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What is the Shirk of the Polytheist to whom the Prophet(saws) was sent?

Fatawa Arkan-ul-Islaam
(Islamic Verdicts o­n the Pillars of Islaam)
Sheikh Muhammad Saalih Uthaymeen {rahimallah}
Vol. 1 Pgs. 32-35

Question:

What is the Shirk of the Polytheist to whom the Prophet ( صلى الله عليه وسلم ) was sent?

Answer:

Regarding the Shirk of the polytheist to whom the Prophet ( صلى الله عليه وسلم ) was sent, it is not Shirk in Rububiyyah {Lordship}, because the Noble Qur’an proves that they o­nly would commit Shirk in matters of worship.  As for Lordship, they used to believe that Allah Alone is the Lord, and that He answers the supplication of the oppressed, and that it is He Who removes evil, and other such things Allah mentioned that they used to confirm about the soverignty of worshipping other deities besides Allah and this is a form of Shirk which removes o­ne from the pale of Islam, because Tawheed means according to what is understood from the word to affirm the o­neness of something, and Allah, the Most Blessed, the Most High has rights which must be affirmed to Him Alone.  These rights may be divided into 3 catergories:

1.) Rights of Dominion.
2.) Rights of Worship.
3.) Rights of Names and Attributes.

For this reason, the scholars have divided Tawheed into 3 catergories: Tawheed Ar-Rububiyyah, Tawheed Al-Asma’ was-Sifaat and Tawheed Al-’Ibaadah (i.e., Tawheed Al-Uluhiyyah).

The polytheist used to worship others besides Allah.  Allah the Most Blessed, the Most High has said:

“Worship Allah and join none with Him {in Worship};” {Surah An-Nisa 4:36}

that is, in worshipping Him.  And Allah, the Most High says:

“Verily, whoever sets up partners (in worship) with Allah, then Allah has forbidden Paradise to him, and the Fire will be his abode.  And for the Zalimun (polytheist and wrongdoers) there are no helpers. {Surah Al-Ma’idaah 5:72}

He, the Most High says:

“Verily, Allah forgives not that partners should be set up with Him (in worship), but He forgives except that (anything else) to whom He wills. {Surah An-Nisa 4:48}

He, the Most High says:

“And your Lord said:  Invoke Me (i.e., believe in My o­neness {Islamic Monotheism} and ask Me for anything), I will respond to your (invocation).  Verily, those who scorn My worship (i.e., do not invoke Me, and do not believe in My o­neness, (Islamic Monostheism)) they will surely enter Hell in humiliation” {Surah Ghaafir 40:60}

Allah, the Most High says in Surah Al-Ikhlaas:

Say (O Muhammad (alayhee salatul wasalaam) to these Mushrikun and Kaafirun): O Al-Kaafirun (disbelievers in Allah, in His o­neness, in His Angels, in His Books, in His Messengers, in the Day of Resurrection, and in Al-Qadar)!  I worship not that which you worship, Nor will you worship that which I worship.  And I shall worship not worship that which your worshipping. Nor will you worship that which I worship.  To you be your religion, and to me my religion (Islamic Monotheism).” {Surah Al-Kaafirun}

And by saying in Surah Al-Ikhlaas I mean Ikhlaas (sincerity) in deeds, for it is the Surah of Ikhlaas in deeds even though it is called Surah Al-Kaafirun.  In reality a Surah of Ikhlaas in deeds, just as Surah:

“Say: He is Allah , o­ne” {Surah Al-Ikhlaas 112:1}

is a Surah of Ikhlaas in knowledge and belief.  And Allah is the Granter of Success.

From calgaryislam.com