TERM 3 - TAwheed - CLASS 1
DANGERS & CATEGORIES OF SHIRK
The study of Tawhid cannot be considered complete without careful analysis of its opposite, SHIRK.This is because we will not be able to understand or appreciate any concept without studying the opposite of this concept. For example, if you want to understand the importance of Sunnah, you will have to understand the dangers of Bid’ah. So if you want to understand the importance of Tawheed, one of the ways is to understand the dangers of Shirk. If you want to make sure that you die upon Tawheed, one of the ways to achieve that is to study the classifications and types of Shirk.
So we should know that the knowledge of evil is one of the goals that the sharee’ah wants us to learn. Allah Subhanahu wa Ta’ala says;
“Thus do We explain the signs in detail: that the way of the sinners may be shown up.” [Al-Anaam 6:55]
That is why Hudhaifa ibn al-Yammaan radhiyAllahu ‘anhu used to say;
“My companions used to learn the good, while I used to learn the evil.’ It was said to him, ‘What made you do such a thing?’ He said, ‘Whoever learns the place where evil is will avoid it.’ [An-Nasaa’ee, Kitaab-ul-‘Ilm, No. 74]
Therefore the knowledge of evil is a fundamental principle of our ‘aqeedah. Not to fall in to it, not to obey it, but beware of it! To know that it exists and to know the tactics that are needed in order to avoid falling in to this evil!
The Definition of Shirk:
Every single word used in the Sharee’ah has a relationship with the linguistic meaning. For example, Zakaah linguistically means ‘purification’, so we know that the Zakaah that we pay purifies our money.
Linguistically: Comes from the three letter root: Shaa Raa Kaaf, which means not be alone, or to have more than one. So that is why linguistically a partner is called ‘shareek’, and a company is called ‘Shurakaa’, because it is composed of a group of partners. So linguistically, Shaa-Raa-Kaa comes from the meaning which means ‘not be alone’, the opposite of ‘one’.
The Shar’ee (Legal) Definition: To make a partner along with Allah Subhanahu wa Ta’ala.
And the proofs for this definition are found in the Qur’an and Sunnah.
“…Then set not up rivals unto Allah when ye know (the truth).” [Al Baqara 2:22]
The Dangers of Shirk
1. It is resembling the creatures with the Creator in terms of the attributes of Divinity, for he who ascribes a partner to Allah; he in effect resembles him with Him (Allah). This is the gravest injustice. Allah says: "Verily, Shirk is gross injustice." [Soorah Luqman (31): 13] Injustice signifies putting a thing in a wrong place. Thus, he who worships other than Allah, he places the worship in a place other than its own, and dedicates it to one who does not deserve it; hence, it is gross injustice.
2. Allah has stated that He does not forgive the one who does now disavow Shirk. He says:
"Surely, Allah will not forgive (the sins of) ascribing partners to Him, but He will forgive whatever is short of that to whoever He wishes." [Soorah an-Nisa (4): 48]
3. Allah has stated that a Mushrik (one who commits Shirk) shall be banned from Jannah (Paradise) and that he shall live in Hell-fire forever. Allah, the Exalted, says: "Surely, whoever ascribes a partner to Allah, Allah shall bar him from Jannah and Hell-fire shall be his abode, and the wrongdoers shall have no helpers." [Soorah al-Maidah (5): 72]
4. Shirk nullifies all good deeds. Allah, the Exalted, says: "Were they to commit Shirk, then the good deeds, which they accomplish, would have been nullified." [Soorah al-Anam (6): 88] And Allah says: "It has been revealed to you and to those before you, if you commit Shirk your good deeds shall be nullified and you shall certainly be of the losers." [Soorah az-Zumar (39): 65]
5. The Shirk is the graves of all major sins. The Messenger of Allah (salallahu alaihe wa-sallam) said:"Shall I inform you about the graves of all major sins?" We (Sahabah) said: "Certainly, O Messenger of Allah." He said: "Ascribing partners to Allah, and disobeying parents."
Ibn al-Qayyim said: "Allah has asserted that the purpose of the creation and the commands is that He should be recognized by His Names and Attributes and be worshiped alone, with no partners ascribed to Him, and that people should maintain justice through which the heavens and the earths were established. Allah, the Exalted, says: "Verily, We sent Our Messengers with clear proofs, and sent down with them the Book and the Balance (justice) that people may establish justice." [Soorah al-Hadid (57): 25]
Allah informed us that He sent the Messengers and revealed the Books for people to establish justice.The greatest form of justice is Tawheed, which is its spearhead and backbone, and Shirk is injustice. Allah says: "Surely, Shirk is the greatest Zulm (wrong) indeed." [Soorah Luqman (31): 13]
6. Shirk is the gravest form of injustice, and Tawheed is the best form of justice. Hence, whatever opposes this purpose most is considered as the gravest of all major sins. Ibn al-Qayyim went on to say: "And since Shirk in particular opposes that purpose, it is absolutely the gravest of all major sins,… Allah, Glory be to Him, neither accepts a good deed performed by a Mushrik, not an intercession made in his favor. He does not respond to his supplication, or accepts his hope for having it fulfilled. The Mushrik is the most ignorant of Allah for setting a rival from creatures to the One Who created them, which is the worst type of ignorance and the worst type of injustice on the part of the Mushrik. Even though the Mushrik does not wrong his Rabb (Lord) by his Shirk, but in reality he wrongs his own self."
7. Shirk is defaming and derogatory from which Allah declared Himself far removed. He who ascribes a partner to Allah, he in effect asserts to Allah what Allah declares Himself free from, and this is the worst form of opposition and defiance to Allah, the Exalted.
The Categories of Shirk
1. Shirk in Rububiyah
Shirk by association
Shirk by Negation
2. Shirk in al-Asma’ was-Sifat
Shirk by humanization
Shirk by deification
3. Shirk in Ibadah (Uloohiyyah)
Ash-Shirk al-Akbar (Major Shirk)
Ash Shirk al-Asghar (Minor Shirk)
InshaAllah we will study the Categories of Shirk in detail as the course progresses.
Note : TERM 3 means LEVEL 3, so new students need to join TERM 1 - pass it to get to TERM 2 and then onwards InShaAllah, so you are free to read this if you have time but tests should only be of the respective TERM and certificates are only given one TERM after the other. JazakAllah Khair
TIPS FOR THE TEST
Do not have to memorize the Ayahs & ahadeeth word for word but get a good understanding about what it means and the message in it.
Remember about Slander.
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