Author: Shaikh Naasir ud-Din al-Albaani
Source: Tahdheerus-Saajid min Ittikhaadhil-Quboori Masaajid


From that which has been established in the Sharee'ah (prescribed law) is that mankind was - in the beginning - a single nation upn true Tawheed, then Shirk (directing any part or form of worship, or anything else that is solely the right of Allah, to other than Allah) gradually overcame them. The basis for this is the saying of Allah - the Most Blessed, the Most high:

"Mankind was one Ummah, then Allah sent prophets bringing good news and warnings." (Surah Baqarah 2:213)

Ibn 'Abbas - radiallaahu 'anhu - said:

"Between Nooh (Noah) and Adam were ten generations, all of them were upon Sharee'ah (law) of the truth, then they differed. So Allah sent prophets as bringers of good news and as warners"(1)

Ibn 'Urwah al-Hanbalee (d.837 H) said:

"This saying refutes those historians from the People of the Book who claim that Qaabil (Cain) and his sons were fire-worshippers"(2)

I say: In it is also a refutation of some of the philosophers and athists who claim that the (natural) basis of man is Shirk, and that Tawheed evolved in man! The preceeding aayah (verse) falsifies this claim, as do the two following authentic hadith:

Firstly:His (the prophet (sallallaahu `alaihi wasallam) ) saying that he related from his Lord (Allah) : "I created all my servants upon the true Religion (upon Tawheed, fre from Shirk). Then the devils came to them and led them astray from their true Religion. They made unlawful to people that which I had made lawful for them, and they commanded them to associate in worship with Me, that which I had sent down no authority."(3)

Secondly:His (the prophet (sallallaahu `alaihi wasallam) ) saying: " Every child is born upon the Fitrah(4) but his parents make him a jew or a christian or a magian. It is like the way an animal gives birth to a natural offspring. have you noticed any born mutilated, before you mutilate them."


Abu Hurayrah said: Recite if you wish: "Allah's fitrah with which He created mankind. There is to be no change to the creation (Religion) of Allah."(Surah ar-Rum 30:30)(5)

After this clear explanation, it is of the upmost importance for the Muslim to know how Shirk spread amongst the believers, after they were muwahhideen (people upon Tawheed)

Concerning the saying of Allah - the most perfect - about the people of Nooh:

"And they have said : You shall not forsake your gods, nor shall you forsake Wadd, nor Suwaa', nor Yaghooth, nor Ya'ooq, nor Nasr."
(Surah Nooh 71:23)

It has been related by a group from the Salaf (Pious Predecessors), in many narrations, that these five deities were righteous worshippers. However, when they died, Shaytaan (Satan) whispered into their people to retreat and sit at their graves. Then Shaytaan whispered to those who came after them that they should take them as idols, beautifying to them the idea that you will be reminded of them and thereby follow them in righteous conduct. Then Shaytaan suggested to the third generation that they should worship these idols besides Allah - the most high - and he whispered to them that this is what their forefathers used to do!!!


So Allah sent to them Nooh (as), commanding them to worship Allah alone. However none responded to hiscall except a few. Allah - the mighty and majestic - related this whole incident in surah Nooh

Ibn 'Abbas relates:

"Indeed these five names of righteous men from the people of Nooh. When they died Shataan whispered to their people to make statues of them and to place these statues in their places of gathering as a reminder of them, so they did this.


However, none from amongst them worshipped these statues, until when they died and the purpose of the statues was forgotten. Then (the next generation) began to worship them."(6)

The likes of this has also been related by Ibn Jareer at-Tabaree and others, from a number of the salaf (Pious Predecessors) - radiallaahu 'anhum.

In ad-Durral-Manthoor (6/269):

'Abdullaah ibn Humaid relates from Abu Muttahar, who said: Yazeed ibn al-Muhallab was mentioned to Abu Ja'far al-Baaqir (d.11H), so he said: He was killed at the place where another besides Allah was first worshipped. Then he mentioned Wadd and said
Wadd was a Muslim man who was loved by his people. When he died, the people began to gather around his grave in the land of Baabil (Babel), lamenting and mourning. So when Iblees (Satan) saw them mourning and lamenting over him, he took the form of a man and came to them, saying : I see that you are mourning and lamenting over him. So why don't you make a picture of him (i.e. a statue) and place it in your places of gatherings so that you maybe reminded of him. So they said: Yes, and they made a picture of him and put in their place of gathering; which reminded them of him.


When Iblees saw how they were (excessively) remembering him, he said : "Why doesn't every man amongst you make a similar picture to keep in your own houses, so that you can be (constantly) reminded of him."


So they all said "yes". So each household made a picture of him, which they adored and venerated and which constantly reminded them of him.


Abu Ja'far said: "Those from the later generation saw what the (pevious generation) had done and considered that........to the extent that they took him as an ilah (diety) to be worshipped besides Allah. He then said :" This was the first idol worshipped other than Allah, and they called this idol Wadd"(7)

Thus the wisdom of Allah - the Blessed, the Most High - was fufilled, when he sent Muhammed (sallallaahu `alaihi wasallam) as the final prophet and made his Sharee'ah the completion of all divinely Prescribed Laws, in that He prohibited all means and avenues by which people may fall into Shirk - which is the greatest of sins.

For this reason, building shrines over graves and intending to specifically travel to them, taking them as places of festivity and gathering and swearing an oath by the inmate of a grave; have all bee prohibited.


All of these lead to excessiveness and lead to the worship of other than Allah - the Most High. This being the case even more so in an age in which knowledge is diminishing, ignorance is increasing, thre are few sincere advisors ( to the truth) and shaytaan is co-operating with men and jinn to misguide mankind and to take them away from the worship of Allah alone - the Blessed, the Most High.


Notes
(1) Tahdheerus-Saajid min Ittikhaadhil-Quboori Masaajid (pp.101-106)
(2) Related by Ibn Jareer at-Tabaree in his tafseer (4/275) and al-Haakim (2/546) who said: "It is authentic according to the criterion of al-Bukhari." Adh-Dhahabee also agreed.
(3) Al-Khawaakibud-Duraaree fee Tarteeb Musnadul-Imaam Ahmad'alaa Abwaabil-Bukhaaree (6/212/1), still in manuscript form.
(4) Related by Muslim (8/159) and Ahmad (4/162) from 'Iyaadh ibn Himaar al-Mujaashi'ee radiallaahu 'anhu
(5) [From the Editors] Ibn-al-Atheer said in an-Nihaayah (3/457): "Al-Fitr: means to begin and create, and al-Fitrah is the condition resulting from it. The meaning is that mankind were born upona disposition and a nature which is ready to accept the true Religion. So if he were to be left upon this, then he would continue upon it. However, those who deviate from this do so due to following human weaknesses and blind following of others....."
Al-Haafidh Ibn Hajar said in Al-Fath (3/248): "The people differ concerning what is meant by al-Fitrah and the most famous saying is that it means Islam. Ibn 'abdul-Barr said: That is what was well known with most of the salaf (pious predecessors), and the scholars of tafseer are agreed that what is meant by the saying of Allah - the Most High - "Allah's fitrah with which He created mankind." is Islam
(6) Related by Al-Bukhaaree (11/418) and Muslim (18/52)
(7) Realted by al-Bukhaaree (8/534)
(8) Related by Ibn Abee Haatim also, as is in al-Kawaakibud-Duraaree (6/112/2) of Ibn 'Urwah al-Hanbalee, along with an isnaad which is Hasan, up to Abu Muttahar. However, no biography could be found for him, neither in ad-Dawlaabee's al-Kunaa wal-Asmaa, nor Muslim's al-Kunaa, nor any one elses. And the hidden defect here is that he is from the Shee'ah, but his biography is not included in at-Toosee's al-Kunaa -- from the index of Shee'ah narrators



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Author: Imaam Muhammad Naasir-ud-Deen al-Albaanee
Source: Tahdheerus-Saajid min Ittikhaadhil-Quboori Masaajid (pp.101-106)
Published: Monday 17th April, 2006


From that which has been established in the Sharee'ah (prescribed law) is that mankind was - in the beginning - a single nation upon true Tawheed, then Shirk (directing any part or form of worship, or anything else that is solely the right of Allaah, to other than Allaah) gradually overcame them. The basis for this is the saying of Allaah - the Most Blessed, the Most High:

“Mankind was one Ummah, then Allaah sent prophets bringing good news and warnings.” [2:213]

Ibn Abbaas - radi-Allaahu ’anhu - said:

“Between Nooh (Noah) and Aadam were ten generations, all of them were upon Sharee'ah (law) of the truth, then they differed. So Allaah sent prophets as bringers of good news and as warners.” [Related by Ibn Jareer at-Tabaree in his Tafseer (4/275) and al-Haakim (2/546)]

Ibn Urwah al-Hanbali (d.837H) said:

“This saying refutes those historians from the People of the Book who claim that Qaabil (Cain) and his sons were fire-worshippers.” [Al-Kawaakibud-Duraaree fee Tarteeb Musnadul-Imaam Ahmad ’alaa Abwaabil-Bukhaaree (6/212/1)]

I say: In it is also a refutation of some of the philosophers and atheists who claim that the (natural) basis of man is Shirk, and that Tawheed evolved in man! The preceding ayah (verse) falsifies this claim, as do the two following authentic ahadeeth:

Firstly: His sal-Allaahu 'alayhe wa sallam’s saying that he related from his Lord:

“I created all my servants upon the true Religion (upon Tawheed, free from Shirk). Then the devils came to them and led them astray from their true Religion. They made unlawful to people that which I had made lawful for them, and they commanded them to associate in worship with Me, that which I had sent down no authority.” [Related by Muslim (8/159) and Ahmad (4/162)]

Secondly: His sal-Allaahu 'alayhe wa sallam’s saying:

“Every child is born upon the Fitrah [natural disposition towards Islaam] but his parents make him a Jew or a Christian or a Maigan. It is like the way an animal gives birth to a natural offspring. have you noticed any born mutilated, before you mutilate them.”
Abu Hurayrah said: Recite if you wish:

“Allaah’s Fitrah with which He created mankind. There is to be no change to the creation (Religion) of Allaah.” [30:30] [Related by al-Bukhaaree (11/418) and Muslim (18/52)]

After this clear explanation, it is of the utmost importance for the Muslim to know how Shirk spread amongst the believers, after they were Muwahideen (people upon Tawheed). Concerning the saying of Allaah - the Most Perfect - about the people of Nooh:

“And they have said : You shall not forsake your gods, nor shall you forsake Wadd, nor Suwa’, nor Yaghooth, nor Ya'ooq, nor Nasr.” [71:23]

It has been related by a group from the Salaf (Pious Predecessors), in many narration's, that these five deities were righteous worshippers. However, when they died, Shaytaan whispered into their people to retreat and sit at their graves. Then Shaytaan whispered to those who came after them that they should take them as idols, beautifying to them the idea that you will be reminded of them and thereby follow them in righteous conduct. Then Shaytaan suggested to the third generation that they should worship these idols besides Allaah - the Most High - and he whispered to them that this is what their forefathers used to do! So Allaah sent to them Nooh ’alayhis-salaam, commanding them to worship Allaah alone. However none responded to his call except a few. Allaah - the Mighty and Majestic - related this whole incident in Surah Nooh.

Ibn ’Abbaas relates:

“Indeed these five names of righteous men from the people of Nooh. When they died Shaytaan whispered to their people to make statues of them and to place these statues in their places of gathering as a reminder of them, so they did this. However, none from amongst them worshipped these statues, until when they died and the purpose of the statues was forgotten. Then (the next generation) began to worship them.” [Related by al-Bukhaaree (8/534)]

The likes of this has also been related by Ibn Jareer, at-Tabaree and others, from a number of the Salaf (Pious Predecessors) - radi-Allaahu ’anhum .

In ad-Durrul-Manthoor (6/269):

Abdullaah ibn Humaid relates from Abu Muttahar, who said: Yazeed ibn al-Muhallab was mentioned to Abu Ja’far al-Baaqir (d.11H), so he said: He was killed at the place where another besides Allaah was first worshipped. Then he mentioned Wadd and said:

“Wadd was a Muslim man who was loved by his people. When he died, the people began to gather around his grave in the land of Baabil (Babel), lamenting and mourning. So when Iblees (Satan) saw them mourning and lamenting over him, he took the form of a man and came to them, saying : I see that you are mourning and lamenting over him. So why don’t you make a picture of him (i.e. a statue) and place it in your places of gatherings so that you maybe reminded of him. So they said: Yes, and they made a picture of him and put in their place of gathering; which reminded them of him. When Iblees saw how they were (excessively) remembering him, he said : Why doesn’t every man amongst you make a similar picture to keep in your own houses, so that you can be (constantly) reminded of him. So they all said: Yes. So each household made a picture of him, which they adored and venerated and which constantly reminded them of him. Abu Ja’far said: Those from the later generation saw what the (previous generation) had done and considered that ... to the extent that they took him as an ilaah (deity) to be worshipped besides Allaah. He then said: This was the first idol worshipped other than Allaah, and they called this idol Wadd.” [Related by Ibn Abee Haatim]

Thus the wisdom of Allaah - the Blessed, the Most High - was fulfilled, when he sent Muhammad sal-Allaahu 'alayhe wa sallam as the final prophet and made his Sharee'ah the completion of all divinely Prescribed Laws, in that He prohibited all means and avenues by which people may fall into Shirk - which is the greatest of sins. For this reason, building shrines over graves and intending to specifically travel to them, taking them as places of festivity and gathering and swearing an oath by the inmate of a grave; have all been prohibited. All of these lead to excessiveness and lead to the worship of other than Allaah - the Most High.

This being the case even more so in an age in which knowledge is diminishing, ignorance is increasing, there are few sincere advisors (to the truth) and Shaytaan is co-operating with men and jinn to misguide mankind and to take them away from the worship of Allaah alone - the Blessed, the Most High.

SubhanAllah

may Allah protect us from all forms of shirk including the shirk we do when we submit to our nafs - going aganist the orders of Allah (swt)

very good collection of articles and books related to "Shirk" and "Hidden Shirk"

Shirk - [ ^TOP]

• What is the difference between a Mushrik and a Kaafir?
  There are generalities (shared between them) and specifics (unique to each of them). Shirk is more general than Kufr, for every Mushrik is a Kaafir but not every Kaafir is a Mushrik. The Mushrik worships Allaah and worships other than Him, as for the Kaafir, then he rejects the existence of Allaah the Mighty and Exalted and does not acknowledge Allaah the Mighty and Majestic, and nor does he acknowledge a religion from amongst the religions. This is the rejecting Kaafir. As for the Mushrik, he acknowledges and believes, however, he worships Allaah and worships other than Him, hence he is a Mushrik Kaafir. Thus, every Mushrik is a Kaafir and not every Kaafir is a Mushrik, since the Kaafir can be a Mulhid, Jaahid (Athiest, Rejecter). Silsilah Sharh ar-Rasaa’il p. 239 / Al-Fawzaan
• The Meaning of Taghoot - Abdul bin Wahab - Md Bin Abdir RahmnaAl Khumayyis - 15p [PDF]
• The Origins of Shirk - Shaik Nasiruddin Albanee - 3p
  -It has been related by a group from the Salaf (Pious Predecessors) in many narrations, that these five deities were righteous worshippers. However, when they died, Shaytaan (Satan) whispered into their people to retreat and sit at their graves. Then Shaytaan whispered to those who came after them that they should take them as idols, beautifying to them the idea that you will be reminded of them and thereby follow them in righteous conduct. Then Shaytaan suggested to the third generation that they should worship these idols besides Allah - the most high - and he whispered to them that this is what their forefathers used to do...
• Categories and Aspects of Shirk - Imaam Shah Ismail Shaheed - From the book Taqwiyat-ul-Iman
  -If a person makes, bow or prostration before the grave of a Prophet, saint, ghost, apparition, jinn, fairy or any of the real or fake graves or a specified place inside a tomb, or a certain sign or house, or , observes fast in their names; stands in front of them with folded hands; makes offerings to them or hoisting a flag in their name or walking backwards (with a reverse motion of feet); kisses a grave or undertakes along journey to visit graves and other places; lights earthen lamps there or makes arrangements for illuminating them; or Puts coverings on their walls or offers a sheet as a covering on the grave, manually fanning the air by hand(by using a Morchhal, a fanning contrivance); erects a tent there; kisses it's threshold; asks for the fulfillment of wishes there; serves the shrine by becoming its servant and venerates the forest around it: anyone doing any of the above acts commits a clear and manifest Shirk...
• The Negation of Shirk in Knowledge - Imaam Shah Ismail Shaheed - From the book Taqwiyat-ul-Iman
• The Negation of Shirk in Authority - Imaam Shah Ismail Shaheed - From the book Taqwiyat-ul-Iman
• Prohibition of Shirk in Worship - Imaam Shah Ismail Shaheed - From the book Taqwiyat-ul-Iman
• Prohibition of Shirk in Social Customs - Imaam Shah Ismail Shaheed - From the book Taqwiyat-ul-Iman
• Explaining the Four Rules of Shirk - Abdul Wahab - Md Bin Abdir RahmnaAl Khumayyis - 24p [PDF]
• Meaning of Shirk and Ibaadah - Removal of Doubts - Part 09 - Abdul bin Wahab - 6p [PDF]
• Shirk of first Pagans and Late Comers - Removal of Doubts - Part 10 - Abdul bin Wahab - 10p [PDF]
• Q&A - Munajjid - Shirk - 68p
• Aspects of Days of Ignorance - Abdul Wahab - 34p [PDF]
  This is a translation of the classical treatise of Imaam Muhammad bin ‘Abdil-Wahhaab “Masaa’il-ul-Jaahiliyyah” (Aspects of the Days of Ignorance), which is a list of 128 points - each point representing one aspect of belief or practice that the people of the Days of Ignorance were upon, which Islaam came to oppose .
  
  Purchase Aspects of the Days of Ignorance -( Explanation )By Saalih bin Fawzaan Al-Fawzaan
  This book is an explanation of the classical and concise treatise of Imaam Muhammad bin 'Abdil-Wahhaab known as Masaa'il-ul-Jaahiliyyah or "Aspects of the Days of Ignorance." The source treatise consists of 128 aspects that the disbelievers adhered to at the time of the advent of Prophet Muhammad, sallAllaahu 'alayhi wa sallam, which he came to oppose them in. the author extracted these aspects from the Qur'aan and Sunnah and summarized them in a short treatise as individual points. The commentator, Shaikh Saalih Al-Fawzaan, has elaborated on each of these 128 points, providing a simple yet comprehensive discussion on all of them in well over 300 pages. This book is excellent for all types of readers in that it covers a wide range of Islamic topics, presenting each subject matter in a clear and easy-to-understand manner.
• The Charms and Amulets - Ahya.org
• Fortunetelling-Bilal Philips - 5p
• The Ruling on Magic and Fortune Telling - Ibn Baaz - 16p [PDF]
• Nullifiesr of Islam - Removal of Doubts - Part 11 - Abdul Wahab - 17p [PDF]
• Explanation of the Nullifiesr of Islam - Abdul Wahab - Al-Ibaanah - 33p [PDF]
• What Negates Ones Islam - Abdul wahhab - uh.edu - 2p

Riya - Minor Shirk / Hidden Shirk

• Riya - Minor Shirk - Secret Shirk - Bilal Philips - From the book "Fundamentals of Tawheed"
• Riya - Definition, Causes and Warning Signs - Yasir Qadhi - islaam.net
• Glimpses from the Book: Riyaa : Hidden Shirk - Yasir al-Qathi/ Edited By Dr. Abu Ameenah Bilal Philips
  -Good deeds must be done for the sake of Allah alone for them to be acceptable. Righteous deeds done for worldly gain have been transformed into evil deeds unacceptable to Allah. Therefore, it is extremely important for the God-fearing to know the factors which would convert righteous deeds into evil deeds. Riyaa is one of the most powerful of such factors and its subtleness makes it among the most dangerous and difficult to diagnose.
  -A systematic treatment of one of the most dangerous spiritual diseases, by which the intention is misdirected and the reward of good deeds is lost.