7.2 Linguistic and Technical Definition of Polytheism

Brother student: after completing our treatment of the definition of annulments let us progress to the definition of polytheism (الشِّرك):
Let us begin with the linguistic definition of polytheism:

• Linguistic
• Technical

Linguistic meaning of polytheism: a term for something that is shared with 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, whilst the term (الشِّرك بالله) means ascribing partners to Allah. In a hadeeth by Mu’az ibn Jabal ® that he permitted the inhabitants of Yemen shirk: i.e. partnerships in land and that is when the owner sells the land for half the price or a third. And in Umar ibn Abd al-Aziz -may Allah have mercy upon him-“Indeed shirk is permitted” i.e. meaning the form of shirk mentioned above.

7.2 Linguistic and Technical Definition of Polytheism

Legal meaning of polytheism: 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. have 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. Sheikh Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab-may Allah have mercy upon him-has defined it with his words: “It is to supplicate other when supplicating to Allah or to intend forms of worship to other than Allah in those things commanded by Him.” He who designates forms of worship to other than Allah the All Exalted or intends another in any act of worship has indeed taken others as gods and has committed polytheism with Allah.

Sheikh Abd al-Rahman al-Sa’dy-may Allah have mercy upon him-defines it as: “As for major polytheism: it is to prescribe partners to Allah asking from him as he asks from Allah, or fears or hopes or loves him like his love for Allah, or to designate forms of worship to other that Allah.” Here ends his remarks.