The Ship that will never sink (part 4)Polytheism is the most wicked and dangerous of all sins; it is also the sin which is to be severely punished because it contradicts the foundations of Tawheed. The polytheism mentioned in the verse below connotes all forms of hidden, major and minor polytheism. Any kind of shirk will not be forgiven except through repentance because of its magnitude. It is Allah Who creates, provides sustenance, gives and favors His creations with bounties. Then how is it that our hearts turn away from Him to others? “Verily, Allah forgives not that partners should be set up with Him (in worship), but He forgives except that (anything else) to whom He wills; and whoever sets up partners with Allah in worship, he has indeed invented a tremendous sin.” (Qur'an, 4:48) Therefore, if polytheism with its various types will not be forgiven, then it must be feared so as not to fall in it, it is incumbent on every Muslim not to indulge or even acquire knowledge of its various types and forms. Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him) with his strong faith feared to get affected by Shirk for himself and his family. Thus, the obligation on us to fear Shirk is much more greater. “And (remember) when Ibrahim (Abraham) said: “O my Lord! Make this city (Makkah) one of peace and security, and keep me and my sons away from worshipping idols.” (Qur'an,14:35) The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “The thing that I fear most for you all is the minor Shirk.” He was asked about it and he said, “Ar-Riyaa” (showing off). (Imam Ahmad) The Prophet (peace be upon him) informs us in this Hadith that the thing he feared most for his Companions was minor Shirk. He knew the dangers of minor Shirk, how it can strongly manifest itself in the community, polluting the pure monotheism of Muslims, as it afflicts one unknowingly. This is why he warned them to beware of it. We, with our comparatively weak faith and little knowledge should all the more fear both, major and minor Shirk. Some types of minor Shirk are 1. Doing good deeds to show-off, that is, while praying, fasting, giving charity to seek the pleasure of other than Allah. 2. To swear by anyone other than Allah. For instance, to swear by the Prophet (peace be upon him), by the Kabah or by one's parents, and so on. 3. Other forms of hidden or minor Shirk is to use one of the following expressions — “What Allah wills and what you will”; “This is from Allah and you”; “I am, what I am because of Allah and you”; “I have no one except Allah and you”; “I place my trust in Allah and you”; “Were it not for Allah and you, such and such would not have happened.” Instead, one should say “What Allah wills and then what you will” or “This is from Allah and then from you” and so on. If one is not careful about his intentions when saying these phrases it may even become a greater form of polytheism. Greater polytheism throws one out of the fold of Islam whereas lesser polytheism does not. It is reported on the authority of Ibn Mas'ood (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said, “Whoever died while supplicating to another deity besides Allah, will enter the Fire.” (Bukhari) The Prophet informs us in this Hadith that whoever died without associating partners with Allah — either in his actions attributes or in his worship or in Allah's Names and Attributes is promised an abode in Paradise. Allah's Messenger (peace be upon him) said, “Whoever meets Allah, without associating partners with Him, will enter Paradise; and whoever meets Him as one who associated anything with Him, will enter the Fire. (Muslim) __
