2.1 Types of Shirk in the Oneness of Divine Lordship
Dear brother student, during the previous lesson you have come across discussion pertaining to shirk including all of its definition and various types. We have mentioned that shirk is of two types:
• Major Shirk
• Minor Shirk
Among the scholars are those who divide it differently proposing the following types:
• Shirk regarding the Oneness of Divine Lordship
• Shirk regarding Divine Names and Attributes
• Shirk regarding the Oneness of Divine Godship
2.1 Types of Shirk in the Oneness of Divine Lordship
Dr. Hasan al-Iwaaji says:
“If we take a look at the division of the learned regarding Shirk, we may notice that their classification does not protrude the limits of the three generalisations even if they differ in terms and divisions. They divide Shirk into numerous types the majority of whom view their divisions from the perspective of shirks regarding the Oneness of Divine Godship. We find among them are those who divide it into a major state and minor state, and among them are those who divide it into three divisions: major, minor and subtle. And among them are those who divide it according to the three types of Tawheed. Among them are those who divide the major form into four types, and among them are those who divide into two types: the type related to the being of Allah, and the type related to His worship. The classification which combines and harmonizes between them is to say; Shirk is of two types: Major Shirk and Minor Shirk.”
2.1 Types of Shirk in the Oneness of Divine Lordship
He then furthers to define Major Shirk and distinguishes the shirk regarding the Oneness of Divine Lordship saying:
“The first: Major Shirk is of two types: shirk related to the being of Allah, and shirk related to His worship. As for the type related to the being of Allah it is shirk in the Oneness of Divine Lordship and is of two types:
i. Destructive polytheism: like the polytheism of Pharaoh and the atheists.
ii. Polytheism: of those who associate partners to Allah but have not denied His Names
and Attributes and His Lordship like the polytheism of the Christians and those similar to them
with their trinity in which they made the Messiah and his mother gods.”
2.1 Types of Shirk in the Oneness of Divine Lordship
Sheikh Taqi al-Din al-Maqrizi-may Allah show mercy upon him-says:
“The second type of shirk: Shirk in the All Exalted’s Oneness of Divine Lordship; like the polytheism of those who have associated to Him another creator like the Magians and others who claim that the world has two lords: One of them lord of goodness who is called in the Persian tongue: (Yazdaan)-which means Allah. The other lord of evil who is called in their tongue: (Ahraman)-i.e. Satan. Like the philosophers who follow them in prescription claiming that nothing has emanated from Him except one simple thing and that the source of all creation is the intellect and the self and that the source of this world is the active intellect which is the lord of all existence in its domain and its governor. This is worse than idol worshippers and the Magians and Christians and is indeed the most vile form of shirk by virtue of its inherent destruction, denial of both Divine Godship and Lordship and its drawing creation to rely on another other than the All Glorious All Exalted which is a form of shirk not inherent in the shirk of other nations. The shirk of the Fatalists (al-Qadariyyah) is a concise form of this type of shirk and a door that enters upon it. In many cases both types of shirk are found in a servant and one becomes independent of the other. Quran along with other divinely revealed books from Allah the All Exalted often explicates a refutation of this form of association like in His words: ((إيَّاك نعبُد)) Ye alone do we worship. Indeed refutes all forms of shirk regarding the love of Allah and His Godship. And His words: ((وإيَّاك نَستعينُ)) and Ye alone do we ask for help. Indeed refutes shirk regarding creation and His Lordship. Inherent within these verses is pure Tawheed of the Lord of the Worlds.”
2.1 Types of Shirk in the Oneness of Divine Lordship
Sheikh Sulayman ibn Abd Allah Al al-Sheikh-may Allah show mercy upon him-discussed the kinds of shirk regarding the Oneness of Divine Lordship saying:
“Shirk regarding the Oneness of Divine Lordship is of two types:
• Destructive Polytheism
• Polytheism
Destructive Polytheism which is the vilest form of shirk like the shirk of Pharaoh who said ((وَمَا ربّ العالمين)) And who is the Lord of the Worlds. Similarly the shirk of the philosophers who claim the eternalness of the world and that is never not non-existent but remains and will forever remain. And all forms of accidents are relegated to causes and intermediaries which necessitate its existence which they call: Intellects and souls. A group from among those who prescribe to the doctrine of Unity of Existence share in this form of shirk like Ibn Arabi and Ibn Sab’iyn, and al-‘Afif al-Talmisani and Ibn Faarid and others like them from among the atheists. They have clothed Islam with the garb of atheism confusing it with a part of truth until their doctrine has gained popularity among the blinded. Also sharing in this type of shirk are those who deny the Divine Names and Attributes of the Lord from among the wayward al-Jahamiyyah and al-Qaraamitah.
2.1 Types of Shirk in the Oneness of Divine Lordship
Polytheism of those who ascribe to Allah partners but don’t deny the Divine Names and Attributes along with the Oneness of Divine Lordship like the Shirk of the Christians with their trinity and the shirk of the Magians who associate good occurrences to light and evil occurrences to darkness. Inclusive in this type of shirk is the Shirk of those who worship planets and cosmic entities claiming them to be governing the matters of this world as is the belief of the polytheist Sabians and others.
I believe that this remains to be the words of Sheikh Sulayman as it is related to the shirk of the wayward grave worshippers who claim that the souls of the saints disperse after death answering the needs of man, relieving their tribulations and assisting those who invoke and supplement to them. They take care of those who seek their help and undertake their protection. All this is indeed from the characteristics of Divine Lordship as has been mentioned by some of the scholars regarding this type.” Here ends his remarks.
2.1 Types of Shirk in the Oneness of Divine Lordship
Thus shirk in the Oneness of Divine Lordship is numerous like destructive polytheism
(شرك التعطيل) which is defusing the Creator from the created. The most infamous who have pronounced such shirk are Pharaoh and Haman as Allah has said:
| وَقَالَ فِرْعَوْنُ يَا هَامَانُ ابْنِ لِي صَرْحاً لَعَلِّي أَبْلُغُ الأَسْبَابَ * أَسْبَابَ السَّمَاوَاتِ فَأَطَّلِعَ إِلَى إِلَهِ مُوسَى وَإِنِّي |
)) |
| [غَافر: ٣٦-٣۷] |
(( |
لأَظُنُّهُ كَاذِباً |
Pharaoh said: "O Haman! Build me a lofty palace, that I may attain the ways and means- "The ways and means of (reaching) the heavens, and that I may mount up to the Allah of Moses: But as far as I am concerned, I think (Moses) is a liar!" [40: 36-37]
And among this type of shirk is the shirk of those who associate partners to Allah like all of the Christians, Magians and Dualists along with the shirk of those who make the planets governors of the world.