Shirk

Shirk is nothing more nor less as idolatry- belief that something or someone has power in and of itself independently of Allah. Such sharing or associating partners to God and directing all forms of worship to anything other than Him is greatest act of rebellion against Lord and for that, is considered as biggest sin that won’t be forgiven:

‘Surely Allah will not forgive the association of partners (Shirk) with Him, but He forgives (sins) less than that of whomever He wishes.’
(Surah An-Nisaa, 4:48)

Kufr as a general disbelief for truth enclosed in religion, is fundamental stone of Shirk. It always starts with covering or changing Iman (belief) showed in Qur’an for sake of own convenience, that eventually leads to disbelief in God.

Idolatry can be destinguished into:

 

• major- one that expels man from his faith and is unforgivable:

• polytheism and association some people with God in belief that they are also divine or saint (like Mary, prophets)
• Atheism or Pantheism
• defining God by human characteristics and creating images of Almighty that later are being worshiped, as well as giving attributes of Creator to a mortal
• worshipping and directing prays to other than God along or instead of Him (taghoot)

• minor- that contains sins but doesn’t make one Kafir ( non-believer):

• Showing off with own worship as it change intention of one’s deeds
• Being superstitious or convinced that something can effect us negatively or positively apart from God’s Will (talismans, horoscopes, black cats, 13)

Now, why would people ever commit Shirk? Is it only lack of obedience, islamic knowledge or wrong squander of own Faith? Are there not enough proofs of God’s existence?

As a humans, we don’t even realize how fragile and lost we can be. Our spirit can collapse any time due to hardships and feeling that God doesn’t listen, but is it only our fault? Would one that feels God’s love, connection, that sees refuge in Lord, ever seek help apart from Him? It is really hard to be human, weak, with inborn inclination to err and stumble, and natural urge to be happy, to dream, love and be loved…this is how we were created…so does it really wonder that one may try anything just to get closer to Creator, to make own wishes or prays fulfilled? Is it only one’s fault to feel abandoned and forgotten? I wish I could ask directly True Source all these questions, but no matter of my thoughts or nature of my doubts, my punch line, about which I’m absolutely sure of, is: there is only one God. Nothing can ever happen with out Lord’s Will, as there’s no greater POWER than He.

 

~ by Amina on February 12, 2008.