IMAAN V/S SHIRK

"Those who have Imaan and do not mix their Imaan with wrong-doing, only such people will have safety and only they are rightly guided." (6:82)

ETERNAL SALVATION – FOR WHOM?

Two rewards have been mentioned here—safety and Hidayah (guidance). Safety from the punishments in the Hereafter (Aakhirah) and guidance (Hidayah) in this world. Safety in the Hereafter refers to complete and eternal salvation. And now, safety in the Hereafter is based on Hidayah (guidance) in this world. There is no Hidayah without Imaan (faith). In short, eternal salvation is only for the one who leaves this world (Dunya) with Imaan.

WHO ARE THOSE WHO ARE GUIDED AND BELIEVING ON THIS EARTH?

According to the above verse, they are those who have not mixed ortarnished their Imaan with any kind of Zulm (injustice). What is Zulm?

Literally translated, Zulm means "inappropriate treatment." For example, it is equivalent to putting one's cap on one's foot or wearing one's sock on one's head. In such cases, the cap and sock have not been used where they should have been—meaning, they are not in their proper places. Similarly, when a person takes the Qur'an in his left hand and his shoes in his right hand, he commits Zulm, as he has not given the Qur'an the proper respect it deserves.

This is why, when a person violates the rights of his fellow human being, he is said to have committed Zulm (injustice), because he has not treated his fellow man as he should have.

According to the Shari'ah, Zulm, in a general sense, includes all kinds of disobedience—minor or major—towards the Supreme Creator, who is the very source of the universe's existence and the Guarantor of its survival and well-being. Allah alone deserves our worship and obedience. However, worship and obedience to Allah are valid only when they are in accordance with the principles of Rasulullah (Sallallaahu'Alaihi Wasallam).

Every act of disobedience towards the Creator carries within it the potential for instability, social injustice, and immorality in the universe. It is by complying with the commandments of Allah Ta'ala, according to the principles of Rasulullah (Sallallaahu'Alaihi Wasallam), that every atom in the universe finds its proper place. Otherwise, instability is inevitable.

In light of the above verse, a person's eternal salvation in the Hereafter depends on whether his faith (Imaan) was in accordance with the principles of Rasulullah (Sallallaahu'Alaihi Wasallam) and whether he left this world with Imaan—untainted and free from corruption.

If this is the case, then it follows that a person who has faith (Imaan) but has committed sins will not be a candidate for eternal salvation. When this verse was revealed, the Sahabah (Radiyallahuanhum) were distressed because they interpreted the word Zulm in its broadest meaning. Based on this interpretation, they feared that even minor disobedience would be enough to deprive a person of eternal salvation.

However, the Prophet (Sallallaahu 'Alaihi Wasallam) clarified to them that, in this context, Zulm specifically refers to Shirk (associating partners with Allah).

In light of this explanation, the verse (Surah Al-An’am, 6:82) teaches us that safety in the Hereafter and eternal salvation apply only to the person who leaves this world with Imaan in accordance with the teachings of Rasulullah (Sallallaahu 'Alaihi Wasallam), without an atom of Shirk being mixed with his faith.

THE GRAVITY OF SHIRK

According to verse 13 of SurahLuqman (31:13), Shirk is the greatest injustice (Zulm),as it is the height of ingratitude towards one's Creator—the One and only provider of all the necessities of creation. A person who dies upon Shirk will never attain salvation; he will remain in Hell forever.

In a Hadith, Rasulullah (Sallallaahu 'Alaihi Wasallam) referred to Shirk as "Akbarul-Kabaa'ir"—the most serious of all sins.

It is important to note that one does not have to worship idols to become a "mushrik". Associating someone in any of the attributes of Allah Ta'ala also constitutes Shirk, and the person thereby becomes a "mushrik".

Prosperity, wealth, poverty, health, illness, and all aspects of life are solely dependent on the One Creator—Allah alone. No one has the power to bring benefit or harm except Allah Ta'ala.

Allah says:

"And besides Allah, do not call on any being who cannot benefit nor harm you. If you do so, then you will surely be of the oppressors. If Allah afflicts you with harm, none can remove it besides Him. If He intends good for you, none can prevent His grace. He bestows His graceon those of His bondsmen whom He pleases and He is the Most Forgiving, the Most Merciful." (10:106-107)

There is only One who knows everything. There is only One who sees everything and has power over everything. He is Allah Ta'ala.

To believe that there is another being who knows everything, sees everything, or is capable of doing everything—or to believe that someone other than Allah is omnipresent (i.e., present everywhere at once)—is committing Shirk.

A person who holds such a belief cannot be called a "believer." As a result, he does not possessHidayah, because he has mixed his Imaan with Shirk. And since he does not have Hidayah, he will not attain eternal salvation in the Aakhirah.

[English version of "Imaan v/s chirk" – Al Haadi – Vol. 3 No. 3]