Understanding Shirk - Grave sin of Associating Partners with Allah (Reference Page)

Islam is a monotheistic religion for it is about belief in the oneness of Allah (God). The central concept in Islam is the belief that Allah is the only God, the sole Creator and Sustainer of the universe, and that there is no deity or god other than Him. This belief in the oneness of God is known as Tawhid, which is the foundation of Islamic theology and spirituality.

This monotheistic is tangent to all forms of beliefs and worship where partners are associating with Allah in power sharing or even someone at par with Allah. This act in Islam is called Shirk " شرك " an Arabic word meaning "the deification or worship of anyone or anything besides One True God."  Shirk is polytheism, the outright negation of monotheism. It is for this reason, shirk is the most disliked thing by the Almighty Allah, despite He being the Most Merciful and immensely Forgiving. For this reason, It is considered as the greatest sin in Islam and is explicitly condemned in the Qur'an and Hadith.

“Indeed, Allah does not forgive association with Him, but He forgives what is less than that for whom He wills. And he who associates others with Allah has certainly fabricated a tremendous sin.” Surah An-Nisa (4:48)

Please read exegesis / tafsir of 112th verse of Qur'an wherein Allah tells that He alone is to be worshiped and He alone is the Master of the entire universe: Sürah 112.  Al Ikhlas (The Declaration of [God's] Oneness)  And also the attribute of Allah: Al Ahad - The One and Only

Shirk may take different forms, which must be avoided by all believers. Shirk may take following forms, as given below:

• Shirk in Worship (Ritualistic Shirk): This involves directing acts of worship (such as prayer, supplication, fasting, or sacrifice) to someone or something other than Allah, like idols, saints, or any other being considered to have divine power.
• Shirk in Belief: This refers to attributing divine qualities, such as creation, omnipotence, or knowledge, to someone or something other than Allah, such as believing that a human being, angel, or other entity shares Allah’s attributes.
• Shirk in Lordship (Rububiyyah): This involves attributing Allah's sovereign control over creation, sustenance, or the universe to someone else. For example, believing that a person or object has control over the natural world or life events in a way that only Allah does.
• Shirk in Names and Attributes (Asma wa Sifat): This involves assigning Allah’s unique names or attributes (such as "the Most Merciful" or "the All-Knowing") to anyone other than Him.

Why is Shirk so Important to Avoid in Islam?

Shirk is regarded as the most severe offense in Islam, and its consequences are dire both in this life and the Hereafter. Here are the key reasons why Muslims are urged to avoid shirk:

• Violates the Concept of Tawhid (Monotheism): Tawhid, or the oneness of Allah, is the core of the Islamic faith. Shirk undermines this fundamental principle by introducing multiple powers or deities and thereby distorting the understanding of Allah’s singular sovereignty.
• The Greatest Sin in Islam: Shirk is considered the ultimate form of injustice (zulm), as it assigns divine qualities to something other than Allah. Allah has stated in the Qur'an that He will forgive all sins, except for shirk, if a person dies without repentance.
• Consequences in the Afterlife: One of the most serious consequences of shirk is that Allah does not forgive it if a person dies without repenting. Those who commit shirk and do not repent are warned of eternal punishment in Hell.
• Disconnection from Allah's Mercy: Committing shirk is seen as a barrier between a person and the mercy of Allah. It breaks the relationship of pure worship that should exist between the believer and their Creator.

Committing shirk not only endangers a person’s soul but also disrespects Allah’s sovereignty and mercy. Muslims are urged to uphold pure monotheism, placing their trust and worship solely in Allah, who is the Creator and Sustainer of the universe. Avoiding shirk is essential to maintaining the integrity of one’s faith and ensuring a successful Hereafter.

We have already published a number of posts covering aspects of Shirk. Through this reference page, we are providing links to already published posts hereinunder for the information of our readers to know more about shirk and will keep adding more posts on shirk as and when published:

• Selected Verses from Quran: The Sin of Shirk - Associating Partners with God
• An eye opener verse from Qur'an for those who commit Shirk by turning to deities other than Allah 
• Is it Right to Ask the Dead by visiting their graves for Help?
• Who will be among the worst creatures on the Day of Resurrection (Hadith Prophet Muhammad ﷺ)
• Allah alone is the Deliverer - Yet you associate others with Allah in His divinity
• What is the Reality of Shirk - the sin of idolatry or polytheism (Scholars' Viewpoint)

In time, we shall add more posts as this severely detested act of worship by Allah abounds in many verses of Qur'an and teachings of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.

May Allāh (سبحانه و تعالى‎)  help us understand Qur'ān and follow the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, which is embodiment of commandments of Allah contained in the Qur'ān. May Allah help us to be like the ones He loves and let our lives be lived helping others and not making others' lives miserable or unlivable. May all our wrong doings, whether intentional or unintentional, be forgiven before the angel of death knocks on our door. 

وَمَا عَلَيۡنَاۤ اِلَّا الۡبَلٰغُ الۡمُبِيۡنُ‏ 

(36:17) and our duty is no more than to clearly convey the Message.”

That is Our duty is only to convey to you the message that Allah has entrusted us with. Then it is for you to accept it or reject it. We have not been made responsible for making you accept it forcibly, and if you do not accept it, we shall not be seized in consequence of your disbelief, you will yourselves be answerable for your actions on Day of Resurrection.

Reading the Qur'ān should be a daily obligation of a Muslim - Reading it with translation will make it meaningful. But reading its Exegesis / Tafsir will make you understand it fully. It will also help the Muslims to have grasp over social issues and their answers discussed in the Qur'an and other matter related to inter faith so that they are able to discuss issues with non-Muslims with authority based on refences from Qur'an.

May Allah forgive me if my posts ever imply a piety far greater than I possess. I am most in need of guidance.

Note: When we mention God in our posts, we mean One True God, we call Allah in Islam, with no associates. Allah is the Sole Creator of all things, and that Allah is all-powerful and all-knowing. Allah has no offspring, no race, no gender, no body, and is unaffected by the characteristics of human life.

For more Selected Subjects, please refer to our reference page: Selected Verses from Al Qur'an about a Specific Subject (Reference Page) to know more about what Qur'an says about specific subjects.

For more Selected Verses, please refer to our reference page: Selected Verses from the Qur'an. You may also refer to our Reference Pages  and Understanding Al Qur'an for knowing more about Islam and Qur'ān.

Photo | 

Disclaimer: The material for this post has been collected from the references given above. If anyone differs with the material contained in this post, one may consult the references and their authors.  If someone has more material about the subject, he/she is most welcome to share in the comments box to make the post all encompassing.

If you like Islam: My Ultimate Decision, and to keep yourself updated on all our latest posts to know more about Islam, follow us on Facebook. You may also refer to our Facebook  Group Islam: The Ultimate Truth for more on Islam and Da'wah.

Follow @IslamUltimate

Please share this page to your friends and family members through Facebook, WhatsApp or any means on social media so that they can also be benefited by it and better understand Islam and the Qur'ān - Insha Allah (Allah Willing) you shall be blessed with the best of both worlds.

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Allah alone is the Deliverer - Yet you associate others with Allah in His divinity

Man has always been impatient - hurrying up things despite knowing that things move when it is there time to move. This is also true when someone in distress calls on to God to redress his grievance but when the distress is not gone hurriedly, many the distressed usually turn to holy men for prayers and even intercession. This is due to lack of faith in one's Creator and His wisdom to resolve issues as He thinks the best.

Yet many a men, even many Muslims, especially in certain cultural or traditional contexts, seek the help of holy men (saints, pious individuals, or religious leaders) for intercession or deliverance in times of need. We see such people flocking the tombs of saints, making supplications at their graves, or asking for their intercession with Allah, believing that these individuals have a special connection with Allah. This practice has been a part of some Muslim cultures, especially in parts of South Asia, North Africa, and the Middle East.

However, in Islamic monotheism (Tawhid), belief in the oneness of Allah is central. The Qur'an and the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ emphasize that all deliverance, guidance, and mercy ultimately come from Allah alone. The reliance on intermediaries, such as holy men, for deliverance or intercession, is a topic of theological debate in the Muslim community, and many scholars believe it is contrary to the pure worship of Allah.

With this premise, let us refer to the 64th verse of Surah 6. An'am in which Allah asks men if they have any doubt about His Divinity and deliverance. This verse should open eyes of those Muslims, specially of Indian sub continent, who find others than Allah as their deliverers or Mushkil Kusha " مشکل کشا ":

قُلِ اللّٰهُ يُنَجِّيۡكُمۡ مِّنۡهَا وَمِنۡ كُلِّ كَرۡبٍ ثُمَّ اَنۡـتُمۡ تُشۡرِكُوۡنَ‏ 

(6:64) Say: "It is Allah alone Who delivers you from this and from every distress, and yet you associate others with Allah in His divinity."

In fact this verse is a follow-up of the immediately earlier verse:

(6:63) Ask them (O Muhammad!): 'Who is it that delivers you from dangers in the deep darkness of the land and the sea, and to whom do you call in humility and in the secrecy of your hearts? To whom do you pray: "If He will but save us from this distress, we shall most certainly be among the thankful?"

The verses above in simple explanation mean that God alone possesses all power and authority, and has full control over the things which cause either benefit or harm to men, and that He alone holds the reins of their destiny are facts to which there is ample testimony in man's own being. For instance, whenever man is faced with a really hard time, and when the resources upon which he normally fails back seem to fail him, he instinctively turns to God. In spite of such a clear sign, people set up partners to God without any shred of evidence that anyone other than God has any share in His power and authority. Or simply put: No human being—no matter how pious or revered—has the power to alter the divine plan or to provide deliverance except by the will of Allah.

Now let us go in some detail explaining the above quoted verse:

Divine Control over Deliverance: The verse emphasizes that Allah is the ultimate planner, meaning that deliverance, help, or mercy is ultimately in His hands. Turning to anyone else, even if they are perceived as holy or righteous, can be seen as a misunderstanding of Allah's exclusive power. While holy men might pray for others or offer guidance, the belief in their ability to bring deliverance on their own is at odds with the teaching that only Allah has complete control over all outcomes.

Allah's Plan is Superior: The verse speaks of how people might plot and plan, but Allah’s plan will always prevail. This teaches that reliance on human intermediaries, instead of relying on Allah, is a form of trusting in human schemes rather than the divine plan. The verse is a reminder that Allah's wisdom and power surpass all others. Therefore, one should place their trust in Allah alone and seek His help directly, as He is the ultimate source of strength, guidance, and deliverance.

The Problem of Shirk (Associating Partners with Allah): In Islam, associating anyone with Allah in terms of worship or seeking deliverance is known as shirk, and it is considered one of the gravest sins. Turning to holy men for deliverance could be seen as a form of shirk if it involves asking them to intervene in a way that is believed to bypass Allah’s will or power. This goes against the concept of Tawhid, the belief in the oneness of Allah, which emphasizes that only Allah should be relied upon for help and deliverance.

Intercession in Islam: While it is true that the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) can intercede on behalf of his followers on the Day of Judgment, this intercession is not to be misunderstood as a form of relying on the Prophet for direct deliverance in this life. Muslims are encouraged to make their supplications directly to Allah and to seek His mercy, while understanding that any intercession is by Allah’s permission alone. This reflects the idea that the ultimate control remains with Allah.

The Implications of the verse

The verse highlights that Allah is the best planner and the ultimate controller of all things. It serves as a reminder that Muslims should place their trust in Allah alone for deliverance and guidance, rather than turning to holy men or intermediaries. While respect for pious individuals is important in Islam, relying on them for deliverance or supplicating them as though they have independent power to change Allah's will goes against the fundamental principles of Tawhid. The verse encourages believers to seek Allah's help directly, trusting in His perfect plan and wisdom.

• Direct Access to Allah’s Mercy: The verse emphasizes that Allah's mercy and forgiveness are directly accessible to the believer. There is no need to turn to anyone else, such as holy men, for this mercy or forgiveness. The person who repents can do so directly to Allah without the need for intermediaries. Allah is close and always ready to forgive those who sincerely seek His mercy, regardless of their past sins.
• No Need for Intermediaries in Repentance: The verse makes it clear that those who repent and correct themselves will find Allah’s mercy, forgiveness, and guidance. There is no need for intermediaries, such as holy men, to facilitate this process. The Muslim's relationship with Allah is personal and direct. Repentance and deliverance come from Allah alone, and it is a direct appeal to Him, not to anyone else.
• Misplaced Reliance on Intermediaries: Seeking deliverance through holy men can be seen as an indirect approach to Allah. While respecting pious individuals is encouraged in Islam, believing that they have the power to intercede independently of Allah goes against the principle of Tawhid, the belief in the oneness of Allah. The Qur'an stresses that no one shares Allah’s power, especially when it comes to forgiveness and mercy.
• Shifting Focus from Allah to Intermediaries: When people seek deliverance from holy men, they may inadvertently shift their focus away from the direct mercy of Allah, which is readily available to them. The verse stresses that Allah has decreed mercy upon Himself, and all believers must turn to Him, especially when seeking forgiveness and deliverance from difficulties. This verse challenges the notion that a human intermediary has a unique ability to grant mercy or deliverance.

This verse thus reinforces the Islamic principle that Allah alone provides forgiveness, guidance, and mercy. It encourages believers to seek Allah’s help directly and not rely on intermediaries, such as holy men or saints, to bring about deliverance. The verse serves as a reminder that repentance and mercy are direct from Allah, and there is no need for anyone to stand between a believer and their Creator. Turning to Allah directly, in sincerity and humility, is the proper course, and it is through this connection that deliverance is granted.

This verse inadvertently cautions the believers to avert any chances of committing Shirk and rely only on the help of Allah and be always contended and believe that whatever the circumstances may be, one has to be patient and supplicate only to Allah to ease out one's sufferings and distress. 

May Allāh (سبحانه و تعالى‎)  help us understand Qur'ān and follow the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, which is embodiment of commandments of Allah contained in the Qur'ān. May Allah help us to be like the ones He loves and let our lives be lived helping others and not making others' lives miserable or unlivable. May all our wrong doings, whether intentional or unintentional, be forgiven before the angel of death knocks on our door. 

وَمَا عَلَيۡنَاۤ اِلَّا الۡبَلٰغُ الۡمُبِيۡنُ‏ 

(36:17) and our duty is no more than to clearly convey the Message.”

That is Our duty is only to convey to you the message that Allah has entrusted us with. Then it is for you to accept it or reject it. We have not been made responsible for making you accept it forcibly, and if you do not accept it, we shall not be seized in consequence of your disbelief, you will yourselves be answerable for your actions on Day of Resurrection.

Reading the Qur'ān should be a daily obligation of a Muslim - Reading it with translation will make it meaningful. But reading its Exegesis / Tafsir will make you understand it fully. It will also help the Muslims to have grasp over social issues and their answers discussed in the Qur'an and other matter related to inter faith so that they are able to discuss issues with non-Muslims with authority based on refences from Qur'an.

May Allah forgive me if my posts ever imply a piety far greater than I possess. I am most in need of guidance.

Note: When we mention God in our posts, we mean One True God, we call Allah in Islam, with no associates. Allah is the Sole Creator of all things, and that Allah is all-powerful and all-knowing. Allah has no offspring, no race, no gender, no body, and is unaffected by the characteristics of human life.

Please refer to our Reference Page: Understanding Shirk - Grave sin of Associating Partners with Allah to know about Shirk and why it is the unpardonable act by Allah

You may also read more posts on similar theme in our series of posts related to: Compiled verses from Qur'an on specific subjects: Faith in Allah 

For more Selected Verses, please refer to our reference page: Selected Verses from the Qur'an. You may also refer to our Reference Pages  and Understanding Al Qur'an for knowing more about Islam and Qur'ān.

Photo | Tafsir References: | 1 | 2 |  

An effort has been made to gather explanation / exegesis of the surahs and selected verses of the Qur'ān from authentic sources and then present a least possible condensed explanation of the surah. In that the exegesis of the chapters of the Quran is mainly based on the "Tafhim al-Qur'an - The Meaning of the Qur'an" by one of the most enlightened scholars of the Muslim World Sayyid Abul Ala Maududi.  

In addition, references of other sources which have been explored have also been given above. Those desirous of detailed explanations and tafsir (exegesis), may refer to these sites. For expansion of meaning and themes / contextual background help from ChatGPT is also taken.

Disclaimer: The material for this post has been collected from the references given above. If anyone differs with the material contained in this post, one may consult the references and their authors.  If someone has more material about the subject, he/she is most welcome to share in the comments box to make the post all encompassing.

If you like Islam: My Ultimate Decision, and to keep yourself updated on all our latest posts to know more about Islam, follow us on Facebook. You may also refer to our Facebook  Group Islam: The Ultimate Truth for more on Islam and Da'wah.

Follow @IslamUltimate

Please share this page to your friends and family members through Facebook, WhatsApp or any means on social media so that they can also be benefited by it and better understand Islam and the Qur'ān - Insha Allah (Allah Willing) you shall be blessed with the best of both worlds.

Read More

Is it Right to Ask the Dead by visiting their graves for Help?

Today we write on a subject which is very sensitive to a large section of Muslims, specially in many countries of Asia and Middle East. Therefore this post is to be read with an open mind with a caution that is it only academic viewpoint and DOES NOT in any way considered to be infringing upon one's faith or teachings of a particular school of thought. 

It is generally seen in countries of Indian sub-continent that Muslims visit shrines (the graves of those whom people ‘believe’ were pious) and ASK the souls of the ‘pious’ for health, children, wealth, and things that only Allah can provide. These people claim that they’re really not asking the dead for these things, but using them as intercessors with Allah. Their belief is that because the pious did good in this world when they were alive, they are now in a position to act as intercessors with Allah for those who invoke them.

However, in Islam, the practice of visiting graves has a clear and defined purpose, as taught by Prophet Muhimmad (peace be upon him), but asking or praying to the dead, "even to pious individuals like the awliya (saints or friends of Allah)" is not permitted. 

Hereinunder we share a neutral viewpoint based on the Qur'an, Hadith, and Islamic teachings.

Islamic Monotheism (Tawhid)

One of the fundamental beliefs in Islam is Tawhid, the oneness of Allah. This means that all worship, prayers, and supplications should be directed to Allah alone. No one, no matter how righteous or pious they were in their lifetime, has the power to intercede or fulfill our requests without Allah’s will.

Hereinunder are verses from Qur'an emphasizing the act of Tawhid and oneness of Allah:

• "It is You we worship and You we ask for help." Surah Al-Fatiha (1:5) This verse establishes the foundation that all forms of seeking help and worship must be directed to Allah alone.
• "And do not invoke, besides Allah, that which neither benefits you nor harms you, for if you did, then indeed you would be of the wrongdoers." Surah Yunus (10:106). This verse clearly forbids asking anyone other than Allah for help or intercession.

Prohibition of Associating Partners (Shirk)

The act of asking or calling upon the dead, even if they are considered awliya (friends of Allah), can lead to shirk (associating partners with Allah), which is considered one of the gravest sins in Islam.

Let us see what how Qur'an guides us from preventing shirk:

• "And the mosques are for Allah, so do not invoke anyone along with Allah." Surah Al-Jinn (72:18). This verse emphasizes that supplication and invocation should only be directed to Allah and no one else.
• "Unquestionably, for Allah is the pure religion. And those who take protectors besides Him [say], 'We only worship them that they may bring us nearer to Allah.' Indeed, Allah will judge between them concerning that over which they differ. Indeed, Allah does not guide he who is a liar and [confirmed] disbeliever." Surah Az-Zumar (39:3). This verse refutes the idea of intermediaries between a believer and Allah, even if those intermediaries are perceived as pious.

Purpose of Visiting Graves

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) encouraged visiting graves for the purpose of remembering death and the Hereafter, not for seeking help or making supplications to the dead.

• Hadith on Visiting Graves: The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "I had forbidden you to visit the graves, but now visit them, for they remind one of death." (Sahih Muslim)

This hadith clarifies that the purpose of visiting graves is to remind oneself of the temporary nature of this world and the inevitability of death. There is no mention of asking the dead for help or intercession.

Intercession and Prayers for the Dead

In Islam, we are encouraged to pray for the dead, asking Allah to forgive them and grant them mercy. However, praying to the dead or asking them for intercession is not allowed.

• Hadith on Asking for Intercession: The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "When a person dies, his deeds come to an end except for three things: ongoing charity, beneficial knowledge, and a righteous child who prays for him." (Sahih Muslim)

This hadith indicates that the deceased cannot help themselves or others once they have passed away, except through the deeds they left behind. Therefore, asking them for help is not in accordance with Islamic teachings.

Misunderstandings About Awliya and Their Role

While Islam holds the awliya (pious individuals) in high regard for their closeness to Allah, it is crucial to understand their role. They are respected for their righteousness, but they are still human beings, and like all other humans, they are subject to death and the limitations of created beings. They cannot hear, respond, or intercede on behalf of anyone unless Allah permits.

Here is what Qur'an says about status of Awliya:

• "Indeed, you will not make the dead hear, nor will you make the deaf hear the call when they turn their backs, retreating." Surah An-Naml (27:80): This verse clarifies that the dead cannot hear the supplications of the living.
• "Or have they taken other than Allah as intercessors? Say, 'Even though they do not possess [power over] anything, nor do they reason?' Say, 'To Allah belongs [the right to allow] intercession entirely. To Him belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth. Then to Him you will be returned.'" Surah Az-Zumar (39:43-44). That is Allah alone has the right to grant intercession, and no one else has the power to act on behalf of anyone without His permission.

Conclusion: Is it Right to Ask the Dead for Help?

No, it is not right to ask the dead, including awliya, for help or intercession. This practice contradicts the core principles of Tawhid (monotheism) in Islam, which mandates that all prayers, supplications, and invocations must be directed to Allah alone. While it is permissible and encouraged to visit graves for the sake of remembering death and praying for the deceased, asking the dead for assistance can lead to shirk, which is strictly forbidden in Islam.

The proper way to honor the pious awliya is by remembering their good deeds, learning from their examples, and praying for them, not to them.

Let us watch a video by Dr. Omar Suleiman as what to say when we visit a graveyard. It is not about them to intercede for us but to send salutations to all those buried in the graveyard and praying for their forgiveness  and that of our on for no one knows when is it our turn to be buried here. Let us also teach these supplications to our children so that when they visit our graves, they know what to say for our Magfirah / forgiveness:

May Allāh (سبحانه و تعالى‎)  help us understand Qur'ān and follow the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, which is embodiment of commandments of Allah contained in the Qur'ān. May Allah help us to be like the ones He loves and let our lives be lived helping others and not making others' lives miserable or unlivable. May all our wrong doings, whether intentional or unintentional, be forgiven before the angel of death knocks on our door. 

وَمَا عَلَيۡنَاۤ اِلَّا الۡبَلٰغُ الۡمُبِيۡنُ‏ 

(36:17) and our duty is no more than to clearly convey the Message.”

That is Our duty is only to convey to you the message that Allah has entrusted us with. Then it is for you to accept it or reject it. We have not been made responsible for making you accept it forcibly, and if you do not accept it, we shall not be seized in consequence of your disbelief, you will yourselves be answerable for your actions on Day of Resurrection.

Reading the Qur'ān should be a daily obligation of a Muslim - Reading it with translation will make it meaningful. But reading its Exegesis / Tafsir will make you understand it fully. It will also help the Muslims to have grasp over social issues and their answers discussed in the Qur'an and other matter related to inter faith so that they are able to discuss issues with non-Muslims with authority based on refences from Qur'an.

May Allah forgive me if my posts ever imply a piety far greater than I possess. I am most in need of guidance.

Note: When we mention God in our posts, we mean One True God, we call Allah in Islam, with no associates. Allah is the Sole Creator of all things, and that Allah is all-powerful and all-knowing. Allah has no offspring, no race, no gender, no body, and is unaffected by the characteristics of human life.

Please refer to our Reference Page: Understanding Shirk - Grave sin of Associating Partners with Allah to know about Shirk and why it is the unpardonable act by Allah

To know more about Islam and Qur'ān, please visit our exclusive reference page: Understanding Al Qur'an.

Photo | Resource References: | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 

An effort has been made to gather explanation / exegesis of the surahs and selected verses of the Qur'ān from authentic sources and then present a least possible condensed explanation of the surah. In that the exegesis of the chapters of the Quran is mainly based on the "Tafhim al-Qur'an - The Meaning of the Qur'an" by one of the most enlightened scholars of the Muslim World Sayyid Abul Ala Maududi.  

In addition, references of other sources which have been explored have also been given above. Those desirous of detailed explanations and tafsir (exegesis), may refer to these sites. For expansion of meaning and themes / contextual background help from ChatGPT is also taken.

Disclaimer: The material for this post has been collected from the references given above. If anyone differs with the material contained in this post, one may consult the references and their authors.  If someone has more material about the subject, he/she is most welcome to share in the comments box to make the post all encompassing.

If you like Islam: My Ultimate Decision, and to keep yourself updated on all our latest posts to know more about Islam, follow us on Facebook. You may also refer to our Facebook  Group Islam: The Ultimate Truth for more on Islam and Da'wah.

Follow @IslamUltimate

Please share this page to your friends and family members through Facebook, WhatsApp or any means on social media so that they can also be benefited by it and better understand Islam and the Qur'ān - Insha Allah (Allah Willing) you shall be blessed with the best of both worlds.

Read More

Utter losers worship others than Allah with lame excuse of being closer to Allah

Faith defines clear lines and directions of worship and devotion. That is it gives the clear direction that leads to  Allah, the One and Only One Creator of the entire universe, and the Ultimate Truth. Despite clear instructions in Qur'an to worship Allah alone and not to take humans as His associates or to find in them a way to reach Allah, for Allah is nearer to one's jugular vein and is always listening to those calling upon him.

It is utterly disturbing to see that a large section of believers, specially in some Asian countries, are misled by the pseudo religious scholars and imams not to approach Allah directly and tell them to find those who know Qur'an better to "route through them their grievances" to Allah for Allah listens to the pious and knowledgeable. This utterly tangent to the teachings of Qur'an and falls into the realm of Shirk. In fact this is what the disbelievers of Makkah did in the formatting days of Islam and would tell Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.

We share today the third verse of Surah Az-Zumar which warns the disbelievers and everyone who takes protectors beside Allah with the lame excuse of getting close to Allah. This verse reinforces the importance of exclusive devotion to Allah and warns against associating partners with Him or relying on intermediaries for spiritual closeness. It serves as a reminder that only Allah has the authority to accept or reject worship and that He will decisively address any deviations from the true path.

Surah Az-Zumar (The Troops) is the 39th chapter of the Quran. Verse 3 of this surah reads:

أَلَا لِلَّهِ ٱلدِّينُ ٱلْخَالِصُ ۚ وَٱلَّذِينَ ٱتَّخَذُوا۟ مِن دُونِهِۦٓ أَوْلِيَآءَ مَا نَعْبُدُهُمْ إِلَّا لِيُقَرِّبُونَآ إِلَى ٱللَّهِ زُلْفَىٰٓ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَحْكُمُ بَيْنَهُمْ فِى مَا هُمْ فِيهِ يَخْتَلِفُونَ ۗ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يَهْدِى مَنْ هُوَ كَـٰذِبٌۭ كَفَّارٌۭ

Indeed, sincere devotion is due ˹only˺ to Allah. As for those who take take protectors besides Allah, ˹saying,˺ “We worship them only so they may bring us closer to Allah,” surely Allah will judge between all1 regarding what they differed about. Allah certainly does not guide whoever persists in lying and disbelief.

In this verse, several important concepts are highlighted:

• Pure Monotheism: The verse emphasizes that worship should be dedicated solely to Allah, the One God. It stresses that true devotion and religious practice should be centered on the exclusive worship of Allah.
• False Intermediaries: The verse criticizes those who worship other deities or take protectors (such as idols or other beings) besides Allah. These people believe that these intermediaries will help them get closer to Allah, which is a misunderstanding of the concept of monotheism.
• Divine Judgment: The verse assures that Allah will ultimately judge between those who adhere to pure monotheism and those who deviate by worshiping intermediaries. This judgment will clarify the truth and address any discrepancies in religious practices.

As explained above, this verse highlights key themes of monotheism and the exclusive worship of Allah, and these themes are echoed throughout the Quran. Here’s a deeper look at this verse with references to similar verses:

Key Themes and Similar Verses in Qur'an

• Exclusive Worship of Allah: 
• Surah Al-Baqarah 2:163:
• "And your God is one God. There is no deity except Him, the Most Merciful, the Most Compassionate."
• This verse affirms the oneness of God and emphasizes that He alone deserves worship, aligning with the notion of pure monotheism in Surah Az-Zumar.
• Surah Al-Ikhlas 112:1-4:
• "Say, 'He is Allah, [who is] One, Allah, the Eternal Refuge. He neither begets nor is born, nor is there to Him any equivalent.'" 
• This surah reinforces the concept of Allah's unique oneness and His exclusivity in being worshiped.
• Rejection of Intermediaries
• Surah Al-Ankabut 29:17:
• "You worship instead of Allah only idols, and you only invent falsehood. Indeed, those whom you worship instead of Allah have no power to provide for you. So seek from Allah provision and worship Him and be grateful to Him. To Him you will be returned."
• This verse condemns the worship of idols and emphasizes that only Allah has the power to provide and deserves worship.
• Surah Al-Zumar 39:7: 
• "If you disbelieve – indeed, Allah is Free from need of you. He does not approve for His servants disbelief. And if you are grateful, He approves it for you. No bearer of burdens will bear the burden of another. Then to your Lord is your return, and He will inform you concerning that in which you used to differ." 
• This verse highlights Allah’s independence from His creation and asserts that He alone is worthy of gratitude and worship.
• Divine Judgment
• Surah Al-Baqarah 2:281:
• "And fear the Day when you will be returned to Allah. Then every soul will be compensated for what it earned, and they will not be treated unjustly."
• This verse speaks about the Day of Judgment when Allah will judge people according to their deeds, resonating with the assurance in Surah Az-Zumar that Allah will judge those who have deviated from true monotheism.
• Surah Al-Ankabut 29:69:
• "And those who strive for Us – We will surely guide them to Our ways. And indeed, Allah is with the doers of good."
• This verse underscores that Allah will guide those who sincerely strive towards Him and will be the ultimate judge of their intentions and actions.

Hadiths attributed to Prophet on the same theme:

• Hadith on Monotheism:

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) emphasized the importance of monotheism in numerous hadiths. For instance, he said, “Whoever says ‘There is no god but Allah’ and dies on that, will enter Paradise”. This hadith underscores the centrality of declaring Allah’s oneness and worshiping Him alone.

• Hadith on Shirk (Associating Partners with Allah):

The Prophet Muhammad said, “The most grievous sin is to associate partners with Allah, to kill a soul which Allah has forbidden except for a just cause, and to be disobedient to one's parents”. This highlights the severity of shirk (associating partners with Allah) and aligns with the Quranic teaching in Surah Az-Zumar 39:3 about the exclusive right of Allah to be worshiped.

• Hadith on Intercessors:

The Prophet Muhammad clarified that no one can intercede on behalf of another without Allah’s permission. He said, “No one can intercede with Allah except with His permission”. This aligns with the Quranic verse which addresses the false belief that intermediaries can bring people closer to Allah. In Islam, intercession is only possible with Allah’s permission, and it does not contradict the fundamental belief in Allah’s sole right to be worshiped.

• Hadith on Idolatry and Intermediaries:

In a hadith recorded in Sahih Muslim, the Prophet Muhammad said, “Avoid the seven destructive sins.” The companions asked, “O Messenger of Allah, what are they?” He replied, “Shirk (associating partners with Allah), magic, killing a soul which Allah has forbidden except in justice, consuming interest, consuming the property of an orphan, fleeing from the battlefield, and slandering chaste, innocent women” (Sahih Muslim 89). This hadith reinforces the rejection of any practice that involves associating partners with Allah or relying on intermediaries for worship.

• Hadith on Judgment Day:

The Prophet Muhammad taught that on the Day of Judgment, Allah will judge every individual based on their deeds. He said, “Allah will keep His servant under His shade on the Day when there is no shade but His”. This reinforces the idea that Allah alone will judge people and will address any deviations in worship or belief, consistent with Surah Az-Zumar 39:3.

• Hadith on Accountability:

The Prophet Muhammad also said, “The first matter that the servant will be questioned about on the Day of Judgment is the prayer. If it is correct, then the rest of his actions will be correct; and if it is defective, then the rest of his actions will be defective”. This hadith emphasizes personal accountability and aligns with the Quranic principle that Allah will judge the sincerity and correctness of worship.

The verse of Surah Az-Zumar stated above in the light of other shared verses from Qur'an and Hadiths thus emphasizes the importance of worshiping Allah alone and condemns the use of intermediaries in religious practice. Similar verses throughout the Quran reinforce these concepts by affirming Allah’s exclusive right to worship, rejecting the worship of false deities, and assuring divine judgment on the Day of Resurrection.

Let us not derail us from the Sirat al-Mustaqim "الصراط المستقيم"  (the Straight Path) as shown to us through Qur'an and many a Hadith of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. Let us not fall into the trap of the Satan and evil forces that takes us away from Allah and then urging us to protectors other than Allah to reach Him. This is pure shirk and has no place in Islam. We worship only and only One True God, we call Allah in Islam. 

May Allāh (سبحانه و تعالى‎) help us understand Qur'ān and follow the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, which is embodiment of commandments of Allah contained in the Qur'ān. May Allah help us to be like the ones He loves and let our lives be lived helping others and not making others' lives miserable or unlivable. May all our wrong doings, whether intentional or unintentional, be forgiven before the angel of death knocks on our door. 

وَمَا عَلَيۡنَاۤ اِلَّا الۡبَلٰغُ الۡمُبِيۡنُ‏ 

(36:17) and our duty is no more than to clearly convey the Message.”

That is Our duty is only to convey to you the message that Allah has entrusted us with. Then it is for you to accept it or reject it. We have not been made responsible for making you accept it forcibly, and if you do not accept it, we shall not be seized in consequence of your disbelief, you will yourselves be answerable for your actions on Day of Resurrection.

Reading the Qur'ān should be a daily obligation of a Muslim - Reading it with translation will make it meaningful. But reading its Exegesis / Tafsir will make you understand it fully. It will also help the Muslims to have grasp over social issues and their answers discussed in the Qur'an and other matter related to inter faith so that they are able to discuss issues with non-Muslims with authority based on refences from Qur'an.

May Allah forgive me if my posts ever imply a piety far greater than I possess. I am most in need of guidance.

Please refer to our exclusive reference pages: 

• Who are the Utter Losers (in worldly life and the Hereafter) in the light of Qur'an and help for more verses on the subject.
• Please refer to our Reference Page: Understanding Shirk - Grave sin of Associating Partners with Allah to know about Shirk and why it is the unpardonable act by Allah

In addition, for more Selected Verses, please refer to our reference page: Selected Verses from the Qur'an. You may also refer to our Reference Pages and Understanding Al Qur'an for knowing more about Islam and Qur'ān.

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What is the Reality of Shirk - the sin of idolatry or polytheism (Scholars' Viewpoint)

The essence of all Divine religions was based on monotheism - the worship of one true God as against all man-made religions which had made many gods and made their images and sculptures and take them as their saviour and protector. Unfortunately, adulteration crept into Christianity wherein they declared Prophet Eesa (Jesus, peace be upon him) as son of God and thus a god at par with the real and only one true God. 

In Islam, the deification or worship of anyone or anything besides Allah is called Shirk (Arabic: شرك širk) - the sin of idolatry or polytheism. In Islam Shirk is considered a great unpardonable sin and those who indulge in this practice SHALL NOT be pardoned on the Day of Judgement and their permanent abode will be the blazing fire of hell.

In the 13th verse of Surah 31 Luqman, Allah tells us how Luqman advised his son against Shirk:

Luqman's full name was Luqman bin `Anqa' bin Sadun, and his son's name was Tharan, according to a saying quoted by As-Suhayli. Allah describes him in the best terms, and states that he granted him wisdom. Luqman advised his son, the closest and most beloved of all people to him, who deserved to be given the best of his knowledge. So, Luqman started by advising him to worship Allah Alone, and not to associate anything with Him.

وَاِذۡ قَالَ لُقۡمٰنُ لِا بۡنِهٖ وَهُوَ يَعِظُهٗ يٰبُنَىَّ لَا تُشۡرِكۡ بِاللّٰهِ ؕ اِنَّ الشِّرۡكَ لَـظُلۡمٌ عَظِيۡمٌ‏ 

(31:13) And call to mind when Luqman said to his son while exhorting him: “Son! Do not associate partners with God. In reality, polytheism is a great injustice.” 

Eminent scholar Sayyid Abul Ala Maududi  explaining this verse notes that:

This particular admonition from the wisdom of Luqman has been cited here for two reasons: (1) He gave this admonition to his son, and obviously, no one can be insincere to one's own children. A person may deceive others, may behave hypocritically towards them, but no one, not even a most depraved person, will try to deceive and defraud his own children. Therefore, Luqman's admonishing his son thus is a clear proof of the fact that in his sight shirk was indeed the most heinous sin, and for that very reason he first admonished his dear son to refrain from this iniquity. (2) The second reason for this narration is that many parents from among the disbelievers of Makkah were compelling their children to turn away from the message of Tauhid being preached by the Holy Prophet Muhammad (upon whom be Allah's peace) and remain steadfast on the creed of shirk, as is being stated in the following verses. Therefore, those foolish people are being told, as if to say, The well-known sage of your own land had wished his children well by admonishing thetas to avoid shirk, now you should judge it for yourself whether you are wishing your children well or ill when you compel them to follow the same creed of shirk." 

Zulm means to deprive someone of his right and to act unjustly. Shirk is a grave iniquity because man sets up such beings as equals with his Creator and Providence and Benefactor as have no share whatever in creating him, nor in providing for him, nor in bestowing the blessings on him, which he is enjoying in the world. There could be no greater injustice than this. The Creator's right on man is that he should worship Him alone, but he worships others and so deprives Him of His right. Then, in whatever he does in connection with the worship of others than Allah, he exploits many things, from his own mind and body to the earth and heavens, whereas, all these things have been created by Allah, the One. and man has no right to use any of them in the worship of any other than Allah Then, the right of man's own self on him is that he should not debase and involve it in punishment. But when he worships others than his Creator. he debases himself as well as makes it deserving of the punishment. Thus, the entire life of a mushrik becomes Zulm in every aspect and at all times and his every breath becomes an expression of injustice and iniquity.

At many other places in Qur'an, mankind is forbidden to associate anyone with One True God for none can ever equate the power, wisdom, justice and ability to create of monotheist God, Muslims call Allah. Instead of quoting more references from Qur'an on the reality and sin of shirk, we have selected a mind-blowing lecture by the eminent Muslim scholar Dr Israr Ahmed. Dr. Israr Ahmad, (1975–2002) was a Pakistani Islamic theologian, philosopher, and Islamic scholar who was followed particularly in South Asia as well as by South Asian Muslims in the Middle East, Western Europe, and North America.

Please listen to the lecture on the Reality of Shirk to really understand the reality of shirk and must try your best not even skirt pass this unpardonable sin ever in your life:

وَمَا عَلَيۡنَاۤ اِلَّا الۡبَلٰغُ الۡمُبِيۡنُ‏ 

(36:17) and our duty is no more than to clearly convey the Message.”

That is our duty to convey only to you the message that Allah has entrusted us with. Then it is for you to accept it or reject it. We have not been made responsible for making you accept it forcibly, and if you do not accept it, we shall not be seized in consequence of your disbelief, you will yourselves be answerable for your actions on Day of Resurrection.

May Allāh (سبحانه و تعالى‎) help us understand Qur'ān and help us to act upon the commandments of Allah contained therein. May Allah help us to be like the ones He loves and let our lives be lived helping others and not making others' lives miserable or unlivable. May all our wrong doings, whether intentional or unintentional, be forgiven before the angel of death knocks on our door. 

May Allah forgive me if my posts ever imply a piety far greater than I possess. I am most in need of guidance.

Disclaimer: The views expressed in the video above are those of the scholar concerned. We have shared this view as added information in better understanding of Islam. The reader may or may not agree with the view owing to their own perception. If anyone differs with the material contained in this post, one may consult the references and their authors.  If someone has more material about the subject, he/she is most welcome to share in the comments box to make the post all encompassing.

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Please refer to our Reference Page: Understanding Shirk - Grave sin of Associating Partners with Allah to know about Shirk and why it is the unpardonable act by Allah

For more Scholarly views and videos, please read our reference page: Scholars' Viewpoint on Important Issues Related to Islam. You may also refer to our Reference Pages for knowing more about Islam and Quran.

If you like Islam: My Ultimate Decision, and to keep yourself updated on all our latest posts to know more about Islam, follow us on Facebook

Follow @IslamUltimate

Please share this page to your friends and family members through Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp or any means on social media so that they can also be benefited by it and better understand Islam and the Holy Qur'an - Insha Allah (Allah Willing) you shall be blessed with the best of both worlds.

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Selected Verses from Quran: The Sin of Shirk - Associating Partners with God

Shirk " شرك " an Arabic word meaning "the deification or worship of anyone or anything besides One True God."  Shirk is polytheism, the outright negation of monotheism. It is for this reason, shirk is the most disliked thing by the Almighty Allah, despite He being the Most Merciful and immensely Forgiving.

In the Qur'an, there are many verses that very clearly state that God does not share His powers with any partner and warns those who believe their idols or worldly deities will intercede for them that they, together with the worldly deities, will become fuel for hellfire on the Day of Judgment. In the following verse 33 taken from Surah 13 Ra'ad, the man has been cautioned against committing shirk:

اَفَمَنۡ هُوَ قَآئِمٌ عَلٰى كُلِّ نَفۡسٍۢ بِمَا كَسَبَتۡ​ۚ وَجَعَلُوۡالِلّٰهِ شُرَكَآءَ ؕ قُلۡ سَمُّوۡهُمۡ​ؕ اَمۡ تُنَـبِّـئُـوْنَهٗ بِمَا لَا يَعۡلَمُ فِى الۡاَرۡضِ اَمۡ بِظَاهِرٍ مِّنَ الۡقَوۡلِؕ بَلۡ زُيِّنَ لِلَّذِيۡنَ كَفَرُوۡا مَكۡرُهُمۡ وَصُدُّوۡا عَنِ السَّبِيۡلِ​ؕ وَمَنۡ يُّضۡلِلِ اللّٰهُ فَمَا لَهٗ مِنۡ هَادٍ‏ 

"Is it, then, in regard to Him Who watches over the deeds of every person that they are acting blasphemously by setting up His associates? Tell them: "Name those associates (if Allah Himself has made them His associates)! Or are you informing Allah of something the existence of which He does not even know?" Or do people arbitrarily utter empty words? Indeed, their foul contriving has been made to seem fair to the unbelievers and they have been barred from finding the Right Way. Whomsoever Allah lets go astray will have none to guide him."

That is, the disbelievers are so audacious that they set up partners with Allah Whose knowledge is All-Comprehensive and Who is aware of even the minutest details of the good and bad actions of each individual. These are the audacious things they do. They ascribe partners and equals to Him. They believe that some of His creatures are a part and parcel of His Being, and have attributes and rights like Him. They presume that they shall not be called to account for whatever they do, even though they live in His kingdom.

You give empty names to the partners you ascribe to Him for you have no real knowledge about them. For you could get this knowledge only in one of the three following ways.

• First, you might have received some authentic information that Allah had made such and such people as His partners in His attributes, powers and rights. If it is so, let us also know their names and the source of your information.
• Second, the possibility that Allah might have remained ignorant that some beings have become His partners. Therefore you are going to inform Him about this. If it is so, say it clearly in so many words so that it may be decided whether there are some foolish people who can believe in such a nonsensical claim.
• Third, obviously the above two suppositions are absurd. Therefore the only alternative is that, you are ascribing partners to Him without any rhyme or reason, and you, without any knowledge, make one the relative of God, another the hearer of supplications, and still another the helper and fulfiller of certain needs and the ruler of a certain region etc.

Shirk has been called fraud because none of the angels, spirits, saints, heavenly bodies, to whom they ascribe divine attributes and powers or render divine rights, ever claimed to possess these attributes or powers. Neither did they ever demand these rights from the people nor told the people that they would fulfill their desires and wants if they would perform some rituals of worship before them. As a matter of fact, some clever people invented these gods in order to practice willful deception and dishonesty so that they might wield powerful influence over the common people and exploit them and deprive them of a part of their hard earned possessions. Accordingly, they made the common people credulous followers of the gods of their inventions and set themselves up as their representatives to get money, etc. from them by this fraud.

The second reason why shirk has been called fraud is that a worldly man pretends to believe in it not because he wants to believe in it but in order to free himself from all moral restraints to enable him to lead an irresponsible life of greed and lust.

In Surah 12. Yusuf, verse 40 Allah warns yet again:

'You have but to name your false gods, and you will see that they are nothing but names. There is no reality behind them, whereas Allah is the One great Reality. He penetrates everything through and through and knows all things. Do you dare to tell Him of something on earth that He does not know? Or is it just a trick or a show of words?

All pretenses and fancies seem attractive to their inventors, but alas! They are a great obstruction to the Path of Religion and Truth. However, if by their contumacy, they have cut themselves off from Allah's grace, who can guide them or reclaim them from their errors?

Here in the verse 36 of Surah Ar'ad, the mention is made of the people who were earlier given Divine Scriptures and yet they associated others with God not only as partners and associates but as equals:

( 36 )   And [the believers among] those to whom We have given the [previous] Scripture rejoice at what has been revealed to you, [O Muhammad], but among the [opposing] factions are those who deny part of it. Say, "I have only been commanded to worship Allah and not associate [anything] with Him. To Him I invite, and to Him is my return."

This is in reply to a specific objection which was then raised by the disbelievers. They would say: If he has brought the same message that was brought by the Messengers before him (as he claims), why don’t the Jews and the Christians who are the followers of the former Prophets come forward and welcome it? The verse answers the objection and says that the true followers of the former Prophets really rejoice in the message of the Quran, but the false ones have been offended by it. Then it asks the Prophet (peace be upon him) not to worry at all about this, saying: O Prophet, you should not mind at all whether they are pleased or offended by it. Tell them plainly that this is the guidance I have received from my Lord and I will follow it at all costs.

Among all sections of the people there are persons who would receive a portion of Allah's truth but reject whatever does not suit them or fall in with their selfish aims or vain desires. The proper answer to them is: Surely, Allah's command is universal,-to worship and serve Him and refuse to bend the knee to any other; the man of God finds his staff and support in it; but he must invite all to share in its blessings; it came from Allah, and to Allah shall we all return.

In Surah 9 At Tauba, verse 31, a more specific mention of people is made who associate others with Allah:

اِتَّخَذُوۡۤا اَحۡبَارَهُمۡ وَرُهۡبَانَهُمۡ اَرۡبَابًا مِّنۡ دُوۡنِ اللّٰهِ وَالۡمَسِيۡحَ ابۡنَ مَرۡيَمَ​ ۚ وَمَاۤ اُمِرُوۡۤا اِلَّا لِيَـعۡبُدُوۡۤا اِلٰهًا وَّاحِدًا​ ۚ لَاۤ اِلٰهَ اِلَّا هُوَ​ ؕ سُبۡحٰنَهٗ عَمَّا يُشۡرِكُوۡنَ‏ 

“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 the Torah and the Gospel) to worship none but One Ilâh (God i.e., Allah), Lâ ilâha illâ Huwa (none has the right to be worshiped but He). Praise and Glory be to Him, (far above is He) from having the partners they associate (with Him).”

“They have taken their rabbis and monks as their lords”. The Prophet (peace be upon him) himself explained its true significance. According to a tradition, when Adi bin Hatim (may Allah be pleased with him), who was formerly a Christian, came to the Prophet (peace be upon him) with the intention of understanding Islam, he asked several questions in order to remove his doubts. One of these was: “This verse accuses us of taking our scholars and monks as our lords. What is its real meaning. For we do not take them as our lords.”

As a reply to this, the Prophet (peace be upon him) put him a counter question: “Is it not a fact that you accept as unlawful what they declare to be unlawful, and lawful what they declare to be lawful?” Adi confessed, “Yes, it is so.” The Prophet (peace be upon him) replied, “This amounts to making them your lords.” Incidentally, this tradition shows that those who themselves set limits to the lawful and the unlawful without the authority of Allah’s Book, assume for themselves the rank of godhead, and those who acknowledge their right of making laws take them as their lords.

It should be noted that they have been charged with (a) attributing sons to Allah, and (b) giving the right of making laws to others than Allah. These are to prove that their claim that they believed in Allah is false, even though they should believe in His existence. But such a wrong conception of Allah makes their belief in Allah meaningless.

And here comes the plain warning:

اِنَّ اللّٰهَ لَا يَغۡفِرُ اَنۡ يُّشۡرَكَ بِهٖ وَيَغۡفِرُ مَا دُوۡنَ ذٰ لِكَ لِمَنۡ يَّشَآءُ​ ۚ وَمَنۡ يُّشۡرِكۡ بِاللّٰهِ فَقَدِ افۡتَـرٰۤى اِثۡمًا عَظِيۡمًا‏  

"Surely Allah does not forgive that a partner be ascribed to Him, although He forgives any other sins for whomever He wills. He who associates anyone with Allah in His divinity has indeed forged a mighty lie and committed an awesome sin." (4:48) 

Shirk thus is  the most unforgivable crime if it remains unpardoned before death: Allah may forgive any sin if one dies in that state except for committing shirk. Owing to the gravity of associating partners with Allah, shirk became legally equivalent to kufr (unbelief ) in fiqh (Islāmic jurisprudence), Those Muslims who profess it are considered outlaws who should be ousted from the Muslim community; all their legal rights are suspended until they denounce their polytheistic beliefs.

May Allah help us understand Qur'an and help us to act upon the commandments of Allah contained therein. Aameen.

For more Selected Verses, please refer to our reference page: Selected Verses from the Qur'an

You may also refer to our Reference Pages for knowing more about Islam and Quran.

Photo | References : | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |

Reading the Holy Quran should be a daily obligation of a Muslim - Reading it with translation will make it meaningful. But reading its Exegesis / Tafsir will make you understand it fully.

An effort has been made to gather explanation / exegesis of the Sūrahs of the Holy Qur'an from authentic sources and then present a least possible condensed explanation of the surah. In that:

• The plain translation has been taken from the Holy Quran officially published by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. 
• The exegesis of the chapters of the Holy Quran is mainly based on the "Tafhim al-Qur'an - The Meaning of the Qur'an" by one of the most enlightened scholars of the Muslim World Sayyid Abul Ala Maududi. 

In order to augment and add more explanation as already provided, additional input has been interjected from following sources: 

• Exegesis by Maulana Mufti Muhammad Sharif, revised by Justice Mufti Muhammad Taqi  Usmani
• Verse by Verse Qur'an Study Circle
• Tafsir Ibn Khatir
• Al-Quran, Yusuf Ali Translation
• Javed Ahmad Ghamidi / Al Mawrid

In addition the references of  other sources which have been explored have also been given in each page. Those desirous of detailed explanations and tafsir (exegesis), may refer to these sites.

If you like Islam: My Ultimate Decision, and to keep yourself updated on all our latest posts to know more about Islam, follow us on Facebook

Follow @IslamUltimate

Please share this page to your friends and family members through Facebook, WhatsApp or any means on Social Media so that they can also be benefited by it and better understand Islam and the Holy Qur'an - Insha Allah (Allah Willing) you shall be blessed with the best of both worlds.

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