What is Shirk (Polytheism)
Polytheism, known as “shirk” in Islam, is a theological concept that plays a central role in the Islamic faith.
This article aims to delve into the understanding Polytheism (Shirk) in Islam Origins, Concepts, and Consequences, and examine the perspective Islam holds towards this belief system.
Understanding shirk is crucial for Muslims, as it forms a fundamental aspect of their monotheistic worldview.
To ensure that our Tawheed (belief in the Oneness of Allah), Islam, and religion are solid, it is crucial that we understand what shirk is, how serious it is, and the various varieties of it.
We confirm that “And Allah is the Source of strength; it is from Him that true guidance originates”
I. Defining Polytheism (Shirk)
Polytheism, derived from the Greek words “poly” (many) and “theos” (god), refers to the belief in and worship of multiple deities.
In Islamic theology, the term “shirk” embodies the act of associating partners with Allah, the one true God. Islam vehemently opposes polytheism, considering it the gravest sin, as it challenges the core principle of monotheism.
II. Origins of Polytheism
Polytheistic beliefs have roots in ancient civilizations, where various cultures worshipped a multitude of gods, each associated with specific domains.
In pre-Islamic Arabia, for instance, people worshipped idols, celestial bodies, and ancestral spirits. Islam emerged in this polytheistic milieu, emphasizing the oneness of Allah and condemning the worship of multiple deities.
III. Islamic Perspective on Polytheism (Shirk)
A. Monotheism in Islam
At the heart of Islam lies the belief in the oneness of Allah, encapsulated in the Shahada (declaration of faith):
“There is no god but Allah, and Muhammad is His messenger.”
This declaration asserts the exclusive divinity of Allah and the rejection of any partners or intermediaries in worship.
B. Qur’anic Verses Against Polytheism
The Qur’an, contains numerous verses condemning polytheism. For example, Surah Al-Baqarah (2:21-22) states, “O mankind, worship your Lord, who created you and those before you, that you may become righteous. He who made for you the earth a bed and the sky a canopy and sent down from the sky rain and brought forth thereby fruits as provision for you. So, do not attribute to Allah equals while you know [that there is nothing similar to Him].”

These verses emphasize the uniqueness of Allah as the creator and sustainer of the universe, urging believers to worship Him alone.
C. Categories of Polytheism in Islam
Islamic scholars categorize polytheism into major and minor forms. Major polytheism involves ascribing partners to Allah in matters of worship, while minor polytheism includes actions that compromise the purity of monotheistic beliefs, such as relying on superstitions or seeking help from supernatural forces other than Allah.
Types of shirk
Shirk and attributing competitors to Allah can sometimes push a person beyond the boundaries of Islam, according to the Quran and Sunnah. For this reason, the scholars separated shirk into two categories: large shirk, or shirk akbar, and minor shirk, or shirk asghar.
A brief description of each category is given below:
Major Shirk ( shirk Akbar)
This is giving something that is exclusively Allah’s, including lordship (rububiyyah), divinity (uluhiyyah), and the divine names and characteristics (al-asma’ wa’l-sifat), to someone other than Allah.
Shirk of this kind can occasionally be seen from the outside, as in the case of people who worship graves, idols, the dead, or the missing.
Alternatively, it can occasionally be concealed, as in the case of people who faith in deities other than Allah or the kufr and shirk of hypocrites.
Because the hypocrites present an outward image of Islam while hiding their kufr and shirk, they are fundamentally mushriks even though their shirk places them outside the boundaries of Islam and guarantees that they will spend eternity in Hell.
Shirk may sometimes take the form of beliefs
For example, the conviction that, in addition to Allah, someone else also produces, grants life and death, rules, or has authority over the affairs of the cosmos.
Or the conviction that there is someone else who must be completely obeyed in addition to Allah, leading them to follow him in considering everything he desires to be allowed or prohibited, even if it contradicts the teachings of the Messengers.
Alternately, they could love a created being as much as they love Allah, thus uniting others in their reverence and love for Him. This is the type of disobedience that Allah would not pardon, and concerning such disobedience, Allah declares (interpretation of the meaning):
“And of mankind are some who take (for worship) others besides Allah as rivals(to Allah). They love them as they love Allah” [al-Baqarah 2:165]
al-Baqarah 2:165

Words can occasionally be interpreted as a kind of shirk.
Such as those who make du’a, pray to someone other than Allah, ask for his assistance or seek shelter with him in relation to issues over which no one else has authority but Allah; these individuals may be prophets, walis, jinn, angels, or other created beings. This is a serious form of disobedience that transcends Islam.
Sometimes, shirk occurs itself in behaviour.
For example, offering sacrifices, making prayers, or prostrating oneself to a deity other than Allah; or passing laws to supersede the decrees of Allah and establish them as the standard by which all others must be judged; or aiding and abetting the kafirs in their persecution of the believers; and other deeds that violate the fundamental principles of faith and place the perpetrator outside the boundaries of Islam.
We pray to Allah for protection and well-being.

Minor shirk (shirk asghar)
This covers everything that doesn’t quite qualify as big shirk but could result in significant shirk, or that is labelled as shirk in the scriptures.
Typically, this comes in two forms:
- Having an emotional attachment to methods that are baseless and for which Allah has not given permission, such as hanging up “hands” or wearing turquoise beads because you believe they will protect you or ward off the evil eye. However, neither the laws of the cosmos nor the shari’ah indicate that Allah has given them the means of such protection.
- Expressing gratitude for some individuals or objects without going so far as to acknowledge them as superiors; for example, swearing by something other than Allah or using phrases like “Were it not for Allah and So and So,” etc.
IV. Consequences of Polytheism in Islam
A. Spiritual Consequences
Polytheism is considered the gravest sin in Islam, leading to spiritual consequences such as the nullification of good deeds.
The Qur’an states in Surah Az-Zumar (39:65-66), “And it has already come down to you in the Book that when you hear the verses of Allah [recited], they are denied [by them] and ridiculed; so do not sit with them until they enter into another conversation. Indeed, you would then be like them.”
Associating partners with Allah tarnishes the purity of faith, diminishing the value of righteous deeds in the eyes of Islam.
B. Impact on Society
Polytheism is not confined to individual beliefs; it can permeate society, influencing norms, customs, and legal systems.
The Qur’an warns against adopting the practices of polytheistic societies, as seen in Surah Al-Ma’idah (5:51), “O you who have believed, do not take the Jews and the Christians as allies.
They are [in fact] allies of one another. And whoever is an ally to them among you – then indeed, he is [one] of them.”
This verse underscores the importance of maintaining the distinct Islamic identity and avoiding societal influences that contradict monotheistic principles.
V. Combating Polytheism: Education and Outreach
To eradicate polytheistic beliefs, Islam places great emphasis on education and outreach.
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was sent as a guide and teacher, emphasizing the importance of conveying the message of monotheism to humanity.
A. Prophetic Teachings
The hadiths (sayings and actions) of Prophet Muhammad provide guidance on combating polytheism.
He is reported to have said,
“Whoever dies while he is invoking others along with Allah, as a rival to Allah, will enter Hell.”
This underscores the severity of associating partners with Allah and serves as a reminder of the consequences in the hereafter.
B. Interfaith Dialogue
Islam encourages engaging in dialogue with people of other faiths to promote understanding and convey the monotheistic principles of Islam.
The Qur’an advocates peaceful coexistence, as seen in Surah Al-‘Ankabut (29:46), “And do not argue with the People of the Scripture except in a way that is best, except for those who commit injustice among them, and say,
‘We believe in that which has been revealed to us and revealed to you. And our God and your God is one; and we are Muslims [in submission] to Him.'”
Through respectful discourse, Muslims aim to dispel misconceptions and share the core tenets of Islam with others.
VI. Tawhid: The Essence of Monotheism
At the core of Islamic teachings is the concept of Tawhid, which refers to the absolute oneness of Allah. Tawhid not only rejects the existence of multiple deities but also emphasizes the unique attributes of Allah as the Creator, Sustainer, and the ultimate source of guidance.
The Qur’an repeatedly calls believers to reflect upon the signs of Tawhid in the natural world, encouraging a profound appreciation for the unity of the divine.

A. Signs of Tawhid in Nature
The Qur’an often directs believers to contemplate the natural world as evidence of Tawhid. Surah Al-Baqarah (2:164) states,
“Indeed, in the creation of the heavens and the earth, and the alternation of the night and the day, and the [great] ships which sail through the sea with that which benefits people, and what Allah has sent down from the heavens of rain, giving life thereby to the earth after its lifelessness and dispersing therein every [kind of] moving creature, and [His] directing of the winds and the clouds controlled between the heaven and the earth are signs for a people who use reason.”
These verses encourage believers to recognize the oneness of the Creator through the intricate design and balance in the natural world.
B. Tawhid in Worship
Tawhid extends beyond mere intellectual acknowledgment of one God; it encompasses all aspects of worship. Muslims express Tawhid in their daily prayers, supplications, and acts of devotion.
The five pillars of Islam, including the declaration of faith, prayer, fasting, charity, and pilgrimage, are all rooted in the concept of Tawhid.
VII. Historical Efforts Against Polytheism
Throughout Islamic history, efforts to combat polytheism have taken various forms. The early Islamic caliphs actively worked to eradicate idol worship and establish monotheistic principles.
The expansion of the Islamic empire facilitated the dissemination of monotheistic beliefs, reaching diverse cultures and societies.
A. Iconoclasm
Islamic rulers implemented iconoclasm, the destruction of idols and religious images, as a means to eliminate polytheistic practices. This historical approach aimed to purify the religious landscape and emphasize the singular worship of Allah.
B. Educational Institutions
The establishment of educational institutions in the Islamic world played a pivotal role in promoting monotheistic beliefs.
Scholars and theologians dedicated themselves to teaching Tawhid and refuting polytheistic ideologies, contributing to the intellectual development of Islamic civilization.
VIII. Contemporary Challenges
Despite historical efforts, contemporary challenges to monotheism persist. Globalization, cultural exchange, and the rise of secular ideologies pose new hurdles for preserving monotheistic principles.
Muslims face the task of navigating a complex world while upholding their faith in the face of diverse beliefs.
A. Cultural Influences
Globalization has led to increased cultural interchange, exposing societies to a variety of beliefs and practices.
Muslims, now more than ever, must remain vigilant against the subtle infiltration of polytheistic ideas into their cultural and religious practices.
B. Interfaith Understanding
While Islam promotes dialogue with people of other faiths, the challenge lies in maintaining the integrity of monotheistic beliefs amid diverse perspectives.
Building bridges of understanding requires Muslims to articulate their faith clearly and engage in conversations that foster mutual respect.

In Conclusion
The concept of polytheism, or shirk, is central to Islamic theology. Islam vehemently opposes the worship of multiple deities, emphasizing Tawhid as the cornerstone of faith.
The Qur’an and the teachings of Prophet Muhammad provide clear guidance on recognizing and combatting polytheistic beliefs.
Understanding the consequences of polytheism is essential for Muslims to fortify their faith and engage in constructive dialogue with people of diverse beliefs.
Tawhid, the essence of monotheism, permeates all aspects of Islamic life, from the acknowledgment of one God to the acts of worship and devotion.
Historical efforts against polytheism, such as iconoclasm and the establishment of educational institutions, serve as a testament to Islam’s commitment to preserving monotheistic principles.
In the face of contemporary challenges, Muslims are tasked with upholding monotheistic beliefs amidst cultural influences and fostering interfaith understanding.
Through education, outreach, and unwavering commitment to Tawhid, Muslims can contribute to a world where diverse faiths coexist harmoniously, respecting each other’s beliefs while steadfastly upholding the oneness of Allah.
I hope Understanding Polytheism (Shirk) in Islam: Origins, Concepts, and Consequences is now clear.
Understanding Polytheism (Shirk) in Islam: Origins, Concepts, and Consequences
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