Shirk (polytheism)
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Shirk (Arabic: شرك) is the Islamic concept of the sin of polytheism specifically, but in a more general way refers to serving anything other than the One God; i.e. wealth, lust, the ego, etc. It is the vice which is opposed to the virtue of tawhid, literally "declaring [that which is] one", often translated into the English theological term "monotheism." The word is not related to the English verb "shirk" related to neglect.
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[edit] Etymology
The word shirk is derived from the Arabic root Š-R-K (ش ر ك). This consonantal root has the general meaning of "to share" (A. A. Nadwi, Vocabulary of the Qur'an). In the context of the Qur'an, the particular sense of "sharing as an equal partner" is usually understood, so that polytheism is "attributing a partner to God". In the Qur'an shirk and the related word (plural Stem IV active participle) mushrikun (مشركون) "those who commit shirk" often clearly refers to the enemies of Islam (as in verse 9.5) but sometimes it also refers to erring Muslims (verse 6.122).
[edit] Definition
Shirk is defined in various ways.
[edit] Qur'an
When the Qur'an describes shirk it frequently seems to be referring to and disparaging the Christian belief in the divinity of Jesus (4:171). Islamic commentators on the Qur'an have emphasized that pre-Islamic Arabic idolatry made a number of godlings (most memorably the three goddesses al-Manāt, al-Lāt and ˤUzzā) equal associates of God (as the Qur'an discusses in the 53rd surat) and the word mushrikun is often translated into English as polytheists. Other forms of shirk include the worship of wealth and other material objects. This is pointed in the Qur'an in one of the story of the Children of Israel, when they take calf made of gold for worship (7:148-150). Yet another form of shirk is to revere a leader (religious or not) beyond limits, as mentioned in (9:31).
[edit] Theology
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In a theological context one commits shirk by associating some lesser being with God (Arabic:Allah). This sin is committed if one imagines that there is some other spirit than God whom it is suitable to worship. Many Islamic theologians extend the sense of worship to include praying to some other being to intercede with God on one's behalf, rather than taking one's case to God Himself. The limits of the concept of worship are quite elastic and theologians often describe excessive veneration of some artifact here on earth as shirk.
Atheism is described as shirk because it denies the position of God as the unique creator and sustainer of the universe (tawhid ar-rububiyya, the unity of creation). In the same way, the act of shirk is extended to include such things as the notion that God possesses humanlike anthropomorphic qualities as well as acts of worship or piety whose inward goal is pride, caprice, or a desire for public admiration.
Shirk is regarded in Islamic thought to be the worst injustice, sin, or wrong-doing a person can commit.
Abu Malik commented on the Quranic passage:
[وَالْفِتْنَةُ أَشَدُّ مِنَ الْقَتْلِ]
(And Al-Fitnah is worse than killing.) Meaning what you (disbelievers) are committing is much worse than killing. Abu Al-`Aliyah, Mujahid, Sa`id bin Jubayr, `Ikrimah, Al-Hasan, Qatadah, Ad-Dahhak and Ar-Rabi` bin Anas said that what Allah said:
[edit] Categories of Shirk
Derived from the Qur'an and the Prophetic tradition(Sunnah), there are 4 main categories of Shirk in Islam.
1. Shirk in Rubūbīyah (Lordship)
This category of Shirk refers to either the belief that others share God's Lordship over creation as His equal or near equal, or to the belief that there exists no Lord over creation at all.
(A) Shirk by Association
This is the shirk concerned with associating 'others' with God. 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 God can cause. some wahabi cults use this word against shia muslims claiming that 'they worship at the graves of the imams (religious leaders) or call upon them for aid'. these claims are dismissed as slander and distortions as shias point out many of the graves are inside mosques where all muslims go to pray (to God alone), they strongly dispel the "slanderous claims that they pray to these imams or actually ask them for help- calling the names of these saint like figures is an expression of love not worship just as all muslims cry O'muhammed in and expression of admiration." they also argue that such wahabi groups base their cult like teachings on defaming or fauging false narrations against shias, hoping to indoctrinate sunnis.
(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).
2. Shirk in al-Asma was-Sifat (the Names and Attributes of God)
Shirk in this category includes both the common pagan practice of giving God the attributes of His creation as well as the act of giving created beings God's names and attributes.
(A) Shirk by Humanization
In this aspect of Shirk in al-Asma was-Sifat, God 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.
(B) Shirk by Deification
This form of Shirk in al-Asma was-Sifat relates to cases where created beings or things are given or claim God'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 God. Their main three idols were: al-Lat taken from God's name al-Elah, al-'Uzza taken from al-'Aziz and al-Manat taken from al-Mannan. During the Prophet Muhammad's era there was also a man in a region of Arabia called Yamamah, who claimed to be a prophet and took the name Rahman which, in Islam, belongs only to God.
3. Shirk In al-'Ibadah (Worship)
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-'Ebadah 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 God. It represents the most obvious form of idolatry which the prophets were specifically sent by God to call the masses of mankind away from.
(B) Ash-Shirk al-Asghar (Minor Shirk):
- Minor Shirk
- Mahmud ibn Lubayd reported, "God's messenger (peace be upon him) said: "The thing I fear for you the most is ash-Shirk al-Asghar (minor shirk)." The companions asked "Oh! messenger of God, what is minor Shirk?" He replied "Ar-Riya (showing off), for verily God 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."
- Secret Shirk
- Mahmud ibn Lubayd also said, "The Prophet (peace be upon him) came out and announced, 'O people, beware of secret Shirk!' The people asked, 'O messenger of God, 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."
4. Ar-Riya
Riya is the practice 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.
