A Statement on the Manifestations of Shirk (associating partners with Allah) and Riddah (apostasy) in This Age
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Question:
This questioner says: Ibrahim (peace be upon him) left a will for his sons to avoid shirk (associating partners with Allah). What are the manifestations of shirk in our present time, both apparent and hidden, such as fearing the created more than the Creator, which you advise Muslims to be cautious of? How I wish you would mention some of the manifestations of shirk or riddah (apostasy) in this age so that we may avoid them?
Answer:
The apparent manifestations of riddah (apostasy) and shirk (associating partners with Allah) in these places are numerous. Among them is the worship of graves and shrines, making vows to them, and calling for aid from the dead. This is clear, apparent shirk (associating partners with Allah); it is major shirk. There is no doubt that this is kufr (disbelief), misguidance, and riddah (apostasy) from Islam. Also included are those who adopt atheistic ideologies, either hidden ones or ideologies of Arab nationalism, Ba'athism, modernism, or whatever else has been invented. These are atheistic ideologies that think about religions in a way that mocks the religion, the Messenger, and the Muslims. This is clear riddah (apostasy) with no ambiguity; no one argues about it. One who mocks the Messenger, or mocks any of the prophets, or mocks the religion, or ridicules the religion, is without doubt an apostate. This is common today, and the false, deviant ideologies are many; they are not hidden from anyone.
Also included is ruling by other than what Allah has revealed, if one believes that it is better than ruling by what Allah has revealed, and that it is more beneficial for the people and for this time. This is without doubt kufr (disbelief). Or if he believes that he has a choice, that he may rule by the law or rule by the Shari'ah, that he is free to choose, this is also without doubt kufr (disbelief). These are clear manifestations of kufr (disbelief) among the people, except for whom Allah the Mighty and Majestic has shown mercy.
This questioner says: Ibrahim (peace be upon him) left a will for his sons to avoid shirk (associating partners with Allah). What are the manifestations of shirk in our present time, both apparent and hidden, such as fearing the created more than the Creator, which you advise Muslims to be cautious of? How I wish you would mention some of the manifestations of shirk or riddah (apostasy) in this age so that we may avoid them?
Answer:
The apparent manifestations of riddah (apostasy) and shirk (associating partners with Allah) in these places are numerous. Among them is the worship of graves and shrines, making vows to them, and calling for aid from the dead. This is clear, apparent shirk (associating partners with Allah); it is major shirk. There is no doubt that this is kufr (disbelief), misguidance, and riddah (apostasy) from Islam. Also included are those who adopt atheistic ideologies, either hidden ones or ideologies of Arab nationalism, Ba'athism, modernism, or whatever else has been invented. These are atheistic ideologies that think about religions in a way that mocks the religion, the Messenger, and the Muslims. This is clear riddah (apostasy) with no ambiguity; no one argues about it. One who mocks the Messenger, or mocks any of the prophets, or mocks the religion, or ridicules the religion, is without doubt an apostate. This is common today, and the false, deviant ideologies are many; they are not hidden from anyone.
Also included is ruling by other than what Allah has revealed, if one believes that it is better than ruling by what Allah has revealed, and that it is more beneficial for the people and for this time. This is without doubt kufr (disbelief). Or if he believes that he has a choice, that he may rule by the law or rule by the Shari'ah, that he is free to choose, this is also without doubt kufr (disbelief). These are clear manifestations of kufr (disbelief) among the people, except for whom Allah the Mighty and Majestic has shown mercy.
Source
شرح فضل الإسلام [ صالح الفوزان ]، باب قول الله - تعالى - : { فأقم وجهك للدين حنيفا } — islamhouse.com (1:09:32)
The Arabic text is a machine transcription of the audio recording.