Understanding Islam - Shirk

Literally: In Arabic shirk means Partnership, Sharing or Associating

Islamic Terminology: Assigning partners with Allah (swt) in whatever form it may take

Major Shirk

1)

2)

[16:36] We have sent a messenger to every community, saying, "You shall worship Allah, and avoid idolatry." Subsequently, some were guided by Allah, while others were committed to straying. Roam the earth and note the consequences for the rejecters.

[51:56] I did not create the jins and the humans except to worship Me alone

3)

(31:13) And (remember) when Luqmaan said to his son when he was advising him: "O my son! Do no join others in worship with Allah. Surely, joining others with Allah in worship is a great injustice".

4)

The prophet of Allah (peace be upon him said): " the most and greatest of the sin is to commit shirk with Allah". (Bukhari, Muslim)

5)

When Messenger (pbuh) was asked what is the greatest sin. He replied the most severe sin is that you set up deities besides Allah while He has created you.
(Bukhari, Muslim)

Other evidences from the Holy Qur'an

(ch4 v38) (ch4 v48) (ch5 v72) (ch18 v26) (ch18 v110) (ch22 v31) (ch7 v190)
(ch7 v191)

Minor Shirk

1) The Messenger of Allah (Peace be upon him) said:

i) The thing I fear for you the most is al- shirk al- asghar (minor shirk). The companions asked "O messenger of Allah, what is minor shirk?" He replied (pbuh) "showing off (Riya)"

ii) He (peace be upon him) said: "When a person gets up to pray and strives to beautify his prayer because people are looking at him, that is secret shirk".

Lecture (2) delivered by Shaykh Ghulam Rabbani on Thursday 1st May 2008
Compiled by Faizan-e-Islam Youth League Manchester and London