Idolatry or Submission
Cont’d from page 1
For example, if we choose to put our fingers in the fire, then
we are responsible for this deed. The Quran further explains this
concept in Sura ‘Parties.’
We have offered the responsibility (freedom of choice)
to the heavens and the earth, and the mountains, but they refused
to bear it, and were afraid of it. But the human being accepted
it; he was transgressing, ignorant. (33:72)
This happened before the creation of human on earth when we were
just souls in the heaven. As it suggests, our Most Gracious God
offered us not to be responsible for our own deeds, but we did not
take His advice. Other creatures accepted their submissive role
without being responsible for their actions. Therefore it was the
humans who made a choice to have the freedom of choice and be responsible
for what they did. As we can see, all other creatures are happy
and provided for:
There is not a creature on earth whose provision
is not guaranteed by God. And He knows its course and its final
destiny. All are recorded in a profound record. (11:6)
After establishing the fact that God is in control and we are responsible
for our own deeds, if any of us still thinks that any other entity
beside God can help us, then we are in fact refusing the fact that
God alone is in control. Any person thinking this way practices
idolatry, and he is responsible for this act according to the verse
42:30. At this point it makes sense to understand
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the idols and idolatry so that sincere
believers can benefit from this information.
The concept of idol worship by the majority is someone who is praying
to a statue. While this is true, it is just the tip of an iceberg.
Idolatry covers a very wide area. The Quran informs us of different
idols. One of the most subtle and common idols today is the saints
and prophets. You have heard about Jesus being idol worshipped by
Christians, but have you considered the fact that today’s
Muslims can be idolizing Prophet Muhammad? First let us refer to
the verse where God explains that His servants cannot be set up
as idols:
Do those who disbelieve think that they can get away
with setting up My servants as gods beside Me? We have prepared
for the disbelievers Hell as an eternal abode. (18:102)
Before we can prove the fact that idolizing of Muhammad is common
today, let us find out what the prophet would think of us idolizing
him:
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. Nor would he command you to idolize
the angels and the prophets as lords. Would he exhort you to disbelieve
after becoming submitters? (3:79-80)
It is quite clear from the above verses that Prophet Muhammad would
never ask us to idolize him, and the people who do this are disbelievers
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according to these verses. We have to
be honest and ask ourselves: If we think that the prophet can bring
us closer to God, or he can benefit or harm us, then according to
the following verse we will be idolizing him:
Absolutely, the religion shall be devoted to God
alone. Those who set up idols beside Him say, “We idolize
them only to bring us closer to God; for they are in a better position!”
God will judge them regarding their disputes. God does not guide
such liars, disbelievers. (39:3)
If we think that the prophet brings us closer to God when God condemns
this action, and calls the people who do this disbelievers, then
we’d better stop doing this and devote our worship to God.
Indeed, God Almighty does not need the help of Jesus, Muhammad or
anybody to approach Him. He clearly says in the Quran that He is
always near believers.
When My servants ask you about Me, I am always near.
I answer their prayers when they pray to Me. The people shall respond
to Me and believe in Me, in order to be guided. (2:186)
Those who believe, and do not pollute their belief
with idol worship, have deserved the perfect security, and they
are truly guided. [6:82]
Ijaz Chaudry
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