'Shirk' is a comprehensive term. Idol worship is its
simplest form. In fact, people worship idols because
they think these got the power to changes their
destiny. However, it is an inferior thinking of man.
God has created man as superior being among many of
His creatures (17:70). It is not proper for him to
submit to anyone who are either inferior to him (idols
or his lowly desires) or who are mortal beings like
him self (priest and rulers). Man should submit
himself to the authority of God alone. He is the
creator and He knows what the purpose of man's
creation is? (67:14). Therefore, no one could think
better than God what is best for man. When Quran says;
" authority belongs to God..." (6:57) or when God
condemn 'Shirk' as the biggest and un-pardonable crime
(31:13;4:48), it does not mean that God dislikes
deities and asserts Himself as a sovereign. He is far
above emotions and far above what we associate with
Him. If man associates hundreds of deities, it does
not affect God's sovereignty in the universe.
Secondly, He Himself has condemned compulsion in
'Al-Deen' (2:256). So, how could He threat or force
human beings against their will, to follow a
particular path? Actually, these admonitions are meant
to inculcate the truth that man can accomplish his
goals by no other means except God's laws. He can
reach his destination by following God's path alone.
Therefore, the real 'shirk' is not the worship of
idols or deities but it is the following of paths
other than the one, which God has recommended. These
paths (in other words, various man-made systems)
misguide man and take him far away from his
destination (4:116). Values and principles in man-made
systems are not enough to guide man in the right
direction. By following man-made systems, he cannot
emancipate from animal-instincts and lowly desires; He
cannot rise to become a noble and dignified human
being. It is possible only by following the value
system of the Quran (28:85). It is stated in the
Quran:
"God wants to raise man to the exalted ranks of
humanity through the value system of the Quran. But,
man follows the earthly desires which eventually
brings him low to the position of beasts and worse."
(7:176). This downfall is exclusively attributed to
'Shirk' in another verse, which reads as follow;
"Hunafaa lillahe ghaira Mushrikeena beh - Being true
in faith to God, and never assigning partners to Him -
Wa manyushrik billahe - if anyone assigns partners to
God - Fa ka ann ma kharra minusamai - he is as if he
had fallen from heavens - Fa takhtafh-o-tairo au
tahvee behir reeho fi makanin saheeq - and been
snatched up by birds, or the wind had swooped and
thrown him into a far-distant place." (22:31)
God's given value system grooms human personality. It
imparts enlightenment, and excellence of taste through
intellectual and aesthetic training. It provides him
protection against the spontaneous forces of nature
and the society.
Accordingly, we conclude that real 'Shirk' is to
follow values and principles, which are against the
Quran. The real 'Shirk' is to follow the systems,
which are based on non-Quranic values and principles.
Quran has emphatically stated:
"La yushrik fi hukmehee ahada - God does not share His
Command (values & principles) with anyone whatsoever".
(18:26)
This definition of 'Shirk' is much more important and
practically related with the welfare of the society.
If understood rightly and taken care of, it would have
liberated the masses from the evil's systems, which
exploit national resources and man's labor to
safeguard the interests of privileged classes against
the common man's interests. The masses would have
never submitted to such systems because submission to
these man-made systems is no less a big crime than
'Shirk'. But the religious scholars did not pay due
attention on this concept and laid undeserved emphasis
in condemning idol's worship as a form of 'Shirk'.
They diverted the focus of attention of the people
from a dangerous and fatal form of 'Shirk' towards a
simple and harmless form of 'Shirk'. Consequently, as
earlier said, the Muslim masses can tolerate and bow
their heads before any evil ruler no matter how much
his rule is against the rule of God's Will; they can
live in any man-made system no matter how much its
values and principles are degraded and against the
noble values of the glorious Quran, but they would
never tolerate bowing before an idol. They hated
idol's worship like they hate pigs whereas idols has
no power either to harm or to benefit them. The
religion's opium has worked rightly on them. They
forgot their primary obligations to strive hard
against ignorance, poverty, and undemocratic values.
They never realized that idols of human desires are
worst than stone's idols. These noble ideas never
touched them but they dream to be known as
'Butshikan'. They have become the true embodiment of
what the Quran said in this verse:
"And most of them believe not in God without
associating (others as partners) with Him". (12:106)
MEANING OF 'IBADAH' CHANGED
When 'illah' came to be misinterpreted; "The one who
is worshiped", instead of, "The one who is the ruler",
and 'Shirk' came to be misinterpreted; "To associate
idols in the worship of God", instead of, "To
associate others in the rule of God" then, naturally,
the meaning of 'ibadah' has to be misinterpreted; "The
worship of God", instead of, "The rule of God". This
change in the meanings of words along with the
introduction of other non-Quranic concepts such as
'The concept of recitation' and 'The concept of five
pillars' had played a key role in the transformation
of 'Al-Deen' into religion.
The Quran has given a very clear concept of 'ibadah'.
It simply means: "obedience to God's command". In
verse (18:110) it says; "wa la yushrik be-ibadateh
rabbehe ahada - nor does he associate anyone in
'ibadah' of his God. And in verse (18:26) it says; "wa
la yushrik fi hukmehe ahada"- nor does He share His
Command with any person whatsoever". These verses have
clearly defined the relation between 'hukm' and
'ibadah' and left no room for confusing 'ibadah' with
worship. Neither God wants to share His Command with
anyone nor His Messenger like to obey anyone except
God.
The concept of worship (Ibadah) is alien to 'Al-Deen'.
It is a creation of religion. 'Al-Deen' is a
goal-oriented system, which follows certain rules and
principles. It is not a dogma but a guide to practice.
Whatever, it claims or promises for the welfare of
people that is concrete and achievable in this world.
On the contrary, religion consists of beliefs and
dogmas based on wistful thinking of those people who
fail to establish God's Authority against the
authority of oppressive forces in the society. While
the followers of 'Al-Deen' sacrifice their persons and
goods to win the blessings and the pleasure of God
(9:111) the religious folks have nothing to please Him
in this world except to offer their praises and
prayers (worship).
We may not know when? And where? The transformation of
'Al-Deen' into religion took place because social and
cultural changes are evolutionary in nature and
difficult to monitor. These are, like a clock's hour
needle, remain in motion invisibly for a long period
of time before they become mature and attain
perfection. However, in the light of above discussion,
we are certain that Islam is no more 'al-Deen'.
Although, we call it 'Al-Deen' but everywhere it is
practiced as religion.
A religion cannot prove its truthfulness nor it can
prove its superiority over other religions. Firstly,
all religions are based on fear and ignorance.
Secondly, they do not have concern with the management
of worldly affairs such as politics and economy. The
primary subject of religion is spirituality. In this
regard, in order to see which one is true and
superior, one has to wait till doomsday. On the
contrary, a system has to prove its worth in this
world. It is based on well-defined principles and
policies. Its results and achievements are concrete
and comparable. For example, when a system promises
social justice it has to deliver it. Islam as a system
had remained very successful. Islamic state was the
embodiment of peace and justice. It had delivered all
the goods to its people. But when Islam reduced to
religion it became a pandemonium of chaos, confusion,
and contradictions. It failed badly to deliver what it
claimed. This situation persisted till now and will
continue to persist till Islam is redefined as a
system.
We have pointed out earlier that there are many
contradictions found in Islam. Muslims believe in
unity but they are the most disunited folks in the
world. They believe in fraternity but they are not
fraternal to each other. They believe in peace but
known to others as terrorists. They believe in human
equality and dignity but these noble values are
nowhere found in Muslims' societies. These and many
other contradictions are found in Islam because it is
not practiced as a values system. What the Muslims are
practicing in the name of Islam that is purely a
religion consisting mostly of biblical dogmas and
Zoroastrian junk. It has very little, if any,
teachings from the Quran or the life of the Prophet
(pbuh). Therefore, when we talk about the failure of
Islam, in fact, we talk about the failure of Islam as
a religion.
Dear Readers; this is just a brief review of a Great
Tragedy. A tragedy: which turned a system of great
values and principles into dust of religious dogmas
and rituals. This unwanted transformation brought in
its fold many drastic consequences to the Muslims
world. The most prominent was the curse of
factionalism and sectarianism. Al-Deen-al-Islam, which
during the first half-century of its foundation, have
worked as a coherent and dominant system on the map of
the world got divided into secular Islam and religious
Islam. This division never stopped. The secular Islam
got further divided into various political and
cultural factions and the religious Islam got divided
into various religious sects such as sunni, and shia.
Clash of Interests, which is an essential outcome of
sectarianism, took them into its bloody grip and the
scourge of mutual vengeance became their destiny.
(6:65)
To sum up, I would say that if the Muslims want to
redeem the past glory of Islam; if they want to see
Islam triumphant in the world; if they want to enjoy a
self-satisfied life under Islam then they have to
redefine Islam as a system. For, it is the system,
which can deliver these good to them - not religion.
****Wa ma 'alaina illal balagh****
REFERENCES
· The Glorious Quran
1:1- Praise be to God, The Cherisher and Sustainer of
the worlds
2:38- whosoever follow My guidance, on them shall be
no fear, nor shall they grieve.
2:62- Those who believe (in the Quran), and those who
follow the Jewish (scripture), and the Christians and
the Sabians, - Any who believe in God and the Last
Day, and work righteousness, shall have their reward
with their Lord; on them shall be no fear, nor shall
they grieve.
2:151- A similar (favor have ye already received); In
that We have sent among you an apostle of your own;
rehearsing to you Our signs, and sanctifying you, and
educating you in the Book and Wisdom, and in new
knowledge.
2:208- O you who believe! Enter into Islam
wholeheartedly; and follow not the footsteps of evil
one; for he is to you an avowed enemy.
2:256- Let there be no compulsion in religion: Truth
standout clear from falsehood
3:19- The religion before God is Islam (submission to
His Will). Nor did the people of the Book dissent
there from except through envy of each other, after
knowledge had come to them. But if any deny the sign
of God, God is swift in calling to account.
3:85- If any one desires a religion other than Islam
(Submission to God) never it will be accepted of him,
and in the hereafter he will be in the ranks of those
who have lost (all spiritual good)
3:103- And hold fast, all together, by the rope which
God (stretches out for you), and be not divided among
yourselves; - .
3:105- Be not like those who are divided amongst
themselves and fall into disputations after receiving
clear signs; for them is a dreadful penalty.
3:159- It is part of the mercy of God that you deal
gently with them. Were you severe or harsh-hearted,
they would have broken away from about thee; so pass
over (their faults), and ask for (Gods) forgiveness
for them; and CONSULT THEM IN AFFAIRS. Then, when you
have taken a decision put thy trust in God. For God
love those who trust Him.
3:200- O ye who believe! Persevere in patience and
constancy; vie in such perseverance; strengthen each
other; And obey God that you may prosper.
4:48- God forgives not that partners should be set up
with Him; but He forgives any thing else, to whom He
pleases; To set up partners with God is to devise a
sin most heinous indeed.
4:116- God forgives not (the sin of) joining other
gods with Him; But He forgives to whom He pleases
other sins than this: One who joins other gods with
God; had strayed far, far away (from the right path).
4:174- O mankind! Verily there has come to you a
convincing proof (rational) from your Lord: For We
have sent unto you a light (that is) manifest.
5:4- this day have I perfected your religion for you,
completed My favor upon you, and have chosen for you
Islam as your religion. -
6:57- the command rest with none but God; He
declares the truth, and He is the best of judges.
6:65- Say; He has power to send calamities on you,
from above and below, OR TO COVER YOU WITH CONFUSION
IN PARTY STRIFE, giving you a taste of MUTUAL
VENGEANCE each from the other .!
6:91- the Book which Moses brought A light and
guidance to mankind; but you make it into (SEPARATE)
SHEETS for show, while you conceal (much of its
contents): !
6:108- Revile not ye those whom they call upon besides
God, lest they out of spite revile God in their
ignorance !
6:151- take not life, which God has made sacred,
except by way of justice and law !
7:52- We had certainly have sent unto them a Book,
BASED ON KNOWLEDGE, which We explained in detail, - A
guide and mercy to all who believe.
7:105- One for whom it is right to say nothing but
truth about God. Now have come unto you (people), from
your Lord, with a clear sign: So let the CHILDREN OF
ISRAEL DEPART ALONG WITH ME.
7:110- His (Moses) plan is TO GET YOU OUT OF YOUR
LAND: then what is ye counsel.?
7:156- And ordain for us that which is good, IN THIS
LIFE AND IN THE HEREAFTER !
7:176- If it had been Our Will (and it was), WE
SHOULD HAVE ELEVATED HIM WITH OUR SIGNS; but he
inclined to the earth, and followed his own vain
desires.
9:33- It is He Who has sent His apostle with guidance
AND THE RELIGION OF TRUTH, to proclaim it over all
religion, even though the pagans may detest it.
9:36- The number of months in the sight of God is
twelve (in a year) So ordained by Him the day He
created the heavens and the earth; of them four are
sacred; THAT IS THE IS THE STRAIGHT USAGE .!
9:111- God has purchased of the believers THEIR PERSON
AND THEIR GOODS; for theirs (in return) is the garden
(of paradise) !
10:78- They said has thou come to us to turn us from
the ways we found our fathers following, - in order
thou and thy brother MAY HAVE GREATNESS IN THE LAND;
but not we shall believe in you.
12:2- We have sent it down as an Arabic Quran, IN
ORDER THAT YOU MAY LEARN WISDOM.
15:89-93- And say; I am indeed he that warns openly
and without ambiguity. (of just such wrath) as We sent
down on those WHO DIVIDED (Scripture into arbitrary
parts). (So also on such), AS HAVE MADE QURAN INTO
SHREDS (as they please). Therefore, by the Lord, We
will, of a surety, call them to account. For all their
deeds.
16:44- (We sent them) with clear signs and Books of
dark prophecies; And We have sent down unto thee
(also) the message; THAT THOU MAYEST EXPLAIN CLEARLY
TO MEN WHAT IS SENT FOR THEM, AND THAT THEY MAY GIVE
THOUGHT.
16:71- God has bestowed His gifts of sustenance more
freely on some of you than on others; those more
favored are not going to throw back their gifts to
those whom their right hands posses (employees), SO AS
TO BE EQUAL IN THAT RESPECT. Will they then deny the
favors of God ?
17:9- VERILY THIS QURAN DOES GUIDE TO THAT WHICH IS
MOST STRAIGHT (OR STABLE), and gives the glade
tidings to the believers who work deeds of
righteousness, that they shall have a magnificent
reward.
17:70- We have honored the sons of Adam; provided them
with transport on land and sea; given them for
sustenance things good and pure; AND CONFERRED ON THEM
SPECIAL FAVORS, ABOVE A GREAT PART OF OUR CREATION.
18:26- Say; God knows best how long they stayed; with
Him is (the knowledge of) the secrets of the heavens
and the earth; how clearly He sees; how finely He
hears (everything); they have no protector other than
Him; NOR DOES HE SHARE HIS COMMAND WITH ANY PERSON
WHATSOEVER.
18:110- Say; I am a man like yourselves, (but) the
inspiration has come to me, that your God is one God;
whosoever expect to meet his Lord, let him work
righteousness, and, IN THE WORSHIP OF HIS LORD, ADMIT
NO ONE AS PARTNER.
20:15- Verily the hour is coming My design is to
keep it hidden FOR EVERY SOUL TO RECEIVE ITS REWARD
BY THE MEASURE OF ITS ENDEAVOUR.
22:40- Did not God check one set of people by means
of another, there would surely have been, PULLED DOWN
MONASTRIES, CHURCHES, SYNAGOGUES, AND MOSQUES, in
which the name of God is commemorated in abundance
measure. God will certainly aid those who aid His
cause !
23:14-Then We made the sperms into a clot of congealed
blood; then of that clot We made a (fetus) lump; then
We made out of that lump bones and clothed the bones
with flesh; THEN WE DEVELOPED OUT OF IT ANOTHER
CREATURE. So blessed be God, the best to create.
24:27- O ye who believe! Enter not house other than
your own UNTILL YE HAVE ASKED PERMISION AND SALUTED
THOSE IN THEM. That is best for you, in order that ye
may heed (what is seemly).
25:43- See thou such a one as takes for his god HIS
OWN PASSION OR IMPULSE ? Could thou be a disposer of
affairs for him ?
26:29- (Pharaoh) said; If you did put forward ANY GOD
OTHER THAN ME, I will certainly imprisoned you.
28:19- Thy intention is none other than to become A
POWERFUL VIOLENT MAN IN THE LAND, and not to be one
who sets things right.
28:85- Verily He Who ordained the Quran for you, WILL
BRING THEE BACK TO THE PLACE OF RETURN. Say; My Lord
knows best who it is that brings true guidance, and
who is in manifest error ?
30:30- So set thou thy face steadily and truly to the
Faith: And (establish) Gods handiwork according to
the pattern on which he has created mankind. No change
(let there be) in the work (wrought) by God: THAT IS
THE STANDARD RELIGION, but most among the mankind
understand not.
31:13- Behold; Luqman said to his son by way of
instruction; O MY SON, JOIN NOT IN WORSHIP (OTHERS)
WITH GOD: FOR FALSE WORSHIP (SHIRK) IS INDEED THE
HIGHEST WRONG-DOINGS.
40:17- THAT DAY (DURING THE DIVINE RULE) WILL EVERY
SOUL BE REQUITED (PAID) FOR WHAT IT EARNED (HIS
LABOR). No injustice will there be that Day. For God
is swift in taking account.
40:26- Said, Pharaoh; leave me to slay Moses; and let
him call on his Lord, WHAT I FEAR IS LEST HE SHOULD
CHANGE YOUR RELIGION OR LEST HE SHOULD CAUSE MISCHIEF
TO APPEAR IN THE LAND.
49:10- THE BELIEVERS ARE BUT A SINGLE BROTHERHOOD: So
make peace and reconciliation between your two
(contending) brothers.
59:9- But those who before them, had homes (in
Medina), and had adopted the Faith, show their
affection to such as came to them for refuge, and
entertain no desire in their hearts for things given
to the (later), BUT GIVE THEM PREFERENCE OVER
THEMSELVES, EVEN THOUGH POVERTY WAS THEIR OWN LOT. And
those saved from the covetousness of their own souls,
- they are the one who achieve prosperity.
67:14- SHOULD HE NOT KNOW, - HE THAT CREATED ? And He
is the one that understands the finest mysteries (and)
is well acquainted with them.
71:23- And they have said (to each other), ABANDON NOT
YOUR GODS: ABANDON NEITHE WADD NOR SUWA; NEITHER
YAGUTH NOR YAUQ NOR NASR.
76:3- We showed him the way: WHETHER HE BE GRATEFUL OR
UNGRATEFUL (REST ON HIS WILL).
76:8-9- And they feed, for the love of God, the
indigent, the orphan, and the captive,- Saying; We
feed you for the sake of God alone; NO REWARD DO WE
DESIRE FROM YOU, NOR THANKS.
91:7-10- By the soul, and the proportion and order
given to it; And its enlightenment as to its wrong
and its right; TRULY HE SUCCEEDS THAT PURIFY (DEVELOP)
IT. AND HE FAILS THAT CORRUPT (UNDEVELOPED) IT.
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{Invite (mankind, O Muhammad ) to the Way of your Lord (i.e. Islam) with wisdom (i.e. with the Divine Inspiration and the Qur'an) and fair preaching, and argue with them in a way that is better. Truly, your Lord knows best who has gone astray from His Path, and He is the Best Aware of those who are guided.} (Holy Quran-16:125)
{And who is better in speech than he who [says: "My Lord is Allah (believes in His Oneness)," and then stands straight (acts upon His Order), and] invites (men) to Allah's (Islamic Monotheism), and does righteous deeds, and says: "I am one of the Muslims."} (Holy Quran-41:33)
The prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: "By Allah, if Allah guides one person by you, it is better for you than the best types of camels." [al-Bukhaaree, Muslim]
The prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) also said, "Whoever calls to guidance will have a reward similar to the reward of the one who follows him, without the reward of either of them being lessened at all." [Muslim, Ahmad, Aboo Daawood, an-Nasaa'ee, at-Tirmidhee, Ibn Maajah]
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