Unknowingly associating partners with God?
Hidden shirk (polytheism) is a subtle form of associating partners with God. It can manifest in many ways, such as seeking praise from others for one's religious deeds or putting one's trust in someone or something other than God. It's important to be aware of hidden shirk and to strive to purify one's intentions. This can be done by focusing on the pleasure of God and by seeking His guidance.
We have already reviewed the basics of Polytheism (shirk) which include idols and other Gods which are obvious (if you have not read this article, you can do so by clicking here). In this section we will look at the various forms of Shirk that have existed since ancient times that do not visually manifest themself, but rather are a hidden forms. We will also look at more modern forms of Shirk which often slip the net.Â
What did our beloved Prophet Muhammad ï·º tell us about hidden shirk?
There are many hadiths about hidden shirk. One of the most well-known is the hadith in which the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:
“Shall I not inform you about that which I fear for you more than the Dajjal?” We said, “Of course, O Messenger of Allah!” He said, “Hidden Shirk; A person stands up to pray and beautifies the prayer for those who are watching him.”
This hadith highlights the importance of sincerity in our worship. We should worship Allah out of love and devotion, not for the sake of praise or recognition from others. If the intention alone being incorrect during prayers constitutes a grave sin, then truly this is a matter of great caution. One could easily slip into the nets of shirk without realising.Â
Another hadith about hidden shirk is the one in which the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:
“The most beloved deeds to Allah are those done consistently, even if they are small.”
This hadith teaches us that we should focus on doing good deeds consistently, even if they are small, rather than seeking to do big deeds for the sake of show.
Hidden shirk is a subtle but dangerous form of associating partners with Allah. It can negate our good deeds and prevent us from entering Paradise. We should be aware of the signs of hidden shirk in our lives and strive to purify our intentions.
What does the Quran tell us about shirk
The Quran is the central religious text of Islam. It is believed by Muslims to be the word of God, revealed to the Prophet Muhammad. The Quran contains many verses about shirk, which is the sin of associating partners with God.
Shirk is considered to be a major sin in Islam. The Quran warns that those who commit shirk will be punished severely in the afterlife. However, the Quran also offers forgiveness for those who repent of their sins.
Some specific verses about shirk include:
- Quran 4:48: “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 strayed far.”
- Quran 5:72: “Indeed, those who disbelieve in Allah and His messengers and wish to separate Allah from His servants – We will prolong for them a painful punishment.”
- Quran 6:14: “And if you should be in doubt about what We have sent down to Our servant, then produce a Surah like it and call upon your witnesses besides Allah, if you should be truthful.”
These verses emphasize the seriousness of shirk and the importance of avoiding it. Muslims believe that shirk is a major sin that can negate all of their good deeds.
The Quran also offers forgiveness for those who repent of their sins. This is important to remember, as it shows that Allah is merciful and forgiving. However, repentance must be sincere and must include a commitment to not commit shirk again.
The Quran also contains many verses that emphasize the importance of worshipping Allah alone. For example, in Quran 39:66, Allah says, “Say, ‘Indeed, my prayer, my sacrifice, my life, and my death are for Allah, Lord of the worlds.'” This verse makes it clear that all of our actions, including our sacrifices, should be dedicated to Allah alone.
Modern Day Polytheism: The Hidden Enemy
Social Media: The Shirk Fuel
Social media can also be a breeding ground for hidden shirk. This is because it can be easy to seek praise and validation from others for our accomplishments and possessions. For example, we might post pictures of ourselves at the gym or of our new car, hoping to get likes and comments from our friends. This can lead us to focus on pleasing others rather than on pleasing Allah.
It is important to be aware of the dangers of hidden shirk and to strive to purify our intentions. We should use social media to connect with others and to share our faith, but we should not seek praise or validation from others. We should focus on pleasing Allah and on using our time and talents to serve Him.
Jobs, Clothes, Cars & Houses
Hidden shirk can easily creep into our lives when we prioritize material possessions and social status.
Jobs: Let’s say someone chooses a career path solely based on the prestige or salary, rather than its ethical implications or alignment with their values. If they work in an industry that promotes harmful content or exploits others, they may be indirectly associating partners with God by prioritizing worldly gain over His pleasure.
Clothes, Cars, and Houses: Similarly, the desire to own expensive clothes, cars, or houses can be driven by a desire for social approval and admiration. This can lead to a subtle form of associating partners with God, as we seek validation from others instead of focusing on pleasing Him.
It’s important to remember that Allah is Ar-Razzaq, the Sustainer. He provides for all of our needs. When we seek material possessions for the sole purpose of impressing others, we are essentially saying that we don’t trust Allah to provide for us.
This doesn’t mean we shouldn’t strive to improve our lives. However, our intentions should be pure. We should seek to use our wealth and possessions to help others and to serve Allah. To get an understanding of how to acquire and utilise assets without playing with shirk, please read our related article ‘What is Tawheed‘.
May Allah guide us all to avoid hidden shirk and to focus on pleasing Him in all that we do.
