Introduction
- A Muslim regards iman as the greatest blessing; he builds his life on it and does not hesitate to give up anything to protect it.
- To protect iman, knowledge of the things that stain it is necessary.
1. Ilhad (الإلحاد) – atheism
- Ilhad = atheism.
- Main aim: to abolish religions in the world.
- By denying that God exists, it rejects divine guidance and the messengers.
- People with atheistic views existed even in the Prophet's ﷺ time:
(45:24 – al-Jathiyah) – meaning: They (who do not believe in the Hereafter) say, "There is nothing but our life in this world; we die and we live, and nothing destroys us except time." They have no knowledge of it; they only guess.
Why is atheism wrong?
| Reason | Explanation |
|---|---|
| It goes against human nature | In every age people have followed a religion; there have never been societies without religion – living with belief in God is human nature |
| It also goes against reason | Atheists cannot answer the proofs of those who accept God |
Protecting the world from atheism, which threatens human society itself, is an urgent and necessary duty.
2. Kufr (الكفر) – disbelief
- Linguistically: covering, concealing.
- In Islamic usage: rejecting the beliefs of Islam and its practices that are definitely known.
Three ways kufr comes about
| Kind | Examples |
|---|---|
| 1) Through belief | Not believing in Allah, not believing in the prophets, not believing in Paradise and Hell, not believing that prayer is obligatory |
| 2) Through words | Insulting Allah, insulting the Prophet ﷺ, mocking religious duties |
| 3) Through actions | Tearing the Quran / throwing it in the rubbish to insult it, worshipping created things |
The danger of kufr
(3:91 – Al 'Imran) – meaning: Those who disbelieve and die as disbelievers – even if they offered an earth full of gold as ransom, it would not be accepted; they will have a painful punishment and no helpers.
(24:39 – an-Nur) – meaning: The deeds of the disbelievers are like a mirage in a desert; a thirsty man thinks it is water, but when he reaches it he finds nothing; instead he finds Allah, who settles his account.
Kufr blocks the reward of good deeds and leads to Hell forever.
3. Shirk (الشرك) – associating partners with Allah
- Linguistically: making partners, joining together.
- In Islamic usage: believing that anyone or any power shares in Allah's divinity, or doing any act that reflects such a belief.
The two kinds of shirk
| Ash-shirk al-akbar (الشرك الأكبر) – major shirk | Ash-shirk al-asghar (الشرك الأصغر) – minor shirk | |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | Doing acts of worship that are for Allah alone for something other than Allah | Next to major shirk among sins |
| Result | The doer's good deeds bring no benefit; it is the only great sin not forgiven without tawbah | It must not be denied that it is as bad as the major sins |
| Evidence / examples | 39:66 – if you associate partners your deeds will be wasted; worship Allah alone; 4:48 – He does not forgive shirk | Swearing by other than Allah, using charms (sorcery), consulting fortune-tellers |
Keeping away from shirk, which dishonours Allah, is the quality of those travelling the road to Paradise.
4. Riddah (الردة) – apostasy
- Linguistically: returning to a former state, turning back, going backwards.
- In Islamic usage: a Muslim leaving Islam by saying words or doing an act that makes him a kafir.
- In short: a Muslim changing his religion = riddah.
- One who has left Islam = murtadd (مرتد).
Rulings about a murtadd
- The Muslim community cuts off its ties with him.
- His wife is separated from him.
- His property is used to pay his debts and to support his family.
- His property is not given to his heirs.
- He has no right to inherit from his relatives.
- If he dies without tawbah, the (funeral) prayer is not performed for him.
- He is not buried in a Muslim cemetery.
- The Muslim community regards him as a traitor to the religion.
5. Conclusion
- Pure, unmixed iman is necessary for success in both worlds.
- Even doubts about Allah arising in the mind can harm iman.
- The goal of life is to live with sincere (ikhlas) iman and win Allah's pleasure.
Quick revision
| Item | Literal meaning / meaning | Key evidence |
|---|---|---|
| Ilhad | Atheism; its aim is to abolish religions | 45:24 |
| Kufr | Covering, concealing; through belief / words / actions | 3:91, 24:39 |
| Shirk | Making partners; akbar (major), asghar (minor) | 39:66, 4:48 |
| Riddah | Returning to a former state; apostasy; murtadd | — |
- Examples of minor shirk: swearing by other than Allah, charms (sorcery), fortune-telling.
- Major shirk = the only sin not forgiven without tawbah.