Basics Of Islâmic Creed [3]
﷽
Q- 1 How do we define ʿIbâdah (worship)?
It is a comprehensive word comprising deeds and words that Allâh loves and is pleased with whether apparent or hidden.
This was the definition of Shaykhul Islâm Ibn Taymiyyah - رحمة الله عليه رحمة واسعة.
Q- 2 What are the conditions of ʿIbâdah?
There are two conditions of ʿIbâdah:
Sincerity to Allâh.
The action of worship must be in accordance with the Sunnah of Allâh’s Messenger i.e. to act according to his Sunnah.
One of the evidences for this is Allâhʼs statement:فَمَن كَانَ يَرْجُوا۟ لِقَآءَ رَبِّهِۦ فَلْيَعْمَلْ عَمَلًۭا صَـٰلِحًۭا وَلَا يُشْرِكْ بِعِبَادَةِ رَبِّهِۦٓ أَحَدًۢا
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
Sûrah Al-Kahf : 110
Q- 3 Where do we find the legislated acts of worship?
We find the legislated acts of worship in the Qurʾân, in the Ahadîth (narrations, hadiths) of Allâh’s Messenger (ﷺ), as well as in the lives of Sahabâh - the companions of Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ).
Q- 4 What is the greatest thing Allâh has forbidden?
The greatest thing Allâh has forbidden is Shirk (polytheism).
Allâh - ﷻ - mentioned:إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يَغْفِرُ أَن يُشْرَكَ بِهِۦ وَيَغْفِرُ مَا دُونَ ذَٰلِكَ لِمَن يَشَآءُ ۚ وَمَن يُشْرِكْ بِٱللَّهِ فَقَدْ ضَلَّ ضَلَـٰلًۢا بَعِيدًا
Verily! Allâh forgives not (the sin of) setting up partners (in worship) with Him, but He forgives whom He wills sins other than that, and whoever sets up partners in worship with Allâh, has indeed strayed far away.
(Sûrah An-Nisâ' : 116)
Q- 5 What is Shirk (polytheism)?
Shirk is to call on other than Allâh with Him. So dedicating any part of your worship is a form of Shirk. Shirk is the opposite of Tawhîd, Allâh mentioned:
وَمَآ أُمِرُوٓا۟ إِلَّا لِيَعْبُدُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ مُخْلِصِينَ لَهُ ٱلدِّينَ حُنَفَآءَ وَيُقِيمُوا۟ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ وَيُؤْتُوا۟ ٱلزَّكَوٰةَ ۚ وَذَٰلِكَ دِينُ ٱلْقَيِّمَةِ
Verily, those who disbelieve (in the religion of Islâm, the Qurʾân and Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) from among the people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians) and Al-Mushrikûn will abide in the Fire of Hell. They are the worst of creatures.
(Q. 98:5)
Q- 6 What are the types of polytheism?
There are three types of polytheism:
The greater polytheism (Shirk Akbar).
The lesser polytheism (Shirk Asghar).
The hidden polytheism (Shirk Khafi).
Q- 7 What is Greater Polytheism [Shirk]?
The greater polytheism is to devote any form of worship to other than Allâh. Allâh will never forgive one who dies upon Shirk, nor accept his good deeds, and he would be cast out from the fold of Islâm. Allâh has made Jannah forbidden for the people of Shirk:
إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يَغْفِرُ أَن يُشْرَكَ بِهِۦ وَيَغْفِرُ مَا دُونَ ذَٰلِكَ لِمَن يَشَآءُ ۚ وَمَن يُشْرِكْ بِٱللَّهِ فَقَدْ ضَلَّ ضَلَـٰلًۢا بَعِيدًا
Verily! Allâh forgives not (the sin of) setting up partners (in worship) with Him, but He forgives whom He wills sins other than that, and whoever sets up partners in worship with Allâh, has indeed strayed far away.
(Sûrah An-Nisâ' : 116)
Q- 8 What is Lesser Shirk (Polytheism)?
The lesser Shirk is Ar-Riyâʾ (showing off) which means the acts of worship done to gain praise or fame from the creation, rather than to please Allâh, this type of polytheism, however, does not cast the person committing it out of the fold of Islâm.
Q - 9 What is the Hidden-Shirk (Polytheism)?
The hidden Shirk (polytheism) implies being dissatisfied with the conditions ordained by Allâh.
Q- 10 What is the proof of the hidden polytheism?
The proof of the above Shirk is the saying of the Prophet:
The hidden polytheism is more hidden among this nation than the track of a black ant over a black stone on a dark night
(Musnad Ahmad)
