This document discusses the concept of shirk, or polytheism, which is considered the greatest sin in Islam. It defines shirk as giving to others the rights that belong only to God, such as worship, lordship or divine attributes. Some examples given of shirk include believing other deities have power over blessings, prostrating to or making supplications to others besides God. The document warns that shirk nullifies good deeds, prohibits entry to paradise, and is unforgivable if one dies without repenting from it. Shirk is categorized based on its relation to tawheed (monotheism) and whether it is apparent or hidden.

2.  ABDUL MATEEN
 HASSAAN ARIF

3. The Greatest Sin!

4. Meaning of Shirk:
 Opposite of Tawheed is Shirk
 Negation of elements of Tawheed is Shirk
 Shirk in essence means, giving Allah’s rights to
other than He.

5. Sahih International: And said, 'Never leave
your gods and never leave Wadd or Suwa‘.
[ Nuh :: 071.023 ]

6. Therefore, shirk involves believing in a
partner along with Allah. Such a ‘partner’
could be in lordship or in worship or in
attributes.
The essence of shirk involves giving Allah’s
rights to other that Him.

7. To therefore claim that a certain object or
deity has the power to bless one with one’s
needs is shirk.
To prostrate or make du’a to other than
Allah is also shirk.

8. Allah says:
“ So do not attribute to Allah equals
while you know (that there is
nothing similar to him).”
{al-Baqrah (2): 22}

9. Dangers of Shirk
 Shirk is the only unforgivable sin in the sight of
Allah,
“Indeed, Allah does not forgive association
with Him, but He forgives what is less than
that for whomever He wills.”
{an-Nisa (4): 116}
If a person dies practicing shirk, or not having
repented from it, they will not be forgiven

10.  Shirk prohibits a person from entering
Paradise,
“Indeed, he who associates others with
Allah – Allah has forbidden him
Paradise.”
{al-Maa’idah (5): 72}

11.  Shirk is so evil that it destroys all of a person’s
good deeds,
“And it was already revealed to you and to
those before you that if you should
associate (anything) with Allah, your work
would surely become worthless, and you
would surely be among the losers.”
{az-Zumar (39): 65}

12. Sahih International: Indeed, Allah does not forgive
association with Him, but He forgives what is less
than that for whom He wills. And he who
associates others with Allah has certainly gone far
astray.
[ an Nisa :: 004.116 ]

13. The Prophet (S.A.W) said
“Do not commit shirk with Allah,
even if you are cut into pieces, or
burnt.” (Ibn Maajah)

14. Categories of Shirk:
 Shirk is not of one type and can be put into
different categories which each look at shirk
from a different view:
First:
A category that looks at shirk in relation to tawheed.
Second:
A category that looks at shirk from its various levels.
Third:
Apparent or hidden shirk.

15. THE END