Shirk is divided into two categories:
1. Major Shirk
2. Minor Shirk
1. MAJOR SHIRK (MAJOR POLYTHEISM)
It necessitates the failure of deeds and remaining forever in the Hell-fire as per Qur’anic account. “But if they have joined in worship others with Allah, what they used to do would have been of no benefit to them”. Ch.6: V.88. Allah says, “It is not for the Mushrikun (polytheist, idolaters, pagans, disbelievers in the Oneness of Allah), to maintain the Mosques of Allah (i.e. to pray and worship Allah therein, to look after their cleanliness and their building etc.,), while they witness against their own selves of disbelief. The works of such are in vain and in Fire shall they abide. Ch.9 V.17.
Whoever dies in a state of Shirk, will not be forgiven and will not be allowed into Paradise, pursuant to God saying, “ Verily Allah forgives not (the sign of) setting up partners in worship with Him but He forgives, whom He Pleases, sins other than that.” Ch.4: V.116 and Allah says: “ Verily whosoever sets up partners in worship with Allah then Allah Has Forbidden Paradise for him and the Fire will be his abode; and for the Thalimoon (polytheists and wrong-doers) there are no helpers.” Ch.5: V.72.
Shirk categorized under this type includes calling those who are dead, praying to idols for help and for relief, pledging to them and offering animals for slaughter as a sign of obedience to them etc.,
2. MINOR SHIRK (MINOR POLYTHEISM)
It is the type proved by the texts of Quran and Sunnah to be called Shirk, but it is not categorized under Major Shirk. Such as, hypocrisy in some deeds, to swear by those other than Allah and saying Allah Will and so and so will, and the like.
Following are some pertinent Hadeeths of our Prophet (Peace be upon him).
“What I fear most for you is the Minor Shirk”. When asked what is Minor Shirk, he said “Disguised Shirk”. Reported by Mahmoud ibn Labeed al Ansari (RAL) and narrated by Imam Ahmed, At- Tabrani, and Al-Bayhaqi.
“He who swore by something other than Allah shall be regarded as Mushrik.” Reported by Umar ibn al-Khatab (RAL) and narrated by Ahmed.
‘He who swore by other than Allah had fallen in Kufr or Shirk” reported by Ibn Umar (RAL) and narrated by Abu Dawood and At-Tirmidhi.
“Do not say Allah wills (ordains), and so and so (too) wills, but say that Allah wills (ordains), and then so and so wills.” Reported by Huthayfah ibn al Yaman (RAL) and narrated by Abu Dawood.
This type of Shirk (i.e. Minor Shirk) does not necessitate apostasy of remaining in Hell fire, but it lacks the perfection of the obligatory Tauheed.
DISGUISED SHIRK
Disguised Shirk may fall into both types i.e. Major Shirk and minor Shirk. It may fall in the major Shirk such as ‘the Shirk of hypocrites’, because they conceal their bad faith and pretend to be Muslims to cover themselves.
Disguised Shirk may also fall in the category of minor Shirk such as “Riya“, (to do good deeds or beautify them to be seen by men) as stated in the following Hadeeth of Mahmoud ibn Labeed al Ansaari (RAL)
Its proof is the saying of Prophet (Peace be upon him). “ May I tell you of what I fear very much, that might harm you more than Al-Masih aad-Dajjal?” (the False Messiah) The audience said, “Yes, Prophet of Allah”. He said, “The disguised Shirk...when a
man gets up to pray and strives to beautify his prayer, because people are looking at him.” reported by Abi Sa’eed al Khudri and narrated by Imam Ahmed in his Musnad.
May Allah Grant us the success in escaping from these dangers.
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