Shirk (Arabic شرك) is the Islamic concept of the sin of polytheism specifically, but in a more general way refers to serving anything other than the One God; i.e. wealth, lust, the ego, etc. It is the vice which is opposed to the virtue of tawhid, literally "declaring [that which is] one", often translated into the English theological term "monotheism." The word is not related to the English verb "shirk" related to neglect.
Contents [hide]
1 Etymology
2 Definition
2.1 Qur'an
2.2 Theology
3 Categories of Shirk
4 See also
[edit]
Etymology
The word shirk is derived from the Arabic root ShRK (ش ر ك). This consonantal root has the general meaning of to share (Nadwi - Vocabulary of the Qur'an). In the context of the Qur'an, the particular sense of "sharing as an equal partner" is usually understood, so that polytheism is "attributing a partner to God". In the Qur'an shirk and the related word (plural Stem IV active participle) mushrikun (مشركون) "those who commit shirk" often clearly refers to the enemies of Islam (as in verse 9.5) but sometimes it also refers to erring Muslims (verse 6.122).
[edit]
Definition
Shirk is defined in various ways.
[edit]
Qur'an
When the Qur'an describes shirk it frequently seems to be referring to and disparaging the Christian belief in the divinity of Jesus (4:171). Islamic commentators on the Qur'an have emphasized that pre-Islamic Arabic idolatry made a number of godlings (most memorably the three goddesses Manat, Lat and Uzza) equal associates of Allah (as the Qur'an discusses in the 53rd surat) and the word mushrikun is often translated into English as polytheists. Other forms of shirk, which are debatable, include the worship of wealth and other material objects. This is pointed in the Qur'an in one of the story of the Children of Israel, when they take calf made of gold for worship (7:148-150). Yet another form of shirk is to revere a leader (religious or not) beyond limits, as mentioned in (9:31).
[edit]
Theology
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In a theological context one commits shirk by associating some lesser being with Allah. This sin is committed if one imagines that there is some other spirit than Allah whom it is suitable to worship. Many Islamic theologians extend the sense of worship to include praying to some other being to intercede with Allah on one's behalf, rather than taking one's case to Allah Himself. The limits of the concept of worship are quite elastic and theologians often describe excessive veneration of some artifact here on earth as shirk.
Atheism is described as shirk because it denies the position of Allah as the unique creator and sustainer of the universe (tawhid ar-rububiyya, the unity of creation). In the same way, the act of shirk is extended to include such things as the notion that Allah possesses humanlike anthropomorphic qualities as well as acts of worship or piety whose inward goal is pride, caprice, or a desire for public admiration.
Shirk is the worst injustice, sin, or wrong-doing. Abu Malik commented about what Allah said:
[وَالْفِتْنَةُ أَشَدُّ مِنَ الْقَتْلِ]
(And Al-Fitnah is worse than killing.) Meaning what you (disbelievers) are committing is much worse than killing. Abu Al-`Aliyah, Mujahid, Sa`id bin Jubayr, `Ikrimah, Al-Hasan, Qatadah, Ad-Dahhak and Ar-Rabi` bin Anas said that what Allah said:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mushrik
So would you look at that, i would be a sinner to Muslim people. At least back them in the 6th century. Cool.
Contents [hide]
1 Etymology
2 Definition
2.1 Qur'an
2.2 Theology
3 Categories of Shirk
4 See also
[edit]
Etymology
The word shirk is derived from the Arabic root ShRK (ش ر ك). This consonantal root has the general meaning of to share (Nadwi - Vocabulary of the Qur'an). In the context of the Qur'an, the particular sense of "sharing as an equal partner" is usually understood, so that polytheism is "attributing a partner to God". In the Qur'an shirk and the related word (plural Stem IV active participle) mushrikun (مشركون) "those who commit shirk" often clearly refers to the enemies of Islam (as in verse 9.5) but sometimes it also refers to erring Muslims (verse 6.122).
[edit]
Definition
Shirk is defined in various ways.
[edit]
Qur'an
When the Qur'an describes shirk it frequently seems to be referring to and disparaging the Christian belief in the divinity of Jesus (4:171). Islamic commentators on the Qur'an have emphasized that pre-Islamic Arabic idolatry made a number of godlings (most memorably the three goddesses Manat, Lat and Uzza) equal associates of Allah (as the Qur'an discusses in the 53rd surat) and the word mushrikun is often translated into English as polytheists. Other forms of shirk, which are debatable, include the worship of wealth and other material objects. This is pointed in the Qur'an in one of the story of the Children of Israel, when they take calf made of gold for worship (7:148-150). Yet another form of shirk is to revere a leader (religious or not) beyond limits, as mentioned in (9:31).
[edit]
Theology
To meet Wikipedia's quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup.
Please discuss this issue on the talk page, or replace this tag with a more specific message. Editing help is available.
This article has been tagged since May 2006.
In a theological context one commits shirk by associating some lesser being with Allah. This sin is committed if one imagines that there is some other spirit than Allah whom it is suitable to worship. Many Islamic theologians extend the sense of worship to include praying to some other being to intercede with Allah on one's behalf, rather than taking one's case to Allah Himself. The limits of the concept of worship are quite elastic and theologians often describe excessive veneration of some artifact here on earth as shirk.
Atheism is described as shirk because it denies the position of Allah as the unique creator and sustainer of the universe (tawhid ar-rububiyya, the unity of creation). In the same way, the act of shirk is extended to include such things as the notion that Allah possesses humanlike anthropomorphic qualities as well as acts of worship or piety whose inward goal is pride, caprice, or a desire for public admiration.
Shirk is the worst injustice, sin, or wrong-doing. Abu Malik commented about what Allah said:
[وَالْفِتْنَةُ أَشَدُّ مِنَ الْقَتْلِ]
(And Al-Fitnah is worse than killing.) Meaning what you (disbelievers) are committing is much worse than killing. Abu Al-`Aliyah, Mujahid, Sa`id bin Jubayr, `Ikrimah, Al-Hasan, Qatadah, Ad-Dahhak and Ar-Rabi` bin Anas said that what Allah said:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mushrik
So would you look at that, i would be a sinner to Muslim people. At least back them in the 6th century. Cool.
