Devoting one's life and worship to God alone has been God's
only one message to humanity through all His messengers and
scriptures. We are blessed to live in the era of God's
messenger of the covenant who delivered, purified, and
confirmed the only approved religion by God, Submission
(3:19), along with unveiling the proofs of the divine
authorship of God's final scripture.
[16:36] We have sent a messenger to
every community, saying, "You shall worship GOD,
and avoid idolatry." Subsequently, some were
guided by GOD, while others were committed to straying. Roam
the earth and note the consequences for the rejectors.
One God/One Message/One Religion
[21:25] We did not send any messenger
before you except with the inspiration: "There is
no god except Me; you shall worship Me alone."
Clearly, idol worship, by definition, is the one act that
defies and opposes the worship of God alone. God has defined
and labeled the idol worshipers in the Quran through a
detailed description of their behavior and reactions. In
doing that, the Most Merciful used name-calling to identify
them for a wisdom that cannot be ignored or questioned.
Since the reminder benefits the believers, let's review
the definition of idol worship based on Quran and the
meaning of the word itself. The meaning of the act of idol
worship (Shirk in Arabic) is to consider an entity besides
God as a source of guidance or laws; an entity besides
God takes part or participates in dictating or issuing
religious laws and regulations in addition to or instead of
what God has issued for us. When our actions and choices are
not entirely based on and conforming with the judgment of
the Quran, we are instantly praising another idol and
upholding another source hence our devotion to the One God
shatters (14:30, 7:149 21:98). Another perspective of idol
worship is when an entity or something consumes our mind and
overtake our life so we become devoted worshipers to this
entity or this thing rather than God (3:191, 7:190, 13: 33,
38:30-34).
Idol worship nullifies ALL the righteous works we do
(39:65). Therefore, it is only logical that if we insist
on this practice, no matter how righteous we think we
are, and if we die in this state, we die with empty souls,
and empty balances in our accounts with God. All righteous
deeds are nil in this case, and therefore we place our souls
by our own volition in the farthest position from God, Hell.
This explains the sufficient warnings by God that He
forgives all sins except idol-worship if maintained until
death. If we repent for our idol worship, we validate our
righteous works. If we maintain it until death, we throw
away our righteous deeds to waste and trade in Paradise for
eternal misery.
Idol Worship Nullifies All Work
[39:65] It has been
revealed to you, and to those before you that
if you ever commit idol worship,
all your works will be nullified,
and you will be with the losers.
The Unforgivable Sin
[4:48] GOD does not
forgive idolatry,* but He forgives lesser offenses for
whomever He wills. Anyone who sets up idols beside GOD, has
forged a horrendous offense.
The Unforgivable Sin
[4:116] GOD does not forgive
idol worship (if maintained until death),*
and He forgives lesser offenses for whomever He wills.
Anyone who idolizes any idol beside GOD has
strayed far astray.
*4:48 Idol worship is not forgivable, if maintained
until death. One can always repent from any offense,
including idolatry, before death comes (see 4:18 & 40:66).
[4:18] Not acceptable is
the repentance of those who commit sins until
death comes to them, then say, "Now I repent."
Nor is it acceptable from those who die as disbelievers.
For these, we have prepared a painful retribution.
How do the idol worshipers perceive monotheism and respond
to the one source of guidance? How do they behave, react to
us, and feel about us, believers? We should heed the
guidance in the following demonstrations. The idol
worshipers CONFESS to their idolatry in the following
verses. Their exhibition is self explanatory:
The Greatest Criterion*
[39:45] When
GOD ALONE is mentioned,
the hearts of those who do not believe in the Hereafter
shrink with aversion. But when
others are mentioned beside Him, they become satisfied.*
Quran: The ONLY Source
[17:46] We place shields around their
minds, to prevent them from understanding it, and deafness
in their ears. And when you preach your
Lord, using the Quran alone,* they run away in
aversion.
[98:1] Those who
disbelieved among the people of the scripture, as well as
the idol worshipers, insist on their ways, despite the proof
given to them.*
[4:60] Have you noted
those who claim that they believe in what was revealed to
you, and in what was revealed before you, then uphold
the unjust laws of their idols? They
were commanded to reject such laws. Indeed,
it is the devil's wish to lead them far astray.
[30:31] You shall submit to Him,
reverence Him, observe the Contact Prayers (Salat), and -
whatever you do - do not ever fall into idol
worship.
[30:32] (Do not fall in idol
worship,) like those who divide their religion
into sects; each party rejoicing with what they have.
[39:29] GOD cites the
example of a man who deals with disputing partners
(Hadith), compared to a man who deals with only
one consistent source (Quran). Are they
the same? Praise be to GOD; most of them do
not know.
The Idols as Mediators
A Common Myth
[39:3] Absolutely, the religion shall
be devoted to GOD alone. Those who set up idols
beside Him say, "We idolize them
only to bring us closer to GOD; for they are in a better
position!" GOD will judge them regarding their
disputes. GOD does not guide such liars, disbelievers.
[7:70] They said,
"Did you come to make us worship GOD alone, and
abandon what our parents used to worship? We
challenge you to bring the doom you threaten us with, if you
are truthful."
[10:18] They worship beside GOD idols
that possess no power to harm them or benefit them,
and they say, "These are our
intercessors at GOD!" Say, "Are
you informing GOD of something He does not know in the
heavens or the earth?" Be He glorified. He is the
Most High; far above needing partners.
[2:105] Neither the
disbelievers among the followers of the scripture, nor the
idol worshipers, wish to see any blessings come down to you
from your Lord. However, GOD showers His
blessings upon whomever He chooses. GOD possesses infinite
grace.
[3:186] You will certainly be tested,
through your money and your lives, and you will
hear from those who received the scripture, and from the
idol worshipers, a lot of insult. If you
steadfastly persevere and lead a righteous life, this will
prove the strength of your faith.
[5:82] You will find that
the worst enemies of the believers are the Jews and the idol
worshipers. And you will find that the closest
people in friendship to the believers are those who say, "We
are Christian." This is because they have priests and monks
among them, and they are not arrogant.
[45:7] Woe to every
fabricator, guilty.*
[45:8] The one who hears
GOD's revelations recited to him, then insists arrogantly on
his way, as if he never heard them. Promise him
a painful retribution.
[45:9] When he learns anything about
our revelations, he mocks them. These have incurred a
shameful retribution.
[45:10] Awaiting them is Gehenna.
Their earnings will not help them, nor the idols they had
set up beside GOD. They have incurred a terrible
retribution.
Here is how God used name-calling to distinguish them and
how He condemned them:
[9:28] O you who believe, the
idol worshipers are polluted;
they shall not be permitted to approach the Sacred Masjid
after this year. If you fear loss of income, GOD will shower
you with His provisions, in accordance with His will. GOD is
Omniscient, Most Wise.
[5:60] Say, "Let me tell
you who are worse in the sight of GOD: those
who are condemned by GOD after incurring His wrath until He
made them (as despicable as) monkeys and pigs,
and the idol worshipers. These are
far worse, and farther from the right path."
[98:6] Those who disbelieved
among the people of the scripture, and the idol
worshipers, have incurred the fire of Gehenna forever.
They are the worst creatures.
Idol Worship: The Mother of All Evil
[14:30] They set up
rivals to rank with GOD and to divert others from His
path. Say, "Enjoy for awhile; your
final destiny is Hell."
[22:30] Those who reverence the rites
decreed by GOD have deserved a good reward at their Lord.
All livestock is made lawful for your food, except for those
specifically prohibited for you. You shall avoid
the abomination of idol worship, and avoid bearing false
witness.
[9:3] A proclamation
is herein issued from GOD and His messenger to all the
people on the great day of pilgrimage, that GOD
has disowned the idol worshipers, and so did His messenger.
Thus, if you repent, it would be better for you. But
if you turn away, then know that you can never escape from
GOD. Promise those who disbelieve a painful retribution.
Reflecting on all the above, we see that God has
specifically detailed for us the abomination of idol
worship and its consequences. He has
also labeled the idol worshipers as the worst
creatures and He has condemned them.. We conclude
that idol worship is a threat for the one basic
foundation of salvation, believing in God, and if
maintained until death, we are doomed, no room or
even a glimpse of hope. This is a serious matter. A
matter of eternal bliss or eternal Hell. The
intelligent ones should indeed analyze all the
details concerning this practice in the Quran so
they can attain salvation, warn others against it,
and take the necessary and applicable
recommendations by God. The ignorant ones,
egoistically, play with fire, don't take heed, and
jeopardize their destiny everyday without
perceiving. On the day of Judgment, they will swear
they were never idol worshipers (
6:23 -
Their disastrous response will
be, "By GOD our Lord, we never were idol
worshipers."* - *6:23 Now and
forever, the idol worshipers vehemently deny
that they are idolaters.). They will
definitely be disowned by God, His messengers and
all of their idols (9:3, 25:30, 2:165).
The name-calling and the characterization that God
has put together for the idol worshipers in
the Quran, is for the sole purpose of teaching us
who an idol worshiper is. God has provided us with
what we can consider as CONFESSIONS of idol worship
in order to serve us and guide us.. Once
CONFESSIONS are made clear, and WHEN we are in a
position that we must judge, choose the right
recommendations by God, and validate and support the
truth, it is foolish to claim that we are not to use
the label of "idol worship" or to pin point the idol
worshiping proposals and views. The name calling or
labeling in this case could serve as a wake call for
some, a reminder for others, and a promotion of the
truth in all cases.
[9:17] The idol
worshipers are not to frequent the masjids
of GOD, while confessing
their disbelief. These have
nullified their works, and they will abide forever
in Hell.
If we are not to take the idol worshipers as allies,
we are to judge them based on their confessions,
label them, and warn others against them. If we to
disregard them, we have to judge them based on their
confessions, label them in order to disregard them.
If we are not to worship with them, we must judge
them based on their confessions, label them to
refrain from worshiping with them. If we are to be
stern with them, we have to judge them based on
their confessions, label them to be stern with them.
If we are not to marry from them, we have to judge
them based on their confessions, label them and
avoid marrying from them. If we are not supposed to
ask God for their forgiveness or stand on their
graves, we have to judge them based on their
confessions, label them, so we adhere to God's
commands. More important, if we have to denounce and
disown their proposals and promote the truth, we
have to judge them based on their confessions, label
them to denounce their idol worshiping proposals.
The examples can go on and on, and name-calling and
labeling are a part of judging, and dealing with the
idol worshipers. It is an essential procedure in
promoting the truth and disowning idolatry. How else
should we call them and what term should we use to
categorize the act of idol worship except by using
the term "idol worship"? All God's messengers
denounced idol worshipers and their idol worshiping
acts by recognizing them and name-calling them as
"idol worshipers". There is no other name for such
act. We have been disowning the Sunnies, the
Shiites, and all religious sects by labeling and
name-calling their acts as "idol worship". And
history will repeat itself until the end of the
world, and denouncing "idol worship" will always be
the obligation of any truthful submitter, and the
most powerful reminder a true believer would
appreciate and benefit from.
[6:106] Follow what is
revealed to you from your Lord, there is no god
except He, and disregard the idol
worshipers.
[15:94] Therefore,
carry out the orders given to you, and disregard the
idol worshipers.
Masjids that Oppose God and His Messenger*
[9:107] There are those who
abuse the masjid by practicing idol worship, dividing the
believers, and providing comfort to those who oppose GOD and
His messenger. They solemnly swear: "Our
intentions are honorable!" GOD bears witness that they are
liars.
Do Not Pray in Those Masjids
[9:108] You shall never
pray in such a masjid. A masjid that is
established on the basis of righteousness from the first day
is more worthy of your praying therein. In
it, there are people who love to be purified. GOD loves
those who purify themselves.
[9:109] Is one who
establishes his building on the basis of reverencing GOD and
to gain His approval better, or one who establishes
his building on the brink of a crumbling cliff, that falls
down with him into the fire of Hell? GOD does not guide the
transgressing people.
Run For Your Life
[58:22] You will not find
people who believe in GOD and the Last Day befriending those
who oppose GOD and His messenger, even if they were their
parents, or their children, or their siblings, or their
tribe. For these, He decrees faith into their hearts,
and supports them with inspiration from Him, and admits them
into gardens with flowing streams wherein they abide
forever. GOD is pleased with them, and
they are pleased with Him. These are the party of GOD. Most
assuredly, GOD's party are the winners.
[5:54] O you who believe, if
you revert from your religion, then GOD will substitute in
your place people whom He loves and who love Him.
They will be kind with the believers, stern with
the disbelievers, and will strive in the cause of GOD
without fear of any blame. Such is
GOD's blessing; He bestows it upon whomever He wills. GOD is
Bounteous, Omniscient.
Do Not Marry Idol Worshipers
[2:221] Do not marry
idolatresses unless they believe; a believing woman is
better than an idolatress, even if you like her.
Nor shall you give your daughters in marriage to
idolatrous men, unless they believe. A
believing man is better than an idolater, even if you like
him. These invite to Hell, while GOD invites to
Paradise and forgiveness, as He wills. He
clarifies His revelations for the people, that they may take
heed.
You Shall Disown God's Enemies
Abraham Disowned His Father
[9:113] Neither the prophet,
nor those who believe shall ask forgiveness for the idol
worshipers, even if they were their nearest of kin, once
they realize that they are destined for Hell.
[9:84] You shall not observe
the funeral prayer for any of them when he dies, nor shall
you stand at his grave. They have disbelieved in GOD and
His messenger, and died in a state of wickedness.
[6:78] When he saw the sun
rising, he said, "This must be my Lord. This is the
biggest." But when it set, he said, "O my people, I
denounce your idolatry.
Abraham: An Example
[60:4] A good example has been set
for you by Abraham and those with him. They said to their
people, "We disown you and the idols that you
worship besides GOD. We denounce
you, and you will see nothing from us except animosity and
hatred until you believe in GOD ALONE."*
However, a mistake was commited by Abraham when he said to
his father, "I will pray for your forgiveness,** but I
possess no power to protect you from GOD." "Our Lord, we
trust in You, and submit to You; to You is the final
destiny.
Even though we are all born with the natural instinct of
monotheism, keeping up with the straight path of monotheism
is against our human egoistic and argumentative nature. God
stated the following matter of fact in 12:106, and we only
have no choice but to run for our life and salvation, and
strive to kill any traces of idolatry within us, hoping to
die while we are on the straight monotheistic path (2:132,
3:102). This has been the warning of all messengers,
including God's messenger of the covenant. We are strictly
following the messenger, heeding his guidance, honoring his
teachings, and taking his words, message, and
warnings seriously by believing in One God,
promoting the only divine and authenticated source, and by
denouncing all the idol worshiping acts and proposals.
The Majority of Believers Destined for Hell
[12:106] The majority
of those who believe in GOD do not do so without
committing idol worship.
_________________________
"Our Lord, grant
us steadfastness, strengthen our foothold, and support
us against the disbelieving people." [The Final
Testament, 2:250]
"Our Lord, let not our hearts waver, now that You
have guided us. Shower us with Your mercy; You are
the Grantor. [Final Testament, 3:8]
"Our Lord, do not condemn us if we forget or make
mistakes. Our Lord, and protect us from blaspheming
against You, like those before us have done. Our
Lord, protect us from sinning until it becomes too
late for us to repent. Pardon us, forgive us, and
have mercy on us. You are our Lord and Master. Grant
us victory over the disbelieving people." [Final
Testament, 2:286]
"Our Lord, we have heard a caller calling to faith
and proclaiming: `You shall believe in your Lord,'
and we have believed. Our Lord, forgive us our
transgressions, remit our sins, and let us die as
righteous believers.
[Final Testament, 3:193]
Peaceful
Friday, salaam and God bless you.
