Idol Worship, the Unforgivable Sin in Islam (if maintained until death)

𝐈𝐝𝐨𝐥 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩, 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐔𝐧𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐠𝐢𝐯𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐒𝐢𝐧 𝐢𝐧 𝐈𝐬𝐥𝐚𝐦 (𝐢𝐟 𝐦𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐥 𝐝𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐡)

Mohamad Mostafa Nassar
Twitter:@NassarMohamadMR

What is the meaning of idol worship and what are the type of idols?

First Read this Chapre from the Glorious Holy Quran that highlist that Muslims worship THE LORD of this House which the black stone is in:

A simple definition of idol worship is to believe that anything beside God can help us, or to hold something as more important to us than God. Thus if we hold our property (for example) as more important than God, or give our jobs more time and attention than God—we are committing idol worship.

Unfortunately, Some of people who believe in God commit this gross offense without even realizing it. If you ask them,”Who is your God” ?”, they will be outraged to hear this question. “What do you mean, `Who is your God?’

They will ask, `My god is the Creator of the heavens and the earth.’ ” And most of these people will be shocked to find out that their proclamation that their God is the Creator of the heavens and the earth is no more than lip service.

And that they are in fact destined for Hell, Allah Says: “And most of them believe not in Allah except while they associate others with Him.” Quran (12:106).

Idol worship is a gross injustice, the violation of the first commandment in all the scriptures of God, and is an unforgivable sin if maintained until death.

“And [mention, O Muḥammad], when Luqmān said to his son while he was instructing him, “O my son, do not associate [anything] with Allah. Indeed, association [with Him] is great injustice.” Qur’an (31:13)

Footnote:

*31:13 How will you feel if you take care of a child, give him the best education, and prepare him for life, only to see him thank someone else? Thus is idolatry; injustice.

“And most of them believe not in Allah except while they associate others with Him.” Qur’an (2:106)

The Unforgivable Sin

“Indeed, Allah does not forgive association with Him, but He forgives what is less than that for whom He wills. And he who associates others with Allah has certainly fabricated a tremendous sin.” Qur’an (4:48)

Footnote:

4:48 Idol worship is not forgivable, if maintained until death. One can always repent from any offense, including idolatry, before death comes.

“But repentance is not [accepted] of those who [continue to] do evil deeds up until, when death comes to one of them, he says, “Indeed, I have repented now,” or of those who die while they are disbelievers. For them We have prepared a painful punishment.” Qur’an (4:18)

“Say, [O Muḥammad], “Indeed, I have been forbidden to worship those you call upon besides Allah once the clear proofs have come to me from my Lord, and I have been commanded to submit to the Lord of the worlds.” Qur’an (40:66)

The Unforgivable Sin

“Indeed, Allah does not forgive association with Him, but He forgives what is less than that for whom He wills. And he who associates others with Allah has certainly gone far astray.” Qur’an (4:116)

God tells us that idol worshiping nullifies all work and any good deeds.

Any work we do, if not devoted absolutely to God, does not serve to grow our souls. On the day of Resurrection, if our souls have not grown strong enough to withstand the presence of God—we will have to forsake God’s kingdom on our own volition. Everything we have done in this world will be nullified.

“And it was already revealed to you and to those before you that if you should associate [anything] with Allah, your work would surely become worthless, and you would surely be among the losers.” Quran (39:65)

The natural instinct of monotheism that God has placed in us (30:30), to make it easier for us to choose the right path) commands us to dedicate our worship to God Alone, and not associate anything with God. All places of worship should be dedicated to God Alone. Belief in God includes the understanding that He alone is worthy of worship.

“And [He revealed] that the masjids are for Allah, so do not invoke with Allah anyone.” Qur’an (72:18)

Many so-called Muslims commit mistake by associating Muhammad with God at the places of worship, and by upholding Hadith and Sunna falsely attributed to prophet Muhammad. For example, mentioning the names of Abraham, Muhammad, and/or Ali in the Azan and/or the Salat prayers violates Allah’s commandments in:

“Say, [O believers], “We have believed in Allah and what has been revealed to us and what has been revealed to Abraham and Ishmael and Isaac and Jacob and the Descendants [al-Asbāṭ]¹ and what was given to Moses and Jesus and what was given to the prophets from their Lord. We make no distinction between any of them, and we are Muslims [in submission] to Him.” Quran (2:136)

“The Messenger has believed in what was revealed to him from his Lord, and [so have] the believers. All of them have believed in Allah and His angels and His books and His messengers, [saying], “We make no distinction between any of His messengers.” And they say, “We hear and we obey. [We seek] Your forgiveness, our Lord, and to You is the [final] destination.” Quran (2:285)

“Say, “We have believed in Allah and in what was revealed to us and what was revealed to Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob, and the Descendants [al-Asbāṭ], and in what was given to Moses and Jesus and to the prophets from their Lord. We make no distinction between any of them, and we are Muslims [submitting] to Him.” Qur’an (3:84)

“And [He revealed] that the masjids are for Allah, so do not invoke with Allah anyone.” Qur’an (72:18)

Unfortunately, this is a common idolatrous practice throughout Some parts of Muslim world due to lack of abding by the true teachings of Islam as was sent to Prophet Muhammed peace be upon him and practiced by his companions.

Christians commit the Grand sin of idolatry by exalting Jesus to the same level as God, or sometimes by even calling him God. This is idol worship. In Matthew 7:21-23: Jesus clearly disowns those who call him “Lord.”

True and False Disciples

²¹“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. ²²Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ ²³Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’

No doubt also that Jews had fallen into Grand sin of idolatry by associating their Rabbais and even so called dead saints in worship beside Allah Exalted He.

Allah Exalted He says in the meaning:

“The Jews say, “Ezra is the son of Allah”; and the Christians say, “The Messiah is the son of Allah.” That is their statement from their mouths; they imitate the saying of those who disbelieved before [them]. May Allah destroy them; how are they deluded? They have taken their scholars and monks as lords besides Allah,

And [also] the Messiah, the son of Mary.And they were not commanded except to worship one God; there is no deity except Him. Exalted is He above whatever they associate with Him.” Qur’an (9:30-31)

Obviously those who worship cows, sun, moon, animals and any other creatures that have commited the Grand sin of idolatry

Types of Idols

Idol worship includes, but is not just restricted to the worship of statues or icons. The Quran cites many forms of idol worship. Some of these are listed below.

1. Calf, statues as idols.

“And [recall] when We made an appointment with Moses for forty nights. Then you took [for worship] the calf after him [i.e., his departure], while you were wrongdoers.” Quran (2:51)

“And We had certainly given Abraham his sound judgement before, and We were of him well-Knowing, When he said to his father and his people, “What are these statues to which you are devoted? They said, “We found our fathers worshippers of them.” Quran (21:51-53)

2. Worshipping other gods (is worshipping the devil).

“They call upon instead of Him none but female [deities], and they [actually] call upon none but a rebellious Satan” Quran (4:117)

3. Jesus as an idol.

“This day [all] good foods have been made lawful, and the food of those who were given the Scripture is lawful for you and your food is lawful for them. And [lawful in marriage are] chaste women from among the believers and chaste women from among those who were given the Scripture before you,

when you have given them their due compensation, desiring chastity, not unlawful sexual intercourse or taking [secret] lovers. And whoever denies the faith – his work has become worthless, and he, in the Hereafter, will be among the losers.” Quran (5:72)

4. Jinns as idols.

“But they have attributed to Allah partners – the jinn, while He has created them – and have fabricated for Him sons and daughters without knowledge. Exalted is He and high above what they describe.” Quran (6:100)

5. Children as idols.

“But when He gives them a good [child], they¹ ascribe partners to Him concerning that which He has given them. Exalted is Allah above what they associate with Him.” Quran (7:190)

6. Humans as idols.

“Indeed, those you [polytheists] call upon besides Allah are servants [i.e., creations] like you. So call upon them and let them respond to you, if you should be truthful.” Quran (7:194)

7. “Intercessors” as Idols. The Quran makes it clear that there is in intercession by anyone on the Day of Judgment EXCEPT whom Allah exalted give permission to:

Types of Intercession in Islam

“And they worship other than Allah that which neither harms them nor benefits them, and they say, “These are our intercessors with Allah.” Say, “Do you inform Allah of something He does not know in the heavens or on the earth?” Exalted is He and high above what they associate with Him.” Quran (10:18)

AND the following Quranic Verses Complements the meaning of the abobe-mentioned verses to highlight that Allah Exalted He give permissions for whome He allow on Judgement day to intercede

“Allah – there is no deity except Him, the Ever-Living, the Self-Sustaining. Neither drowsiness overtakes Him nor sleep. To Him belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth. Who is it that can intercede with Him except by His permission?

He knows what is [presently] before them and what will be after them, and they encompass not a thing of His knowledge except for what He wills. His Kursī extends over the heavens and the earth, and their preservation tires Him not. And He is the Most High, the Most Great.” Quran (2:255)

8. Satan as an idol.

“And Satan will say when the matter has been concluded, “Indeed, Allah had promised you the promise of truth. And I promised you, but I betrayed you. But I had no authority over you except that I invited you, and you responded to me. So do not blame me; but blame yourselves. I cannot be called to your aid, nor can you be called to my aid. Indeed, I deny your association of me [with Allah] before.¹ Indeed, for the wrongdoers is a painful punishment.” Quran (14:22)

9. Property as an idol.

“And present to them an example of two men: We granted to one of them two gardens of grapevines, and We bordered them with palm trees and placed between them [fields of] crops. Each of the two gardens produced its fruit and did not fall short thereof in anything.

And We caused to gush forth within them a river. And he had fruit, so he said to his companion while he was conversing with him, “I am greater than you in wealth and mightier in [numbers of] men.

And he entered his garden while he was unjust to himself.¹ He said, “I do not think that this will perish – ever.And I do not think the Hour will occur. And even if I should be brought back to my Lord, I will surely find better than this as a return. Quran (18:32-36)

10. The dead prophets, messengers and saints as idols.

[16:20-21] As for the idols they set up beside GOD, they do not create anything; they themselves were created. They are dead, not alive, and they have no idea how or when they will be resurrected.

[3:79] Never would a human being whom GOD blessed with the scripture and prophethood say to the people, “Idolize me beside GOD.” Instead, (he would say), “Devote yourselves absolutely to your Lord alone,” according to the scripture you preach and the teachings you learn.

“And his fruits were encompassed [by ruin], so he began to turn his hands about [in dismay] over what he had spent on it, while it had collapsed upon its trellises, and said, “Oh, I wish I had not associated with my Lord anyone.” Quran (18:42)

11. God’s servants as idols.

“Then do those who disbelieve think that they can take My servants instead of Me as allies? Indeed, We have prepared Hell for the disbelievers as a lodging.” Quran (18:102)

The idol need not be an image in front of you.

12. Ego as an idol.

This is a common form of idolatry. Most humans, because of their ego cannot bring themselves to worship God, nor can they make their opinion subordinate to God’s opinion spelled out in the Quran because of their ego. If we disobey God and His messenger, we are committing idol worship even though there is no image in front of us. This is because we would be giving our opinion more importance than God’s words.

“Have you seen the one who takes as his god his own desire? Then would you be responsible for him? Quran (25:43)

“Have you seen he who has taken as his god his [own] desire, and Allah has sent him astray due to knowledge¹ and has set a seal upon his hearing and his heart and put over his vision a veil? So who will guide him after Allah? Then will you not be reminded?” Quran (45:23)

13. Upholding religious Sources other than God’s words, as an idol

As a Submitter (Muslim) if we follow a source other than Quran for religious guidance it is idolatry. Verse 6:19 makes it clear that the Quran is God’s testimony. Following any other source is defined as idolatry. Worshipping God means we obey His words only (Quran and Authentic Sunnah and commentary of our beloved Prophet Muhammed and his companions who followed him) and not the words of humans (scholars, religious leaders, mullahs, etc.) that does not follow the Authentic teachings of Islam.

“Say, “What thing is greatest in testimony?” Say, “Allah is witness between me and you. And this Qur’ān was revealed to me that I may warn you thereby and whomever it reaches. Do you [truly] testify that with Allah there are other deities?” Say, “I will not testify [with you].” Say, “Indeed, He is but one God, and indeed, I am free of what you associate [with Him].” Quran (6:19)

14. Religious leaders and scholars as idols.

Upholding the Teachings of Religious Leaders, Instead of God’s Teachings

“They have taken their scholars and monks as lords besides Allah, and [also] the Messiah, the son of Mary. And they were not commanded except to worship one God; there is no deity except Him. Exalted is He above whatever they associate with Him.” Quran (9:31)

Footnote: *9:31

If you consult the “misguided scholars” about worshiping God alone, and upholding the word of God alone, as taught in this proven scripture, they will advise you against it. If you consult the Pope about the identity of Jesus, he will advise you to uphold a trinity. If you obey the “Misguided scholars” whose advice is contrary to God’s teachings, or if you take the Pope’s advice instead of God’s, you have set up these religious leaders as gods instead of God.

Solution is to abide by the Authentic Islamic teachings as Prophet Muhammed taught us, his great companions and our pious predecessors= Salaf Al Salih practiced Islam as agreed by the vast majority of the conscious agreement of Muslim schoars.

15. Creating sects in religion is idol worship.

The Quran forbids dividing ourselves into sects. Those who divide into sects are termed as idol worshippers.

“So direct your face [i.e., self] toward the religion, inclining to truth. [Adhere to] the fiṭrah¹ of Allah upon which He has created [all] people. No change should there be in the creation of Allah.² That is the correct religion, but most of the people do not know. [Adhere to it], turning in repentance to Him, and fear Him and establish prayer and do not be of those who associate others with Allah” Quran (30:30-31)

16. Dividing believers and providing comfort to those who oppose God and His messengers is practicing idol worship.

“And [there are] those [hypocrites] who took for themselves a mosque for causing harm and disbelief and division among the believers and as a station for whoever had warred against Allah and His Messenger before. And they will surely swear, “We intended only the best.” And Allah testifies that indeed they are liars.” Quran (9:107)

We learn from the Quran that idols cannot judge “

And Allah judges with truth, while those they invoke¹ besides Him judge not with anything. Indeed, Allah – He is the Hearing, the Seeing.” Quran (40:20)

Idols cannot create anything and are powerless

“Say, “Who is Lord of the heavens and earth?” Say, “Allah.” Say, “Have you then taken besides Him allies not possessing [even] for themselves any benefit or any harm?” Say, “Is the blind equivalent to the seeing? Or is darkness equivalent to light? Or have they attributed to Allah partners who created like His creation so that the creation [of each] seemed similar to them?” Say, “Allah is the Creator of all things, and He is the One, the Prevailing” Quran (13:16)

AND

“Say, [O Muḥammad], “Have you considered that which you invoke besides Allah? Show me what they have created of the earth; or did they have partnership in [creation of] the heavens? Bring me a scripture [revealed] before this or a [remaining] trace of knowledge, if you should be truthful.” Quran (46:4)

Idols do not bring us closer to God.

“Unquestionably, for Allah is the pure religion.¹ And those who take protectors besides Him [say], “We only worship them that they may bring us nearer to Allah in position.” Indeed, Allah will judge between them concerning that over which they differ. Indeed, Allah does not guide he who is a liar and [confirmed] disbeliever.” Quran (39:3)

We learn that idolaters follow conjecture

“Those who associated [others] with Allah will say, “If Allah had willed, we would not have associated [anything] and neither would our fathers, nor would we have prohibited anything.” Likewise did those before deny until they tasted Our punishment. Say, “Do you have any knowledge that you can produce for us? You follow not except assumption, and you are not but misjudging.” Quran (6:148)

Idolaters deny their idol worship — now & on the Day of Judgment

“And [mention, O Muḥammad], the Day We will gather them all together; then We will say to those who associated others with Allah, “Where are your ‘partners’ that you used to claim [with Him]? Then there will be no [excuse upon] examination except they will say, “By Allah, our Lord, we were not those who associated. See how they will lie about themselves. And lost from them will be what they used to invent.” Quran (6:22-24)

God grants perfect security and happiness for believers who are devoted to Him alone without committing idol worship.

“They who believe and do not mix their belief with injustice¹ – those will have security, and they are [rightly] guided” Quran (6:82)

“But those who have avoided ṭāghūt,lest they worship it, and turned back to Allah – for them are good tidings. So give good tidings to My servants” Quran (39:17)

May God protect us from worshiping idols.

“And [mention, O Muḥammad], when Abraham said, “My Lord, make this city [i.e., Makkah] secure and keep me and my sons away from worshipping idols.” Quran (14:35)

AND

“Say, “Indeed, my prayer, my rites of sacrifice, my living and my dying are for Allah, Lord of the worlds. No partner has He. And this I have been commanded, and I am the first [among you] of the Muslims. Say, “Is it other than Allah I should desire as a lord while He is the Lord of all things?

And every soul earns not [blame] except against itself, and no bearer of burdens will bear the burden of another. Then to your Lord is your return, and He will inform you concerning that over which you used to differ.” Quran (6:162-164)

𝐌𝐞𝐜𝐜𝐚 𝐄𝐱𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐛𝐞𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐂𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲

They say that the history of Arabia has no evidence for the existence of Makkah before the advent of Christianity.In fact, there are references to the city and sanctuary of Makkah even in the Old Testament. But in the following lines I will not bask upon references from the Bible but instead share a secular historical evidence to refute the lie.

Diodorus Siculus, a first century B.C. Greek historian while discussing Arabia writes.“The people that inhabit these parts are called Bizomenians and live upon wild beasts taken in hunting. Here is a sacred temple in high veneration among all the Arabians.” (The Historical Library of the Diodorus the Sicilian, Translated by G. Booth, Esq., J. Davis Military Chronicle Office, London 1814 vol.1 p.184)

This certainly is a reference to Makkah. Georgi Zaidan (d. 1914 C.E.), a Christian Arab from Beirut writes in his book Al- ‘Arab Qabl al-Islam (Arabs before Islam).

“There is no mention of Makkah or Ka’ba in the books of the Greeks of antiquity except what is found in the book of Diodorus Siculus of the first century before Christ in his discussion about the Nabateans. In that he refers to Makkah and he writes, ‘And beyond the land of the Nabateans is the region of Bizomenians.

And there is a sacred temple in high veneration among all the Arabs.’”And he does not just stop here, he even explains as to whom Diodorus refers to by using the word, “Bizomenians.” He writes (Arabic wording is given in the image above).

“As to the ‘Bizomenians’; sometimes by it are intended the Jurhamites or other Arabian tribes who were the custodians of Makkah.” (Al-‘Arab Qabl al-Islam, Al-Hilal publishers Cairo, second ed. vol.1 p.244)

So, we find a Christian testifying for and expounding historical evidence for Makkah from pre-Christian times.Similarly, another Arab Christian, Jesuit Louis Cheikho (d. 1927 C.E.) in his work titled, ‘al-Nasaraniyah wa adaabuha bayn ‘Arab al-Jahaliyyah’ (The Christianity and Its Literature amongst the Arabs of Pre-Islamic Times) also refers to the same quotation from Diodorus Siculus and takes it like Zaidan.

(See al-Nasaraniyah wa adaabuha bayn ‘Arab al-Jahaliyya, Darul Mashriq, Beirut second ed. 1989 p.14)
Hopefully, objective readers will find this piece useful. So, it’s a clear fact that Muslims do not worship the stone, but we are following our prophet peace be upon him who said that stone will be a witness on the day of Judgement.
𝐀𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐍𝐨𝐧-𝐂𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐧 𝐭𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐌𝐮𝐬𝐥𝐢𝐦𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐁𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐤-𝐒𝐭𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬

Christian Hypocrisy and the Black Stone in Mecca

Let’s compare between the black stone in Islam and Bible stone -Joshua 24:26-27 it shall be a witness against us, it has heard all the words the Lord said, Isaiah 6:5-7 it KISSED someone and forgave his sins –

We Muslim kiss the black stone, but according to Bible stone itself kissed someone, Christians don’t talk about that, how can a stone kiss others?

-Christians should educate themselves and learn what idolatry is? None of the prophets of Bible practiced Christianity nor worshipped the false TRIUNE God, nor Jesus did that!!! –

Christians are false WORSHIPPERS and false FOLLOWERS of Jesus (John 4:22-24)

Kissing in reference to the black stone.

Is it proven in the hadith that whoever kisses the Black Stone will be admitted to Paradise without being brought to account?

What is the wisdom behind circumambulating the Kaaba seven times? What is the meaning of tawaf (circumambulation)

Why there is a gender mixing during Hajj and Umrah – Pilgrimage in Mecca?

Why Muslims Walk Around The ‘Kaaba’ in the Haram Mosque in Mecca

If Kaaba was the first house of worship, why did Prophet Muhammed start out by praying towards Al Masjid Ala Aqsa in Palestine?

Why do Muslims kiss the Kaaba stone?

Black stone in Mecca worship Refutation

Christian hypocrisy regarding Muslims praying facing Mecca.

Malicious Allegations About the Black Stone and Their Refutations

Physical Description of the Black Stone (al-Hajar al-Aswad)

The Bible’s holy stones. They even get anointed with oil. Let us look at the Bible’s sacred black stones