Question 6
Explain how Shirk negates the principle of Tawḥīd.
Observation
This question demanded that the candidates mention the principles of Tawḥīd with a view to explain how Shirk negates those principles. Generally the candidates’ performance was very good. The expected points were as follows:
Shirk (polytheism) is associating partner (s) with Allah. (Introduction).
- Getting involved in Shirk means working against the belief in the Oneness of Allah.
- There are two types of Shirk - Major and Minor.
- Involvement in major Shirk completely takes one out of the fold of Islam.
- Examples of major Shirk include Idol- worship, Hero worship and Ancestral worship.k
- A person involved in Shirk is known as a Mushrik i.e. a Polytheist.
- A Mushrik neither prays nor encourages Ṣalāt observance.
- He does not also believe in the institution of Zakāt.
- The institutions of Hajj and Ṣawm will also mean nothing to a Mushrik.
- Examples of minor Shirk include arrogance and showing off.
- A minor Shirk may lead to major Shirk if not timely checked.
- A Mushrik will end up in Hell fire if he/she dies as a polytheist.
- This is because he pretends not to or does not believe in the existence of Allah.
- The non pardonable sin before Allah is polytheism (Q.4: 48).
- Shirk is a grievous sin in Islam.
- Sūratul- Kāfirūn is decisive on idol-worship (Q.109).
- Shirk is regarded as the highest form of hypocrisy in Islam (Q.31.13).
- One should disobey his parents if they invite him to practice Shirk.
- The opposite of Shirk is Tawḥīd (Monotheism).