Shirk (polytheism)
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Shirk (Arabic شرك) is the Islamic concept of the sin of polytheism. It is the vice which is opposed to the virtue of tawhid, the Islamic word for monotheism.
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Etymology
The word shirk is derived from the Arabic root ShRK (ش ر ك). This consonantal root has the general meaning of to share (Nadwi - Vocabulary of the Holy Qur'an). In the context of the Qur'an, the particular sense of "sharing as an equal partner" is usually understood, so that polytheism is "attributing a partner to God". In the Qur'an shirk and the related word (plural Stem IV active participle) mushrikun (مشركون) "those who commit shirk" often clearly refers to the enemies of Islam (as in verse 9.5) but sometimes it also refers to erring Muslims (verse 6.122).
Definition
Shirk is defined in varous ways.
Qur'an
When the Qur'an describes shirk it frequently seems to be referring to and disparaging the Christian dogma of the divinity of Jesus (4:171). Islamic commentators on the Qur'an have emphasized that pre-Islamic Arabic idolatry made a number of godlings (most memorably the three goddesses Manat, Lat and Uzza) equal associates of Allah (as the Qur'an discusses in the 53rd surat) and the word mushrikun is often translated into English as polytheists. Other forms of shirk, which are debatable, include the worship of wealth and other material objects. This is pointed in the Qur'an in one of the story of the Children of Israel, when they take calf made of gold for worship (7:148-150). Yet another form of shirk is to revere a leader (religious or not) beyond limits, as mentioned in (9:31).
Theology
In a theological context one commits shirk by associating some lesser being with Allah. This sin is committed if one imagines that there is some other spirit than Allah whom it is suitable to worship. Many Islamic theologians extend the sense of worship to include praying to some other being to intercede with Allah on one's behalf, rather than taking one's case to Allah Himself. The limits of the concept of worship are quite elastic and theologians often describe excessive veneration of some artifact here on earth as shirk.
Atheism is described as shirk because it denies the position of Allah as the unique creator and sustainer of the universe (tawhid ar-rububiyya, the unity of creation). In the same way, the act of shirk is extended to include such things as the notion that Allah possesses humanlike anthropomorphic qualities as well as acts of worship or piety whose inward goal is pride, caprice, or a desire for public admiration.
Shirk is the worst injustice, sin, or wrong-doing. Abu Malik commented about what Allah said:
[وَالْفِتْنَةُ أَشَدُّ مِنَ الْقَتْلِ]
(And Al-Fitnah is worse than killing.) Meaning what you (disbelievers) are committing is much worse than killing. Abu Al-`Aliyah, Mujahid, Sa`id bin Jubayr, `Ikrimah, Al-Hasan, Qatadah, Ad-Dahhak and Ar-Rabi` bin Anas said that what Allah said:
Categories of Shirk
Derived from the Qur'an and the Prophetic tradition(Sunnah), there are 4 main categories of Shirk in Islam.
1. Shirk in Ruboobeeyah (Lordship)
This category of Shirk refers to either the belief that others share Allaah's Lordship over creation as His equal or near equal, or to the belief that there exists no Lord over creation at all.
(A) Shirk by Association
This is the shirk concerned with Associating 'others' with Allah.Among some Muslim people, Shirk in Ruboobeeyah is manifested in their belief that the souls of saints and other righteous humans can affect the affairs of this world, even after their deaths. Their souls, it is believed, can fulfill one's needs, remove calamities and aid whoever calls on them. Therefore, grave worshippers assign to human souls the divine ability to cause events in this life which in fact only Allaah can cause.
(B) Shirk by Negation
This sub-category represents the various philosophies and ideologies which deny the existence of God either explicitly or implicitly. That is, in some cases God's non-existence is stated (Atheism), while in other cases His existence is claimed, but the way in which He is conceived actually denies His existence (Pantheism).
2. Shirk in al-Asmaa was-Sifaat (the Names and Attributes of Allah)
Shirk in this category includes both the common pagan practice of giving Allaah the attributes of His creation as well as the act of giving created beings Allaah's names and attributes.
(A) Shirk by Humanization
In this aspect of Shirk in al-Asmaa was-Sifaat, Allaah is given the form and qualities of human beings and animals. Due to man's superiority over animals, the human form is more commonly used by idolaters to represent God in creation. Consequently, the image of the Creator is often painted, moulded or carved in the shape of human beings possessing the physical features of those who worship them.
(B) Shirk by Deification
This form of Shirk in al-Asmaa was-Sifaat relates to cases where created beings or things are given or claim Allaah's names or His attributes. For example, it was the practice of the ancient Arabs to worship idols whose names were derived from the names of Allaah. Their main three idols were: al-Laat taken from Allaah's name al-Elaah, al-'Uzza taken from al-'Azeez and al-Manaat taken from al-Mannaan. During the Prophet Muhammad's era there was also a false prophet in a region of Arabia called Yamaamah, who took the name Rahmaan which only belongs to Allaah.
3. Shirk In al-'Ebaadah (Worship)
In this category of Shirk, acts of worship are directed to other than God and the reward for worship is sought from the creation instead of the Creator. As in the case of the previous categories, Shirk in al-'Ebaadah has two main aspects.
(A) Ash-Shirk al-Akbar (Major Shirk):
This form of Shirk occurs when any act of worship is directed to other than Allaah. It represents the most obvious form of idolatry which the prophets were specifically sent by Allaah to call the masses of mankind away from. This concept is supported by Allaah's statement in the Qur'aan:
(B) Ash-Shirk al-Asghar (Minor Shirk):
Minor Shirk
Mabmood ibn Lubayd reported, "Allaah's messenger (saws) said: "The thing I fear for you the most is ash-Shirk al-Asghar (minor shirk)." The companions asked "Oh! messenger of Allaah, what is minor Shirk?" He replied "Ar-Riyaa (showing off), for verily Allaah will say on the Day of Resurrection when people are receiving their rewards, 'Go to those for whom you were showing off in the material world and see if you can find any reward from them."
Secret Shirk
Mahmood ibn Lubayd also said, "The Prophet (saws) came out and announced, 'O people, beware of secret Shirk!' The people asked, 'O messenger of Allaah, what is secret Shirk?' He replied, 'When a man gets up to pray and strives to beautify his prayer because people are looking at him; that is secret Shirk."
4. Ar-Riyaa
Riyaa is the practise of performing any of the various forms of worship in order to be seen and praised by people. This sin destroys all the benefits that lie in righteous deeds and brings on the one who commits it a serious punishment.