Falling into subtle type or minor shirk is more fearful for the righteous, because of the ease one can fall into it due to its being very subtle. Therefore monotheists must always remain careful about polytheistic practices so that they do not adopt them unconsciously even though they do not themselves knowingly want to commit shirk.

Crux of God-consciousness, and devoted effort is to single Him out (43-26 & 27), sincerely, in worship-obedience and in all aspects of life. That is the meaning of Shahaadah: Laa ilaaha illallaah: testimony of Oneness. This recognition (tasliim: acceptance) makes a muslim and testimony (professing and practicing in submission) makes a mu'min. Consciousness of Allah creates consciousness of duty to Him. Tauhiid is pure and free from any blasphemy towards Allah. His consciousness demands same purity. Even in Suufii sense, nearness, assimilation and ascent can not be expected in admixtured allegiance, or in an interrupting environment. Furthermore ugliness of Shirk (polytheism) is that it vilifies God (36-78).

"Worship-obey Allah and join none with Him.." 4-36

Also examine following verses: 51-56, 16-36, 17-23, 6-151. Ibn Masud reported that whoever wishes to ascertain the very will of Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him), let him read the statement of Allah: "Say (O Muhammad): Come, I will recite what your Lord (Allah) has prohibited you from: Join not anything with Him. And verily, this is My Straight Path". Also see 13-36, 18-38 & 42, 40-42, 72-20.

The basic requirement is that the worship of Allah cannot be performed until Taghuut is denounced and rejected. Without submission-obedience (worship-obedience) to the Universal Law given by the Sole Supreme Lord, objectives of existence and development in unison and harmony of individual, society and universe, can not be accomplished. Dichotomy and divisive dealings in life, are bound to create disharmony and division. Examine verse 2-256. Taghuut includes all that is worshipped-obeyed other than Allah."(Kitab at-Tauhiid, pp. 17-20)

Allah is the Only One Alone to be and aught to be worshiped-obeyed, as ordained: 51-56, 16-36, 17-23 & 24, 4-36, 6-151 to 153.

"Whoever disbelieves in taaghuut and believes in Allah, then he has grasped the most trustworthy handhold." 2-256

"Jalaluddin says Taghuut was an idol of the Quraish, whom certain renegade Jews honoured in order to please the tribe.. Mr Lane observes that in the Arabian Nights, the name is used to express the devil as well as an idol." (A Dictionary of Islam, p.625)

Allah Ordains Obedience-Worship Purely for Him only

The Quran has repeatedly and constantly emphasized that not only that God is Ever All Powerful-Able to do everything (3-189), but all powers and forces of the megaverse belong to Him alone (36-83), and there is no partner and sharer in that (17-111 and 25-2). He does not like any idea of sharing in it (22-26). He orders that obedience-worship should be made pure for Him, and all petitions and supplications should be submitted to Him:

"Nor call on any other than Allah; such will neither profit you, nor hurt you. If you do, behold! you shall certainly be of those who do wrong." 10-106 Also examine 2-150, 3-30, 4-32 & 81, 6-17 & 64, 5-11, 7-55 & 56, 8-10, 29-17, 12-67, 14-34, 22-73, 34-39, 35-10, 26-78 to 80, 55-29, 40-60, 35-2.

Shirk Exposed

It is because of the very nature of concept of Tauhiid that faith is not just a passive belief but a dynamic doctrine, as a propelling force of the Diin (comprehensive way of life) and the foundation of entire edifice of Islam. Tauhiid itself is the purifying agent for all ingredients of Diin, acting in a dynamic mode. One of the best examples of pure sincerity in submission to Allah alone, is that of Ibrahim (Haniif, Peace be upon him), who accepted his Lord-Creator completely excepting Him from other deities: (43-26 & 27). The best example of its presentation is the Quran and its best application is the life of the Holy Prophet (Peace be upon him).

Muhammad bin Abdul Wahab, quoting the Quran and the Hadiith, has explained some subtleties of Shirk, in his book Kitab at-Tauhid, which need careful consideration. He goes on to say:

"Those who have not fulfilled the requirements of Tauhiid are such as they have not worshipped Allah, and in this sense is the meaning of the verse 109-3."

Ar-Riya: showing off: Allah's Messenger (Peace be upon him said: "What I fear most for you is a form of Shirk; Ar-Riya (showing off)".

Swearing by other than Allah: Narrated Ibn Umar that he found Umar bin Khataab in a group of people and he was swearing by his father; so the Prophet (Peace be upon him) called him saying: 'Verily, Allah forbids you to swear by your fathers. If one has to take an oath he should either swear by Allah or keep quiet." (Hadiith 129, Vol-VIII, Sahih Bukhari). Ascribing power or invoking for protection: 39-38, e.g. wearing a ring, etc with this intention. Uqbah bin Aamir (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: "Whoever wears talisman or an amulet would never see his wish fulfilled by Allah. And whoever hangs a sea shell would never get peace and rest."

In another version the Prophet (Peace be upon him) is reported to have said: "Whoever wears a talisman has committed Shirk (polytheism)." Narrated Abu Bashir Al-Ansari: "Allah's Messenger (Peace be upon him) sent a messenger ordering: "There shall not remain any necklace of bowstring or any other kind of necklace round the necks of camels except it is cut off."
(Bukhari and Muslim)

Ibn Masud (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that he heard Allah's Messenger (Peace be upon him) saying: "Ar-Ruqa (or Al-Aza'im; act of reciting incantations, charm etc.), At-Tima'im (act of putting an amulet around necks of children to save them from the effects of evil eye) and At-Tiwalah (bewitchment; something done with the claim to create love between husband and wife) are all acts of Shirk (polytheism)." (Masnad Ahmad, Abu Daud) Abdullah bin Ukaim narrated: "Whoever uses, attaches or wears a talisman to himself, will have that talisman put in charge of him". (Ahmad & Tirmidhii). Sa'id bin Jubair said: "Whoever cut an amulet or talisman from anyone, it would be equal to liberating a slave." seeking help from other than Allah;

Supplicating to the righteous: Istighatha: supplicating or invocating for assistance: 10-106 & 107, 29-17, 46-5, 27-62. Even disbelievers and idolators call upon Allah in times of extreme distress with the utmost sincerity, because they know that He is the Ultimate One Who provides relief. Verses 17-56 & 57 clearly reject supplication to the righteous ones as Shirk. Verses 9-31 and 2-165 inform that the People of the Book took their priests and rabbis as their lords besides Allah. It is explained that worship-obedience and supplicating to them is Shirk. In this regard, some probing questions are raised: "..they do indeed love Allah tremendously but this nevertheless did not bring them into the fold of Islam. Then how about the one who loves the false deity more than he loves Allah? How about the one who loves none other than his false deity and has no love for Allah?" (Kitab- at-Tauhiid, p.41)

Seeking blessing through something

Seeking blessing through trees, stones, etc., e.g. in Hinduism At-Tirmidhii reported that Abu Waqid Al-Laithi (may Allah be pleased with him) said: We went out with Allah's Messenger (Peace be upon him) on the campaign to Hunain while we had just left disbelief (Kufr) for Islam. The Mushrikiin had a Sidra (lot-tree) that they would stay there and hang their arms on, called Dhat Anwat. When we passed a Sidra we asked, "O Messenger of Allah (Peace be upon him) won't you make for us another Dhat Anwat just like their Dhat Anwat? Allah's Messenegr (Peace be upon him) said:

'Allahu Akbar' (Allah is the Most Great)! By the One (Allah) Who holds my soul in His Hand, verily, these are the ways of earlier nations, you have said exactly as Bani Israel said to Moses (Peace be upon him): 'Make for us a god just as their gods.' He said: 'Verily, you are a people who know not.' (7-138). Certainly you will follow the ways of those who went before you."

Also examine: 53-23 Praying in a place of piety: See 9-108 Slaughtering for other than Allah: 6-162 & 163 Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) said: "Allah's Messenger (Peace be upon him) informed me about four Judgements (of Allah): i) Allah's curse is upon the one who slaughters (devoting his sacrifice) to anything other than Allah, ii) Allah's curse is upon the one who curses his own parents, iii) Allah's curse is upon the one who shelters an heretic, and iv) Allah's curse is upon the one who alters the landmarks."(Muslim) Muhammad bin Abdul Wahab has explained the last one (iv), thus: "the boundaries that differentiate one person's land from his neighbour's, and changes those borders to encroach upon that land or obstruct it." (Kitab at-Tauhid, p.54) Also see Surah Al-Kausar, which ordains prayer and sacrifice for Allah: "To you have We (Allah) granted the Abundance. (1) "Therefore to your Lord turn in Prayer and Sacrifice. (2) "For, he who hates you, he will be cut off." (3) to 3 Sacrifice for Allah not in a place devoted to anything of Shirk Thabit bin Dahhak said: "A man made a vow to sacrifice a camel at a place called Bunawah, so he asked the Prophet (Peace be upon him) about it. He said: 'Did the place have any idol which is worshipped, of the idols of Jahiliyah?' They answered, 'No'. The Prophet (Peace be upon him) asked again, 'Did the disbelievers hold any of their recurring festivities there?' They answered, 'No'. Allah's Messenger (Peace be upon him) then said:, 'Fulfill your vow. Verily, there is no fulfilling of a vow made in disobedience to Allah, nor one that is beyond a person's capacity." (Abu Dawud)

Vow and its fulfillment for Allah only: 76-7, 2-270 Muhammad bin Abdul Wahab has opined that "Since it is approved that making a vow is an act of worship to Allah, then directing a vow to other than Allah is committing Shirk. Fulfillment of the vow is obligatory" (Kitab at-Tauhiid, p.57) Narrated Aishah (may Allah be pleased with her): "Whoever vows that he will be obedient to Allah, he should be obedient to Him; and whoever made a vow that he will disobey Allah, he should not disobey Him." (Bukhari) To seek Refuge in other than Allah is Shirk; increasing in sin and disbelief: 72-6 Khawlah bint Hakim said: I heard Allah's Messenger (Peace be upon him) say: "Whoever goes into a dwelling and says: "I seek refuge in Allah's perfect words from the evil (of those) which He created, no harm shall befall him until he departs from that place." (Muslim) Created one can not be an object of worship: 7-191 & 192, 35-13 & 14 Abu Hurairah said: "Allah's Messenger (Peace be upon him) stood up, when it was revealed to him: 'And warn your tribe (O Muhammad) of near kindred.' (26-214), and (he, Peace be upon him) said: 'O people of Quraish - or words similar to that - and sell your souls. I will not be of any help to you before Allah, O Abbas bin Abdul Muttalib, I will not be of any help to you before Allah; O Safiyah, aunt of Allah's Messenger (Peace be upon him), I will not be of any help to you before Allah; O Fatimah, daughter of Muhammad (Peace be upon him), ask of my wealth what you wish, I will be of no avail to you before Allah." (Bukhari, Muslim)


Decision is with Allah only Anas narrated: "The Prophet (Peace be upon him) was hit on the day of Uhud and his teeth were broken. So he said: 'How can a people succeed who hit their Prophet?' The verse: 'Not for you (O Muhammad, but for Allah) is the decision (3-128). Was then revealed.' (Bukhari & Muslim) Intercession: 6-51, 39-44, 2-255, 53-26, 34-22 &23 Abul Abbas said that Allah has negated all that Mushrikiin (polytheists) attach to their false gods. He has negated that anyone has any dominion or any share in it besides Him, or that there is any assistant to Allah. It is clear that there will be no benefit to anyone except for whom has been granted permission by the Lord (Allah) for intercession: 'They will not be able to intercede except for him, with whom He is pleased.' (21-28) Grant of permission for intercession is the Pleasure of Allah as an honour to whom He is pleased with and His conferment upon him of the Highest Place (Maqaam-Mahmuud). The Prophet (Peace be upon him) made it clear that intercession will be for the people of Tauhiid and Ikhlaas. Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) asked the Prophet (Peace be upon him): " Who will be the happiest of people with your intercession?' He (the Prophet, Peace be upon him said: 'Whoever said Laa ilaaha illa-Allaah, sincerely with pure intention from his heart." So this intercession is for those with pure intent, if Allah so wills, and is not for those who commit shirk. Purity of Oneness is emphasized in the Bible also: Absolute Owner-Master of the Day of Judgement: "And the Lord (Allah) shall be King all over the earth: in that Day, shall there be One Lord and His Name One. (Zecharia 14-9) Purity in Prayer: "And go not after other gods to serve them, and to worship them." (Jeremiah 25-6)