What is the ruling on minor shirk, and is it subject to Allah's will?
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The questioner : The questioner says: May the honor of the Shaykh be respected, peace be upon you and Allah's mercy and blessings. After that: What is the ruling on minor shirk, and is it subject to Allah's will... major shirk? May Allah reward you with good?
The Shaykh : And peace be upon you, and the mercy of Allah and His blessings.
Minor shirk is greater than the major sins. Ibn Mas'ud (may Allah be pleased with him) said: "I would rather swear a false oath by Allah than swear a true oath by other than Him" This indicates that the evil of shirk is greater than the evil of a major sin, and it is so. As for whether it is subject to Allah's will or not? It is a matter of consideration. Some people say that it is not subject to Allah's will, and that recompense for it is necessary, but it does not cause its perpetrator to remain in the Fire forever. This is because Allah said[An-Nisa 4:48], and "associating partners" here is interpreted as a verbal noun, meaning: Allah does not forgive shirk by which one associates partners with Him. When it is converted to a verbal noun, it becomes an indefinite noun in the context of what? We have no request for knowledge! An indefinite noun in the context of? "Does not forgive," in the context of negation, so it implies generality.
Some scholars say that it is subject to Allah's will, and that what is not forgiven is major shirk. According to this view, one who commits minor shirk is in danger.
The Shaykh : And peace be upon you, and the mercy of Allah and His blessings.
Minor shirk is greater than the major sins. Ibn Mas'ud (may Allah be pleased with him) said: "I would rather swear a false oath by Allah than swear a true oath by other than Him" This indicates that the evil of shirk is greater than the evil of a major sin, and it is so. As for whether it is subject to Allah's will or not? It is a matter of consideration. Some people say that it is not subject to Allah's will, and that recompense for it is necessary, but it does not cause its perpetrator to remain in the Fire forever. This is because Allah said
Indeed, Allah does not forgive association with Him
إن الله لا يغفر أن يشرك بهSome scholars say that it is subject to Allah's will, and that what is not forgiven is major shirk. According to this view, one who commits minor shirk is in danger.