Most of the ayat in the Qur’an that are directed to non-Muslims, are directed to mushrikeen–those who commit shirk. In fact, Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) spells out, in painful detail, just how dangerous shirk is. Read and remember.
Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) says, in Surah Nisaa:
Translation: Verily, Allah forgives not that partners should be set up with him in worship, but He forgives except that (anything else) to whom He pleases, and whoever sets up partners with Allah in worship, he has indeed invented a tremendous sin. (Surah Nisaa, verse 48)1
What does this means? It means if you commit an act of shirk and die on it, Allah will punish you for it. What else does it mean? Allah may forgive any sin smaller then shirk. Anything in Islam is potentially forgivable. Even murder. Subhanallah.
Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) says, in Surah Maida:
Translation: Verily, whosoever sets up partners in worship with Allah, then Allah has forbidden Paradise for him, and the Fire will be his abode. And for the Zalimun (polytheists and wrongdoers) there are no helpers. (Surah Maida, verse 72)1
That’s right! It’s not “Oh, we’ll enter the Hellfire for a few days, then we’re cool” (as the Jews used to say); rather, entrance into Hellfire will be permanent, as in forever, as in an infinite number of days. May Allah protect us.
One act of shirk is so evil that it destroys a lifetime of sins. No other sin is like that. Check out what Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) says in Surah Zumar:
Translation: And indeed it has been revealed to you [the Prophet], as it was to those [prophets] before you: “If you join others in worship with Allah, then surely all your deeds will be in vain, and you will certainly be among the khasirin.” (Surah Zumar, verse 65)1
What’s more, tafseer of this verse reveals the following:
- The verse is addressed to the Prophet (صلي الله عليه وسلم). Nobody has more good deeds then he does. And if his good deeds can be waived…
- His past and present sins were forgiven. But still, after all that, if he commits shirk…
- Emphasis. Just like if you said to someone “look, I’m telling you”, Allah uses emphasis in this verse.
- People before you. They are mentioned here for emphasis.
- Prophets can’t commit major sins. So why was this verse revealed to him? To make us understand the gravity of shirk.
And remember, even though this verse was addressed to the Prophet (صلي الله عليه وسلم), it was intended for us to understand and follow as well.
Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) says, in Surah Tawbah:
Translation: It is not (proper) for the Prophet and those who believe to ask Allah’s Forgiveness for the Mushrikun (polytheists, idolaters, pagans, disbelievers in the Oneness of Allah) even though they be of kin, after it has become clear to them that they are the dwellers of the Fire (because they died in a state of disbelief). (Surah Tawbah, verse 113)1
This verse was revealed in the context of the Prophet’s uncle, Abu Talib, who protected him until his death. The Prophet said: “I will ask forgiveness for you until I am forbidden to do so,” and this verse came down.2
Now think about that verse. The person who commits zina loses his head, but they bring his body in, pray his janaazah, ask Allah to forgive him, and then bury him.
But not so for shirk. You die on shirk, you die a non-Muslim.
May Allah protect us all from the evils of shirk, in our intentions and our actions, ameen.
(1) Khan, Muhsin, trans. “Quranic Realm.” Islamic Network. 12 May 2006 <http://quran.islamicnetwork.com/>.
(2) Al-Mubarakpuri, Safi-Ur-Rahman. Ar-Raheeq Al-Mukhtum (the Sealed Nectar). 1st ed. Riyadh: Maktaba Dar-Us-Salam, 1995. 123-124.
(3) Yasir Qadhi. Lecture. AlMaghrib. Light of Guidance. University of Toronto, Toronto. March 2006.