Summary

We can possibly summarise the primary factors inherent in this lesson into the following points:

• It has been made evident to you, dear brother student, that annulments linguistically is: the plural of
   annulment, and to annul is to spoil what has been ratified through agreement. It is said: a wound is
   revoked after healing and a matter has corrupted after maturing. Annul is the opposite of ratification.
   As for the technical definition of annulments: those things when performed by a person corrupts and
   annuls his Tawheed. You are aware that scholars have discussed annulments in their words: left Islam,
   revoked his religion or disbelieved and like expressions, may Allah protect us. Imam al-Tahawi -may
   Allah have mercy upon him-said: “A servant dose not leave Iman except by denying what entered him in
   this state to begin with.”

• You know that linguistically shirk means: a term that is used for something that is shared between
   more than one. It is said that two people are committing acts of polytheism if one becomes the partner
   to the other. The plural of a partner (الشريك) is partners شركاء) or أشراكٌ ( and the term (الشِّرك) means
   portion. As for the legal meaning of shirk: it is to take equals to Allah in matters belonging solely to Allah.
   When they say: A person has committed polytheism in the right of Allah: i.e. has prescribed partners to
   Allah regardless if it be in the case of Oneness of Divine Godship or Divine Lordship. However the term
   Tawheed is commonly used to refer to the Oneness of Divine Godship.

Summary

• You are aware that the legal definition of shirk indicates three meanings: firstly: the belief in a partner
   to Allah the All Exalted in His Kingdom and the Oneness of Divine Lordship, creation, sustenance, and
   the management of the universe. Secondly: to belief that other than Allah can harm and benefit, and that
   this other is an intermediary between Allah and creation turning to this other and dedicating to it forms of
   worship. Thirdly: to outwardly show off to other than Allah in speech and action.

• It has been made clear to you the explanation of certain shirk practices with its two types that annuls
   Tawheed or annuls Allah’s perfection. Sheikh Muhammad ibn abd al-Wahaab -may Allah have mercy
   upon him-has compiled its components in his book “Tawheed which is the right of Allah upon the
   servant” wherein he chapterized it in many chapters. Among those chapters is: chapter: among shirk
   is the wearing of a chain or necklace or its kind to do away with tribulations, a chapter on what has been
   reported regarding incantations and talismans, and a chapter on seeking blessings from trees and
   stones and their like, like bad omen regarding places, al-Gayran, the evil eye, and grave worshipping.

Summary

• It has been explained to you that major shirk is of two kinds: shirk regarding the being of Allah the
   All Exalted, and shirk regarding His worship. As for shirk regarding the being of Allah it is shirk in
   Divine Lordship, like the shirk of those who negate such as the shirk of Pharaoh, and shirk of the
   atheists, and shirk of those who have prescribed partners to Allah yet have not negated His Divine
   Names and Attributes or His Divine Lordship, like the shirk of the Christians. As for shirk regarding
   the worship of Allah, it is shirk regarding Divine Godship just as you are aware of those who have
   divided shirk into three according to the divisions of Tawheed.

• You know that the intended meaning of minor shirk is: shirk that does nto egress you out of religion
   and is the opposite of major shirk. Some have defined it as: all textual references to shirk that does
   not reach the limits of major shirk; as if to say: what you and Allah will, if it were not for you and Allah,
   or swear an oath by other than Allah. Others have defined it as all means and mediums leading to
   major shirk is minor shirk. Similarly you also know that it can be either apparent or subtle.