Understanding Why Association with Allah is the Greatest Sin

Question:

Why did Allah condemn Shirk (polytheism), and why has He threatened the polytheist with non-forgiveness and eternal punishment in the Fire?

Answer:

Allah condemned Shirk and threatened the polytheist with a lack of forgiveness and eternal residence in the Fire if he dies upon it because it is the greatest sin with which Allah is disobeyed, and the greatest thing He has prohibited. For this reason, He has informed us that He will not forgive it for its practitioner if he dies upon his Shirk without repenting, that the deeds of its practitioner are nullified, and that there is no one more astray than the one who commits it. Allah the Almighty says: “Verily, Allah forgives not that partners should be set up with him in worship, but He forgives except that (anything else) to whom He pleases, and whoever sets up partners with Allah in worship, he has indeed invented a tremendous sin.” [An-Nisa: 48]

And He says: “Verily! Joining others in worship with Allah is a great Zulm (wrong) indeed.” [Luqman: 13].

Whoever associates anyone else with Allah has equated the Creator with the creation, made the creation an equal (Nid) to Allah, and directed types of worship to them that none deserve except Allah. Therefore, Allah threatened its practitioner with eternity in the Fire, as He says: “Verily, whosoever sets up partners in worship with Allah, then Allah has forbidden Paradise for him, and the Fire will be his abode. And for the Zalimun (polytheists and wrong-doers) there are no helpers.” [Al-Ma’idah: 72].

Furthermore, the Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace), when asked what sin is greatest, said: “That you make an equal for Allah while He created you.” It was asked, “Then what?” He said: “That you kill your child out of fear that they will eat with you.” It was asked, “Then what?” He said: “That you commit adultery with the wife of your neighbor.” 1

Consequently, Allah revealed regarding this His saying: {And those who do not invoke with Allah another deity or kill the soul which Allah has forbidden [to be killed], except by right, and do not commit unlawful sexual intercourse} [Surah Al-Furqan: 68].

And with Allah is all success, and may Allah send blessings and peace upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and his companions.

  1. Narrated from the Hadith of Abdullah (may Allah be pleased with him) by: Ahmad (1/380, 431, 434, 462), Al-Bukhari (5/148, 6/14, 7/5, 8/21, 34, 207, 210-211), Muslim (1/90, 91, no. 86), Abu Dawud (2/732, no. 2310), At-Tirmidhi (5/336, 337, nos. 3182, 3183), An-Nasa’i (7/89-90, 90, nos. 4013-4015), Abu Ya’la (9/32-33, no. 5098), Ibn Hibban (10/262, 263, 265, nos. 4414-4416), and Al-Bayhaqi (8/18). ↩