By G.M.Shakir (Adv.)

Though all the religions had laid down the principle that the universe is ruled by single entity without having any interference from anyone. But certain elements played a great role where by the human beings assigned and ascribed the partners to that entity. One of the reasons of such change was in ancient times there were no sources for preserving the religious scripts as is available today. For centuries, the religious books where unwritten and were remembered by memory. Besides only certain class of persons was authorized to read the scripts or attain the knowledge of holy books. Since the sacred knowledge was not preserved to the extent it was deserving same situation as of a river came into existence.

At the source, it is clear but as it flows down the dirt and filth mixes with the water and water loses quality, colour and taste. This mixing of human ideas with divine knowledge led to different concepts regarding the oneness and reality of creator. One of such ideologies was incarnation of Allah. That is creator himself takes shape of a human being and at the same time the concept of multiplicity of Gods also came into existence. It was also held by some thinkers, that lord himself cannot be source of evil. So it is necessary that there must be two powers. One who promotes, supports and brings up good (light) and called ‘Yazdan’ and another who teaches, preaches, supports and fosters evil (darkness) called ‘Aharman’. Certain philosophers created the idea of trinity. Thereby assigning the partners to Allah. The Quran says that all the Prophets (AS) led the people to the belief of one ruler i.e., there is a single entity who rules the universe without any interference from any other power. This was taught by Moses, Ibrahim, Nuh and all other Prophets including the last (SAW). The Quran makes clear that it is the decree of Allah to worship him, not only he is to be worshipped but only he is to be worshipped.

This decree is in the following words “Thy lord hath decreed that ye worship none save him”. Since this is a command so it is to be followed in letter and spirit. There is no exception to this decree and one has to follow this in every situation. The Prophet (SAW) had made it clear that this basic principle of believing in oneness of Allah is to be followed at all costs “Do not ascribe partners to Allah, even if you are murdered or burnt”. The Quran as well as the Prophet (SAW) had forbidden strictly against ascribing the partners to Allah. The gravity of sin remains same if any partner is ascribed in any of the qualities or rights of Allah. The gravity can be explained by an example. After the mention of saving oneself from polytheism, Quran lays down the rights of parents and the Prophet (SAW) have also said that heaven is under the feet of your mothers.

The Quran reads “and (that ye show) kindness to parents if one of them or both of them attain to old age with thee say not fie to them”. Regarding the relation of son with father so far as the property is concerned the Prophet (SAW) informed to a son “You and your property is of your father”, but the duty to obey them seizes once they try to ask the son or daughter to ascribe partners to Allah. In Surah ‘Lukman’ the command to disobey them has been specifically given in the following words “But if they strive with thee to make thee to ascribe me as partner that of which thou hast no knowledge, then obey them not”. This verse makes clear that the gravity of sin of ascribing partners to Allah. The verse before the verse quoted ut infra reads “Lukman” advises his son not to ascribe partner to Allah saying “Behold, Lukman said to his son admonishing him’ oh my son! Join not in worship (others) with Allah: For false worship is indeed the highest wrongdoing”. The translator has used the word wrong doing equal to ‘Zulum’.

However, the most appropriate would have been “Injustice”. Why it is highest wrongdoing or injustice is obvious. Injustice or wrongdoing is an act whereby a person is deprived his rights or status or conferring his rights to any person not entitled. In case of ascribing partners same thing is done. A person receives everything from Allah but says that such and such persons or entities provided him with everything. Similarly but not e.g., a father makes every effort to provide all comforts to his son and if the son instead of thanking or praising the father says some other person has provided him with these amenities. There is no person who will not call the act of son injustice and wrongdoing. Since the gravity of sin is highest the deterrent punishment has been provided for it. The Quran declares that one who ascribes partners to Allah shall have to meet dangerous punishment “Allah forgiveth not, that partners should be set-up with him: but he forgiveth anything else, to whom he pleaseth, to set-up partners with Allah is to devise a sin, most heinous indeed. ‘Nissa’. “There is reason for such heinous punishment i.e., Allah is having sense of honour above all of his creation and in case of ‘Shirk’ his status and dignity is given to any person or any other entity treating him at par with him.

A man may bear conquetry of his wife and forget/forgive any loss sustained by him due to negligence or fault of her, but once the basic status and rights are granted to any person other than her husband the act will not be tolerated at any cost by the husband. Similar is the case of ascribing partners and other sins. Allah in his mercifulness may forgive any wrong but ascribing the partners is not tolerable. Accordingly Quran provides in the chapter ‘Maida’ “Lo Allah, pardoneth not that partners should be ascribed unto him. He pardneth all save that to whom he will, who so ever ascribeth partners unto Allah hath wandered far astray” Allah is creator and manager of universe and no king can bear that anybody is deemed equal to him in his country and if anyone says so he is liable according to the mundane law to be tried and punished of dangerous crime of mutiny. Once a person ascribes partners to Allah is declaring that the partners are also creators of universe and as powerful as Allah. Thus making them equal and powerful to the extent Allah is. Hence is a sort of mutiny and liable to be dealt with as such. The king may forgive any act of violation of law, but once his authority is challenged, is it possible for him to leave the culprit unpunished.

The laws provide deterrent punishment for mutiny and religion provides more deterrent punishment for ascribing partners to Allah. As it is a challenge to his authority. This aspect of ascribing partners to Allah is such as renders a person’s entrance in heaven impossible. Jesus has been quoted in Quran saying who so ever ascribeth partners unto Allah, for him Allah hath forbidden paradise. His abode is in the fire. For evil doer there will be no helpers. There verses clearly lay down dangers of the sin, though the Prophets (AS) can not fall a prey to this but while warning of dire consequences of this act Quran after mentioning 18 Prophets in chapter ‘Anam’ says “But if they had set-up for (worship) aught besides him all that they did would have been in vain”. The greatest of Prophets (SAW) has also been told the consequences in chapter ‘Zamar’ “And verily it hath been revealed unto thee and unto those before thee (saying), if thou ascribe a partner to Allah, there work will fail and though indeed will be among the losers”. These verses make it clear that the offence of ascribing partners to Allah is very dangerous and every deed done by a person becomes useless if he is guilty of this sin, but at the same time it does never mean that Prophets (AS) could have done so.