more beloved to him than his child, his father and the whole of mankind".23 Love of the Prophet ﷺ is not based on his humanity but on the divine origin of his message. Thus, like the love of Allaah, it is also expressed by total obedience to his commands.

Allaah said in the final revelation:

"Whoever obeys the Messenger has obeyed Allaah,"24

and

"Say: Obey Allaah and obey the Prophet..."25

If man allows the love of anything or anyone to come between himself and Allaah, then he has worshipped that thing. In this way, money can become one's god or even one's desires could become a god. The Prophet ﷺ said, "The worshipper of the Dirham will always be miserable"26 and Allaah said in the Qur'aan

"Have you not seen the one who takes his desires as his god?"27

Much emphasis has been placed on the evils of Shirk in 'Ebaadah (worship) because it contradicts the very purpose of creation as expressed in Allaah's statement:

"I have not created Jinn or mankind except for my worship."28

Major Shirk represents the greatest act of rebellion against the Lord of the Universe, and is thus the ultimate sin. It is a sin so great that it virtually cancels out all good a person may do and guarantees its perpetrator eternal damnation in Hell. Consequently, false religion is based primarily on this form of Shirk. All man-made systems in one way or another invite their followers to the worship of creation. Christians are called upon to pray to a man, a Prophet of God named Jesus, whom they claim to have been God incarnate. Catholics among Christians pray to Mary as the "mother of God", to the angels like Michael who is honored on May 8 and September 29, Michaelmas Day, as St. Michael,29 as well as to human saints, whether real or fictitious.

Muslims whose acts of worship fall into this category of Shirk are those who pray to Prophet Muhammad ﷺ or to mystics in the Sufi hierarchy of saints believing that they can answer their prayers, though Allaah has clearly said in the Qur'aan:

"Say: Think to yourselves, if Allaah's punishment came upon you or the Final Hour, would you then call on other than Allaah? (Reply) if you are truthful."30

(B) ASH-SHIRK AL-ASGHAR (MINOR SHIRK):

Mabmood ibn Lubayd reported, "Allaah's messenger ﷺ said: "The thing I fear for you the most is ash-Shirk al-Asghar (minor shirk)." The companions asked "Oh! messenger of Allaah, what is minor Shirk?" He replied "Ar-Riyaa (showing off), for verily Allaah will say on the Day of Resurrection when people are receiving their rewards, 'Go to those for whom you were showing off in the material world and see if you can find any reward from them.'"31

Mahmood ibn Lubayd also said, "The Prophet ﷺ came out and announced, 'O people, beware of secret Shirk!' The people asked, 'O messenger of Allaah, what is secret Shirk?' He replied, 'When a man gets up to pray and strives to beautify his prayer because people are looking at him; that is secret Shirk.'"32

Ar-Riyaa

Riyaa is the practise of performing any of the various forms of worship in order to be seen and praised by people. This sin destroys all the benefits that lie in righteous deeds and brings on the one who commits it a serious punishment. It is particularly dangerous, because it is natural for man to desire and enjoy the praise of his fellow men. Doing religious acts to impress people or in order to be praised by them is, therefore, an evil which deserves man's utmost caution. This danger is really significant to the believers whose goal is to make all of the acts of their lives religious acts dedicated to God. In fact, the likelihood that knowledgable true believers would commit ash-Shirk al-Akbar is small, since its pitfalls are so obvious. But, for the true believer like everyone else, the chance of committing Riyaa is great because it is so hidden. It only involves the simple act of changing one's intention. The motivating forces behind it are also very strong, since it comes from man's inner nature. Ibn 'Abbaas alluded to this reality when he said, "Shirk is more hidden than a black ant creeping on a black stone in the middle of a moonless night."33

Thus, great care has to be taken to ensure that one's intentions begin pure and remain pure whenever righteous deeds are being done. In order to ensure this, the saying of Allaah's name is enjoined in Islaam before all acts of importance. A series of Du'aas (informal prayers) have also been prescribed by the Prophet ﷺ before and after all natural habits like eating, drinking, sleeping, sex, and even going to the toilet, in order to turn these everyday habits into acts of worship and develop in Muslims a keen awareness of Allaah. It is this awareness, called Taqwaa, which ultimately insures that intentions remain pure.

The Prophet ﷺ also provided protection against the inevitable acts of Shirk by teaching certain specific prayers which may be said anytime. Abu Moosaa said, "One day Allaah's messenger delivered a sermon saying 'O people, fear Shirk for it is more hidden than the creeping of an ant.' Those whom Allaah wished asked, 'And how do we avoid it when it is more hidden than the creeping of an ant, O Messenger of Allaah?' He replied, 'Say: Allaahumma Innaa na'oodhu bika an nushrika bika shay'an na'lamuh, wa nastaghfiruka limaa laa na'lamuh (O Allaah, we seek refuge in you from knowingly committing shirk with you and we ask your forgiveness for what we do not know about).'"34

In the following chapters a more detailed look will be taken of the most prominent areas in which Shirk in all its three aspects most commonly occurs.


FOOTNOTES

1 Soorah an-Nisaa, 4:48.

2 The Hans Wehr Dictionary of Modern Written Arabic, p.468.

3 W.L. Reese, Dictionary of Philosophy and Religion, (New Jersey: Humanities Press, 1980), pp.66-67 and 586-7. See also John Hinnells, Dictionary of Religions (England: Penguin Books, 1984) pp.67-8.

4 Dictionary of Religions, p.337.

5 Dictionary of Philosophy and Religion, p.231.

6 Dictionary of Religions, pp.361-2.

7 Dictionary of Religions, p.358.

8 Ibid., p. 363.

9 Literally, "men of the unseen world". The world is supposed to endure due to the intercessions of a hierarchy of "averting" Saints whose number are fixed, the place of one who dies being immediately filled. (Shorter Encyclopedia of Islam, p.582).

10 Shorter Encyclopedia of Islam, pp.55.

11 Dictionary of Philosophy and Religion, p.72.

12 Dictionary of Philosophy and Religion, pp. 262-3.

13 Soorah ash-Shooraa, 26:29.

14 Soorah an-Naazi'aat, 79:24.

15 Dictionary of Philosophy and Religion, p.327.

16 Ibid., p.391.

17 Dictionary of Philosophy and Religion, pp.508-9.

18 Soorah az-Zumar, 39:62.

19 Soorah ar-Rahmaan, 55:26.

20 Quoted in Francis Hitching's, The Neck of the Giraffe, (New York: Ticknor and Fields, 1982), p.254 from Tax and Callender, 1960, vol.111, p.45.

21 Soorah an-Nahl, 16:36.

22 Soorah Aal'Imraan, 3:31.

23 Reported by Anas and collected by al-Bukhaaree (Sahih Bukhari (English- Arabic), vol.1, p.20, no.13) and Muslim (Sahih Muslim (English Trans.), vol.1, p.31, no.71).

24 Soorah an-Nisaa, 4:80.

25 Soorah Aal'Imraan, 3:32.

26 Reported by al-Bukhaaree (Sahih Bukhari, (English-Arabic), vol.8, p.296, no.443).

27 Soorah al-Furqaan, 25:43.

28 Soorah adh-Dhaariyaat, 51:56.

29 William Halsey (ed.), Colliers Encyclopedia, (U.S.A: Crowell-Collier Educational Foundation; 1970, vol.16, p.110.

30 Soorah al-An'aam, 6:40.

31 Reported by Ahmad. at-Tabaraanee and al-Bayhaqee in az-Zuhd. See Tayseer al-'Azeez al-Hameed, p.118.

32 Collected by Ibn Khuzaymah.

33 Reported by Ibn Abee Haatim and quoted in Tayseer al-'Azeez al-Hameed, p. 587

34 Collected by Ahmad and at-Tabaraanee.

When he was still a youth, not yet past the age of puberty, he used to roam the mountain trails of Makkah far away from people, tending the flocks of a Quraysh chieftain, Uqbah ibn Muayt. People called him "Ibn Umm Abd"--the son of the mother of a slave. His real name was Abdullah and his father's name was Masud.

The youth had heard the news of the Prophet who had appeared among his people but he did not attach any importance to it both because of his age and because he was usually far away from Makkan society. It was his custom to leave with the flock of Uqbah early in the morning and not return until nightfall.

One day while tending the flocks, Abdullah saw two men, middle-aged and of dignified bearing, coming towards him from a distance. They were obviously very tired. They were also so thirsty that their lips and throat were quite dry. They came up to him, greeted him and said, "Young man, milk one of these sheep for us that we may quench our thirst and recover our strength."

"I cannot," replied the young man. "The sheep are not mine. I am only responsible for looking after them."

The two men did not argue with him. In fact, although they were so thirsty, they were extremely pleased at the honest reply. The pleasure showed on their faces . . .

The two men in fact were the blessed Prophet himself and his companion, Abu Bakr Siddiq. They had gone out on that day to the mountains of Makkah to escape the violent persecution of the Quraysh.

The young man in turn was impressed with the Prophet and his companion and soon became quite attached to them.

It was not long before Abdullah ibn Masud became a Muslim and offered to be in the service of the Prophet. The Prophet agreed and from that day the fortunate Abdullah ibn Masud gave up tending sheep in exchange for looking after the needs of the blessed Prophet.

Abdullah ibn Masud remained closely attached to the Prophet. He would attend to his needs both inside and outside the house. He would accompany him on journeys and expeditions. He would wake him when he slept. He would shield him when he washed. He would carry his staff and his siwak (toothbrush) and attend to his other personal needs .

Abdullah ibn Masud received a unique training in the household of the Prophet. He was under the guidance of the Prophet, he adopted his manner and followed his every trait until it was said of him, "He was the closest to the Prophet in character."

Abdullah was taught in the 'school" of the Prophet. He was the best reciter of the Quran among the companions and he understood it better than them all. He was therefore the most knowledgeable on the Shariah. Nothing can illustrate this better than the story of the man who came to Umar ibn al-Khattab as he was standing on the plain of Arafat and said:

"I have come, O Amir al-Mumineen, from Kufah where I left a man filling copies of the Quran from memory." Umar became very angry and paced up and down beside his camel, fuming. "Who is he?" he asked. "Abdullah ibn Masud," replied the man. Umar's anger subsided and he regained his composure. "Woe to you," he said to the man. "By God, I don't know of any person left who is more qualified in this matter than he is. Let me tell you about this." Umar continued: "One night the Messenger of God, peace be upon him, was having a conversation with Abu Bakr about the situation of Muslims. I was with them. When the Prophet left, we left with him also and as we passed through the mosque, there was a man standing in Prayer whom we did not recognize. The Prophet stood and listened to him, then turned to us and said, 'Whoever wants to read the Quran as fresh as when it was revealed, then let him read according to the recitation of Ibn Umm Abd.'

After the Prayer, as Abdullah sat making supplications, the Prophet, peace be on him, said, "Ask and it will be given to you. Ask and it will be given to you." Umar continued: "I said to myself, I shall go to Abdullah ibn Masud straight away and tell him the good news of the Prophet's ensuring acceptance of his supplications. I went and did so but found that Abu Bakr had gone before me and conveyed the good news to him. By God, I have never yet beaten Abu Bakr in the doing of any good."

Abdullah ibn Masud attained such a knowledge of the Quran that he would say, "By Him besides Whom there is no god, no verse of the book of God has been revealed without my knowing where it was revealed and the circumstances of its revelation. By God, if I know there was anyone who knew more of the Book of Allah, I will do whatever is in my power to be with him."

Abdullah was not exaggerating in what he said about himself. Once Umar ibn al-Khattab met a caravan on one of his journeys as caliph. It was pitch dark and the caravan could not be seen properly. Umar ordered someone to hail the caravan. It happened that Abdullah ibn Masud was in it.

"From where do you come?" asked Umar.

"From a deep valley," came the reply. (The expression used fajj amiq deep valley--is a Quranic one).

"And where are you going?" asked Umar.

"To the ancient house," came the reply. (The expression used al-bayt al-atiq ancient house, is a Quranic one.)

"There is a learned person (alim) among them," said Umar and he commanded someone to ask the person:

"Which part of the Quran is the greatest?"

"God. There is no god except Him, the Living, the Self-subsisting. Neither slumber overtakes Him nor sleep," replied the person answering, quoting the Ayat al-Kursi (the verse of the Throne).

"Which part of the Quran is the most clear on justice?"

"God commands what it just and fair the feeding of relatives..." came the answer.

"What it the most comprehensive statement of the Quran?'

"Whoever does an atom's weight of good shall see it, and whoever does an atom's weight of evil shall see it."

"Which part of the Quran gives risk to the greatest hope?'

"Say, O my servants who have wasted their resources, do not despair of the mercy of God. Indeed, God forgives all sins. He is the Forgiving, the Compassionate."

Thereupon Umar asked:

"Is Abdullah ibn Masud among you?'

"Yes, by God," the men in the caravan replied.

Abdullah ibn Masud was not only a reciter of the Quran, a learned man or a fervent worshipper. He was in addition a strong and courageous fighter, one who became deadly serious when the occasion demanded it.

The companions of the Prophet were together one day in Makkah. They were still few in number, weak and oppressed. They said, "The Quraysh have not yet heard the Quran being recited openly and loudly. Who is the man who could recite it for them?'

"I shall recite it from them," volunteered Abdullah ibn Masud . "We are afraid for you," they said. "We only want someone who has a clan who would protect him from their evil . "

"Let me," Abdullah ibn Masud insisted, "Allah shall protect me and keep me away from their evil." He then went out to the mosque until he reached Maqam Ibrahim (a few meters from the Kabah). It was dawn and the Quraysh were sitting around the Kabah. Abdullah stopped at the Maqam and began to recite:

"Bismillah irRahma nirRahim. Ar-Rahman. Allama-l Quran. Khalaqal insan. Allamahul bayan... (In the name of God, the Beneficent, the Merciful. The Merciful God. He has taught the Quran. He has created man and taught him the clear truth...)"

He went on reciting. The Quraysh looked at him intently and some of them asked: "What is Ibn Umm Abd saying?" "Damn him! He is reciting some of what Muhammad brought!" they realized.

They went up to him and began beating his face as he continued reciting. When he went back to his companions the blood was flowing from his face.

"This is what we feared for you," they said. "By God," replied Abdullah, "the enemies of God are not more comfortable than I at this moment. If you wish. I shall go out tomorrow and do the same." "You have done enough," they said. "You have made them hear what they dislike."

Abdullah ibn Masud lived to the time of Khalifah Uthman, may God be pleased with him. When he was sick and on his death-bed, Uthman came to visit him and said:

"What is your ailment?"

"My sins."

"And what do you desire?"

"The mercy of my Lord."

"Shall I not give you your stipend which you have refused to take for years now?"

"I have no need of it."

"Let it be for your daughters after you."

"Do you fear poverty for my children? I have commanded them to read Surah al-Waqiah every night for I have heard the Prophet saying, "Whoever reads Al-Waqiah every night shall not be afflicted by poverty ever."

That night, Abdullah passed away to the company of his Lord, his tongue moist with the remembrance of God and with the recitation of the verses of His Book.