Glorified and exalted is Allaah above all the similitude and associates they fashion for Him.
A definition
Shirk in the Arabic language means sharing, partnership and association. In the Sharee'ah, it refers to giving partners to Allaah in whatever guise it may take. It is the most serious and grievous of all the things that Allaah has prohibited because the greatest of all rights that deserves to be fulfilled are the rights of Allaah.
So, if a person violates these rights, then he has violated the greatest of all rights, which is the Tawheed of Allaah. Allaah says:
"Worship Allaah alone, making all worship purely for Him, and do not associate anything in worship along with Him." (An-Nisaa [4]: 36)
The various forms:
Shirk is of two main types. The Greater Shirk - Shirkun Akbar - and the Lesser Shirk - Shirkun Asgar.
The Greater Shirk involves setting up rivals for Allaah and performing acts of worship to other than Him whether it is to a tree or stone, lilt: sun, the stars and the moon, any saint or prophet no matter his 'miracles' and angel nearest in rank to Allaah.
This form of shirk is the greatest of the great sins and its peak. This is from the statement of Allaah that:
"Indeed! The association of partners with Allaah (Shirk) is the greatest form of wrongdoing and injustice." (Luqmaan [31]:13)
The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessing be upon him) asked three times: 'Shall I not inform you of the greatest of the great sins?" The companions said: "Yes! O Messenger of Allaah." So he said:
"Associating partners with Allaah and disobedience to parents ... "(Bukhari)
The great effect
Shirk is not forgiven by Allaah in the Hereafter. If a person commits shirk and fails to repent while he is on earth, there is no forgiveness for this grave sin in the Hereafter. Allaah says:
"Verily! Allaah will not forgive the association of partners with Him, but He forgives sins lesser than that to whomever He wills." (An-Nisaa [4]: 48)
The punishment for whoever dies while been guilty of the Greater Shirk is eternal residence in the Wrath of Allaah.
- Hell Fire - far away from Allaah's Mercy and Forgiveness. How evil a place of rest and May Allaah preserve us against it. Allaah says:
"Surely! Whoever associates partners with Allaah, Allaah has made Paradise forbidden for him and his abode will be the fire." (AI-Maaidah [5]: 72).
Also, Jaabir (RA) narrated that the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessing be upon him) said:
"Whoever meets Allaah not associating anything in worship with Him will enter paradise, and whoever meets Him while associating anything in worship along with Him will enter the fire.' (Muslim)
Lesser but dangerous
As for the Lesser Shirk, it is such as Showing off and seeking fame and reputation while doing righteous act. Allaah says as a warning against it that:
"So whoever hopes for the Meeting with his Lord, let him work righteousness and associate none as a partner in the worship of his Lord. "(Kahf[18]: 110).
This form of Shirk does not make the one guilty of it an unbeliever but such occurrence is very likely, since it cannot be readily noticed. Ibn Abbaas (RA) said:
"Shirk is more hidden than a black ant creeping on a black stone in the middle of a moonless night." (Ibn Abi Haatim)
In addition, there will be no reward for such deeds 'in the hereafter. The Prophet (peace and blessing be upon him) said: "Beware of the lesser shirk!"
The people said: "0 Messenger of Allaah! And what is the lesser shirk?" He said:
"Showing off. Allaah the Most Exalted will say on the day when he would recompense the servants for their deeds: 'Go to those whom you were showing 'off your deeds in the material world and check if you will find any reward with them." (Ahmad)
This article was culled from the publications of Deen Communication Limited