#292: Ruling on Shirk and Imitating the Disbelievers
Question
Please can you help me with these questions.
1. What is shrik?
2. If as a Muslim I go to a christian praying ground (Ori oke) to pray with the intention that I am praying to Allah (subhana watallah) have I committed a sin.
3. Have I ascribed partner to Allah ( since my intentions is to go and pray to Allah alone)
I would really appreciate prompt response. Jazakunlah akhiran
ANSWER
1. In brief, Shirk means to associate, it is gotten from the Arabic word, sharik, which means an associate. Technically, the word is used in the shariah to define associating a partner with Allah in issues which are specific to Him, azza Wa jal. Or, ascribing to someone else a share in the rights that are absolutely His subhanahu Wa Ta’aala.
It is classified into major and minor.
Examples of major shirk that exit one out of the fold of Islam are:
If someone ascribe absolute knowledge to someone while still believing that Allah also has absolute knowledge, then, such a person has associated that person with Allah. Because only Allah possess absolute knowledge of everything.
Allah alone has the absolute right to legislate what is good and what is bad. So, to the believers, something is good and allowed only if Allah says it is. If a person recognises someone, a group or his own desires as having a right in deciding and legislating what is good and bad, then such a person has associated that thing with Allah.
An example of minor shirk that does not take one out of Islam is:
To show off. That is, when someone beautifies his voice in recitation of the Quran only because of the people that are present and not to solely gain the pleasure of Allah.
2. Know that it is completely forbidden for a Muslim to imitate the non Muslims no matter what his intentions are. Such imitation can cause the person to fall into disbelief, or a great sin depending on what he imitates the non believers in.
Sheikh Uthaymin rahimahullah defines the invitation which the shariah condemns as:
The definition of imitating is
when the imitator does something that is unique to those whom he is imitating. Imitation of the kuffaar refers to when a Muslim does something that is one of their unique characteristics.
With regard to that which has become widespread among the Muslims and is no longer something by which the kuffaar are distinguished, then this is not imitation of the kuffaar, and it is not haraam because it is not an imitation, unless it is haraam for some other reason. What we have said is what is indicated by the meaning of the word tashabbuh (imitation).
Majmoo’ Fataawa al-Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen, 12, question 198.
Both Bukhari and Muslim transmitted a hadith narrated from Abu Sa’eed al-Khudri radiallahu anhu that the Prophet alaihi salam said: “You will certainly follow the ways of those who came before you hand span by hand span, cubit by cubit, to the extent that if they entered the hole of a lizard, you will enter it too.” We said: “O Messenger of Allaah, (do you mean) the Jews and the Christians?” He said: “Who else?”
Imam Tirmidhi transmitted that Abu Waqid al-Laythi said “ We went with Allah’s Messenger to Hunain while we had just recently left disbelief. The mushrikeen had a lote tree, which they used to frequent and hang their swords upon. They called it Dhat al-anwat (possessor of the medals of honour). We said, ‘O Messenger of Allah, can you make a dhat al-anwat for us like their dhat al-anwat?’
Allah’s Messenger said, ‘Allah hu Akbar! This way that you have mentioned, by the One in Whose Hand my soul is, is just like what the children of Isra’il asked Musa; “Make a god for us like their god.’ He said, ‘Surely you are an ignorant people (al-Araaf 7:138) You will follow the way of those before you.’”
Authenticated by sheikh Albaani.
From the above narration you see that the companions wanted to just imitate the mushrikoon with a good intention because they were already Muslims. This request of theirs was classified as shirk. And they were only excused because they were new comers to Islam.
It was narrated that ‘Abdullaah ibn ‘Umar said: The rasul alaihi salam said: “Whoever imitates a people is one of them.” Narrated by Abu Dawood, 3512; classed as saheeh by al-Albaani.
Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah rahimahullah said:
This at the very least indicates that it is haraam to imitate them, although the apparent meaning is that the one who imitates them is a kaafir. Iqtida’ al-Siraat al-Mustaqeem, 237.
So, based on what we understand from your question, we say that it’s haram (forbidden) for you to go to such places and participate in their prayers even if your intentions are sincerely for Allah. Such an action is an action of kufr (disbelief) that can exist one out of the fold of Islam.
We ask Allah to protect us from misguidance.
And Allah knows best.
Jazaakumullahu khairan!
Baarakallahu feekum!
Answered by Abu Hafs
15th Ramadan 1438A.H
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