Introduction
Have you ever contemplated the profound wisdom embedded within the Quran, the sacred scripture of Islam, regarding the concept of shirk—associating partners with Allah? Within its pages, the Quran imparts deep insights into the essence of monotheism and the perils of shirk. In this blog, we embark on a spiritual voyage, guided by the verses of Surah Al-Kahf, Surah Al-Fatiha, and the exquisite purity of Surah Al-Ikhlas, unearthing the treasures of tawhid—the belief in the absolute oneness of Allah.
Surah Al-Kahf, the 18th chapter of the Quran, and Surah Al-Fatiha, the Quran's opening chapter, stand as luminous beacons, illuminating the path of faith for Muslims worldwide. Through the verses of these chapters, we delve into the fundamental principles of Islamic monotheism, discovering how they intricately connect to our everyday existence. Walk with us on this enlightening journey, as we unearth profound lessons about the paramount importance of worshiping Allah alone and the perilous pitfalls of shirk, all while basking in the divine purity of Surah Al-Ikhlas.
The Concept of Worshiping Allah Alone:
In Islam, the central tenet of faith is the belief in the oneness of Allah (Tawhid). This principle underscores the exclusive worship of Allah without associating partners or intermediaries. Let's explore some Quranic verses and Hadith that emphasize this fundamental concept:
Quranic Verses:
Surah Al-Baqarah (Chapter 2), Verse 21:
یٰۤاَیُّہَا النَّاسُ اعۡبُدُوۡا رَبَّکُمُ الَّذِیۡ خَلَقَکُمۡ وَالَّذِیۡنَ مِنۡ قَبۡلِکُمۡ لَعَلَّکُمۡ تَتَّقُوۡنَ ۙ
"O mankind, worship your Lord, who created you and those before you, that you may become righteous."
Surah Al-An'am (Chapter 6), Verse 102:
ذٰلِکُمُ اللّٰہُ رَبُّکُمۡ ۚ لَاۤ اِلٰہَ اِلَّا ہُوَ ۚ خَالِقُ کُلِّ شَیۡءٍ فَاعۡبُدُوۡہُ ۚ وَہُوَ عَلٰی کُلِّ شَیۡءٍ وَّکِیۡلٌ
"That is Allah, your Lord; there is no deity except Him, the Creator of all things, so worship Him. And He is Disposer of all things."
Surah Al-Isra (Chapter 17), Verse 22:
لَا تَجۡعَلۡ مَعَ اللّٰہِ اِلٰـہًا اٰخَرَ فَتَقۡعُدَ مَذۡمُوۡمًا مَّخۡذُوۡلًا
Do not make [as equal] with Allāh another deity and [thereby] become censured and forsaken.
Surah Al-Ikhlas (Chapter 112), Verses 1-4:
قُلۡ ہُوَ اللّٰہُ اَحَدٌ ۚ
اَللّٰہُ الصَّمَدُ ۚ
لَمۡ یَلِدۡ ۬ۙ وَلَمۡ یُوۡلَدۡ ۙ
وَلَمۡ یَکُنۡ لَّہٗ کُفُوًا اَحَدٌ
"Say, 'He is Allah, [Who is] One, Allah, the Eternal Refuge. He neither begets nor is born, nor is there to Him any equivalent.'"
These Quranic verses unequivocally stress the worship of Allah alone, leaving no room for any partners or intermediaries in acts of devotion.
The Significance of Surah Al-Kahf
The Story of the Two Gardeners: A Lesson Against Shirk:
The type of shirk mentioned in Surah Al-Kahf (Chapter 18), verses 32-43, can be understood as "Shirk al-Asghar" or minor shirk, particularly involving the concept of associating partners with Allah in intention or actions. These verses narrate the story of the two gardeners and highlight the concept of attributing the blessings and success in life solely to one's efforts and wealth, neglecting the acknowledgment of Allah's role in it. Here's a detailed explanation:
وَاضۡرِبۡ لَہُمۡ مَّثَلًا رَّجُلَیۡنِ جَعَلۡنَا لِاَحَدِہِمَا جَنَّتَیۡنِ مِنۡ اَعۡنَابٍ وَّحَفَفۡنٰہُمَا بِنَخۡلٍ وَّجَعَلۡنَا بَیۡنَہُمَا زَرۡعًا ؕ
And present to them an example of two men: We granted to one of them two gardens of grapevines, and We bordered them with palm trees and placed between them [fields of] crops.
کِلۡتَا الۡجَنَّتَیۡنِ اٰتَتۡ اُکُلَہَا وَلَمۡ تَظۡلِمۡ مِّنۡہُ شَیۡئًا ۙ وَّفَجَّرۡنَا خِلٰلَہُمَا نَہَرًا ۙ
Each of the two gardens produced its fruit and did not fall short thereof in anything. And We caused to gush forth within them a river.
وَّكَانَ لَهٗ ثَمَرٌ ۚ فَقَالَ لِصَاحِبِهٖ وَهُوَ يُحَاوِرُهٗۤ اَنَا اَكْثَرُ مِنْكَ مَالًا وَّاَعَزُّ نَفَرًا
And he had fruit, so he said to his companion while he was conversing with him, "I am greater than you in wealth and mightier in [numbers of] men."
وَدَخَلَ جَنَّتَهٗ وَهُوَ ظَالِمٌ لِّنَفْسِهٖ ۚ قَالَ مَاۤ اَظُنُّ اَنْ تَبِيْدَ هٰذِهٖۤ اَبَدًا ۙ
And he entered his garden while he was unjust to himself.He said, "I do not think that this will perish - ever.
وَّمَاۤ اَظُنُّ السَّاعَۃَ قَآئِمَۃً ۙ وَّلَئِنۡ رُّدِدۡتُّ اِلٰی رَبِّیۡ لَاَجِدَنَّ خَیۡرًا مِّنۡہَا مُنۡقَلَبًا
And I do not think the Hour will occur. And even if I should be brought back to my Lord, I will surely find better than this as a return."
قَالَ لَہٗ صَاحِبُہٗ وَہُوَ یُحَاوِرُہٗۤ اَکَفَرۡتَ بِالَّذِیۡ خَلَقَکَ مِنۡ تُرَابٍ ثُمَّ مِنۡ نُّطۡفَۃٍ ثُمَّ سَوّٰىکَ رَجُلًا ؕ
His companion said to him while he was conversing with him, "Have you disbelieved in He who created you from dust and then from a sperm-drop and then proportioned you [as] a man?
لٰکِنَّا۠ ہُوَ اللّٰہُ رَبِّیۡ وَلَاۤ اُشۡرِکُ بِرَبِّیۡۤ اَحَدًا
But as for me, He is Allāh, my Lord, and I do not associate with my Lord anyone.
وَلَوۡلَاۤ اِذۡ دَخَلۡتَ جَنَّتَکَ قُلۡتَ مَا شَآءَ اللّٰہُ ۙ لَا قُوَّۃَ اِلَّا بِاللّٰہِ ۚ اِنۡ تَرَنِ اَنَا اَقَلَّ مِنۡکَ مَالًا وَّوَلَدًا ۚ
And why did you, when you entered your garden, not say, 'What Allāh willed [has occurred]; there is no power except in Allāh'? Although you see me less than you in wealth and children,
فَعَسٰی رَبِّیۡۤ اَنۡ یُّؤۡتِیَنِ خَیۡرًا مِّنۡ جَنَّتِکَ وَیُرۡسِلَ عَلَیۡہَا حُسۡبَانًا مِّنَ السَّمَآءِ فَتُصۡبِحَ صَعِیۡدًا زَلَقًا ۙ
It may be that my Lord will give me [something] better than your garden and will send upon it a [disastrous] penalty from the sky, and it will become a smooth, dusty ground,
اَوۡ یُصۡبِحَ مَآؤُہَا غَوۡرًا فَلَنۡ تَسۡتَطِیۡعَ لَہٗ طَلَبًا
Or its water will become sunken [into the earth], so you would never be able to seek it."
وَاُحِیۡطَ بِثَمَرِہٖ فَاَصۡبَحَ یُقَلِّبُ کَفَّیۡہِ عَلٰی مَاۤ اَنۡفَقَ فِیۡہَا وَہِیَ خَاوِیَۃٌ عَلٰی عُرُوۡشِہَا وَیَقُوۡلُ یٰلَیۡتَنِیۡ لَمۡ اُشۡرِکۡ بِرَبِّیۡۤ اَحَدًا
And his fruits were encompassed [by ruin], so he began to turn his hands about [in dismay] over what he had spent on it, while it had collapsed upon its trellises, and said, "Oh, I wish I had not associated with my Lord anyone." [He attributed his prosperity to himself rather than to Allāh and disbelieved in the account of the Hereafter]
وَلَمۡ تَکُنۡ لَّہٗ فِئَۃٌ یَّنۡصُرُوۡنَہٗ مِنۡ دُوۡنِ اللّٰہِ وَمَا کَانَ مُنۡتَصِرًا ؕ
And there was for him no company to aid him other than Allāh, nor could he defend himself.
Explanation:
In these verses, the story revolves around two gardeners, one of whom is characterized by arrogance, self-centeredness, and a lack of gratitude to Allah. He becomes an embodiment of minor shirk by attributing his success and wealth solely to his own efforts and by displaying a sense of superiority over his friend.
1. Neglecting Allah's Role: The gardener, who possesses two lush gardens, enters one of them with a sense of pride and neglects to attribute his prosperity to Allah. This attitude is a form of minor shirk as it involves ingratitude and attributing blessings solely to one's abilities, thereby neglecting Allah's role as the ultimate source of blessings.
2. Arrogance and Self-Importance: He boasts about his wealth and the size of his retinue, which is a display of arrogance. This arrogance leads him to believe that his wealth is self-sustaining and invulnerable, thereby diminishing his recognition of Allah's power.
3. His Friend's Response: The other gardener, in contrast, maintains humility and acknowledges Allah as his Lord, refusing to associate partners with Him. He reminds his friend of the Creator's role in their existence and wealth.
4. The Consequences of Arrogance: The consequences of the arrogant gardener's attitude become evident when his garden is struck by calamity, causing his crops and wealth to be destroyed. This event serves as a stark reminder that true success and blessings come from Allah, and associating partners with Him leads to ruin.
In summary, the shirk mentioned in these verses is the minor shirk of attributing one's success and blessings solely to one's efforts while neglecting the role of Allah. It serves as a cautionary tale against arrogance and a reminder of the importance of acknowledging Allah's role in our lives and being grateful for His blessings.
Tawhid in Surah Al-Fatiha
مٰلِکِ یَوۡمِ الدِّیۡنِؕ اِیَّاکَ نَعۡبُدُ وَاِیَّاکَ نَسۡتَعِیۡنُ
Translation: "Master of the Day of Judgment. You alone we worship, and You alone we ask for help." (Quran 1:4)
This verse from Surah Al-Fatiha is central to Islamic belief and directly emphasizes the concept of worshiping Allah alone without any intermediaries. Let's break it down and see how it stands against shirk:
- "مٰلِکِ یَوۡمِ الدِّیۡنِ" (Master of the Day of Judgment): This part of the verse acknowledges that Allah is the Master of the Day of Judgment, highlighting His sovereignty over the ultimate reckoning. There is no one else who holds this position of authority.
- "اِیَّاکَ نَعۡبُدُ وَاِیَّاکَ نَسۡتَعِیۡنُ" (You alone we worship, and You alone we ask for help): Here, the Quran explicitly states that worship and seeking help are directed exclusively to Allah. It leaves no room for associating any partners or intermediaries with Him in these acts of devotion.
Tafseer Ibn Kathir:
Tafseer Ibn Kathir, a renowned Quranic commentary, provides insight into the understanding of this verse:
Ibn Kathir explains that in the phrase "اِیَّاکَ نَعۡبُدُ وَاِیَّاکَ نَسۡتَعِیۡنُ" (You alone we worship, and You alone we ask for help), the word "اِیَّاکَ" (You alone) is repeated for emphasis. It signifies the absolute exclusivity of worship and seeking help directed towards Allah alone. There is no sharing in these acts of devotion with anyone else.
This verse is a foundational declaration of monotheism (Tawhid) in Islam. It underscores the belief that all acts of worship, whether in the form of prayer, supplication, or seeking assistance, are to be directed solely to Allah. It firmly stands against shirk, which involves associating partners or intermediaries with Allah in worship or seeking help.
In summary, Surah Al-Fatiha, particularly verse 4, unequivocally affirms the principle of worshiping Allah alone without intermediaries. It is a fundamental concept in Islam, and Tafseer Ibn Kathir reinforces the exclusivity of devotion to Allah, leaving no room for shirk or the association of partners with Him in any form of worship or seeking assistance.
The Day of Judgment: No Intercession, Only Allah's Sovereignty
As believers, we must remind ourselves of the ultimate reality: the Day of Judgment. Allah, the Exalted, has revealed verses in the Quran emphasizing His sole authority and the futility of intercession on that Day.
The Quranic Warning
Surah Al-Baqarah (2:123) cautions: "And fear the Day when no soul will compensate for another, nor will intercession be accepted from it, nor will ransom be taken from it, nor will they be helped." This verse underscores the individual accountability each soul will face.
No Intercession
Other verses reinforce this concept:
- Surah Al-Zukhruf (43:86): "And they have taken gods besides Allah, that they might be helped. But they will reject their worship of them and will become opponents to them."
- Surah Al-Muddaththir (74:48): "Then, on the Day of Judgment, no intercession will benefit except [from] whom the Most Merciful permits."
- Surah Saba' (34:23): "And intercession will not benefit with Him except for whom He permits."
Allah's Sole Authority
On the Day of Judgment, Allah's sovereignty will be absolute:
- Surah Al-Furqan (25:26): "The Sovereignty on that Day will be Allah's."
- Surah Al-Qiyamah (75:40): "No soul shall have the power to speak except by His leave."
- Surah Al-Jathiyah (45:21): "And who is more unjust than one who invents a lie about Allah?"
- Surah Al-Hashr (59:23): "He is Allah, other than whom there is no deity, the Sovereign, the Holy One."
Individual Accountability
Each soul will be judged based on its deeds:
- Surah Al-Isra' (17:71): "Every soul will be paid in full for what it has earned."
- Surah Al-Zalzalah (99:7-8): "So whoever has done good equal to the weight of an atom shall see it. And whoever has done evil equal to the weight of an atom shall see it."
- Surah Al-Baqarah (2:281): "And fear the Day when you will be returned to Allah."
Conclusion
As believers, let us heed the Quran's warning. No intercession can override Allah's judgment. Our actions alone will determine our fate. Let us strive for righteousness, seeking forgiveness and guidance from Allah, the Most Merciful.
[Note: There might be some people who were thinking that we seek help from our friends family police doctor lawyer etc, is it also shirk. The answer is no, it doesn't include in shirk. For seeking help from a person that person should fulfill 3 conditions Hazir Kadir Hayi
Hazir- which means that the person you seeking help should physically available for help, for example if you are asking someone who is present near you or you are seeking them through phone or letter. If you are seeking help from the person not in some physical or digital form for example if i say mom please help me in etc etc work, and my mom is sitting in another city or country she can't hear me, i didn't called her or send her any message, then it is wrong. This condition emphasizes the importance of seeking help from those who are physically present or accessible. It reminds us that seeking help should be a practical endeavor
Kadir- That person should hold the power to help you. For example imagine a scenario in which i am lost in a huge desert and i don't have water, then i met a person who also have no water and i ask him that please bring me water out of nowhere or from magic but has no ability to bring me water, then it is wrong
Hayi- The person whom you are seeking help should be alive. Seeking Help from a dead person is wrong .This principle aligns with the broader concept in Islam that connects us with the realm of the living and reminds us that Allah is the sole authority over life and death.]
Conclusion:
In conclusion, the Quran emphasize the principle of Tawhid—the belief in the oneness of Allah—as the cornerstone of Islamic faith. Worshiping Allah alone without intermediaries is a fundamental concept in Islam, as highlighted in various Quranic verses and . The story of the two gardeners in Surah Al-Kahf serves as a cautionary tale against shirk, illustrating the consequences of attributing success solely to one's efforts without acknowledging Allah's role.
As Muslims, we are reminded to always direct our worship, supplication, and trust exclusively to Allah, recognizing that He is the Master of the Day of Judgment and the ultimate source of all blessings. May this understanding of Tawhid strengthen our faith and lead us on the path of righteousness.
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