Similarity between the old and new "association with God"
The association: is to associate someone or something with God; so that man will worship and serve such idol or patron together with God.
The association or sharing others with God Almighty was in the past similar to the present association and idolatry today.
Their names, ways and symbols are the same with the ancient Children of Israel in the past, as is it with Jews, Muslims and Christians now.
Comparison between some symbols of such association:
It is mentioned in the Book of Leviticus, chapter 26: 1; God – be glorified – said:
"I am the Lord your God. You shall make for yourselves no idols, neither shall you raise up an engraved imageor a pillar, neither shall you place any figured stone in your land, to bow down to it: for I am the Lord your God."
The explanation:
The "idol": is a high building, circular in shape, ascribed to one of the false gods, or to one of the saints; like the "Maqam" of nowadays: e.g. the Maqam of Khidir, or the Maqam of Sadeq or what is like that.
The engraved images: are the statues of creatures, like those used by Christians: e.g. the statues of Mary and Jesus, the Cross and similar things. Now some Muslims put the pictures and drawings of some imams to serve the same purpose.
The pillars: are large stones erected over walls or hanged on them: for one of false gods, or for one of kings, or what is like that: e.g. a stone in Iran at Quadam Gah.
The "figured stones" are found in large numbers, in the shrines of the imams, sheikhs and saints. Nowadays, a large number of people kiss such stones and sanctify them.
Moreover, it is mentioned in the Tablets of Prophet Moses – salam be to him – [and it is repeated] in the Book of Deuteronomy, chapter 5: 7-9 God –be glorified – said that:
"7 You shall have no other gods before me.
8 "You shall not make an engraved image for yourself, [nor] any likeness [of anything] that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth:
9 You shall not bow down yourself to them, nor serve them; for I am the Lord your God, a jealous God."
quran-ayat.com/an_hour_with_ghosts.htm#About_the_monotheism_in_the_Bible
http://quran-ayat.com/an_hour_with_ghosts.htm#About_the_monotheism_in_the_Bible