Major Shirk (Associating Partners with Allah) That Is Apparent and Hidden Shirk
Machine translationRead the Arabic original
Question:
Honorable Shaykh, may Allah grant you success. Is major shirk (associating partners with Allah) sometimes hidden and not clear, or is it only the apparent, well-known acts such as circumambulating graves, supplicating to other than Allah, and slaughtering for other than Allah?
Answer:
Major shirk is both hidden and apparent, because it occurs through words and actions. The apparent acts include slaughtering, making vows, supplicating, and calling for aid. How can the hidden shirk be described? This is apparent, manifest in the limbs and actions. Rather, hidden shirk is what is in the heart, such as riya' (showing off) and seeking fame. This is the hidden shirk: the shirk in the hearts, whether it be riya' or seeking fame. As for what appears through speech or action, that is apparent shirk. For this reason, the scholar Ibn al-Qayyim (may Allah have mercy on him) said: "And shirk, so beware of it, for shirk is apparent. It is not a type that is acceptable of forgiveness. It is taking the Prophet as a means to the Most Merciful, whoever he may be from the people or from any human being, calling upon him or hoping for his help, then being disappointed in him just as one is disappointed in the One who is the Most Merciful. This is apparent shirk that is not hidden. Rather, hidden shirk is what is in the heart, such as riya' and seeking fame. It is a person who prays before people, and his outward appearance is that he is doing it for Allah, but in his heart he intends riya'. This is not known except by Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He). He gives charity with his wealth, and his outward appearance is that it is for Allah, but in his heart he intends riya' and seeking fame. This is the hidden shirk."
Honorable Shaykh, may Allah grant you success. Is major shirk (associating partners with Allah) sometimes hidden and not clear, or is it only the apparent, well-known acts such as circumambulating graves, supplicating to other than Allah, and slaughtering for other than Allah?
Answer:
Major shirk is both hidden and apparent, because it occurs through words and actions. The apparent acts include slaughtering, making vows, supplicating, and calling for aid. How can the hidden shirk be described? This is apparent, manifest in the limbs and actions. Rather, hidden shirk is what is in the heart, such as riya' (showing off) and seeking fame. This is the hidden shirk: the shirk in the hearts, whether it be riya' or seeking fame. As for what appears through speech or action, that is apparent shirk. For this reason, the scholar Ibn al-Qayyim (may Allah have mercy on him) said: "And shirk, so beware of it, for shirk is apparent. It is not a type that is acceptable of forgiveness. It is taking the Prophet as a means to the Most Merciful, whoever he may be from the people or from any human being, calling upon him or hoping for his help, then being disappointed in him just as one is disappointed in the One who is the Most Merciful. This is apparent shirk that is not hidden. Rather, hidden shirk is what is in the heart, such as riya' and seeking fame. It is a person who prays before people, and his outward appearance is that he is doing it for Allah, but in his heart he intends riya'. This is not known except by Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He). He gives charity with his wealth, and his outward appearance is that it is for Allah, but in his heart he intends riya' and seeking fame. This is the hidden shirk."
Source
شرح قرة عيون الموحدين في تحقيق دعوة الأنبياء والمرسلين، تتمة باب ما جاء في الذبح لغير الله — islamhouse.com (1:06:31)
The Arabic text is a machine transcription of the audio recording.