What is the difference between the worship of the rabbis and monks and the worship of idols?
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The student: ...
The Shaykh : What do you say about this question? Yes, there is no doubt that the worship of the rabbis and monks, in the sense explained by the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him), is not like the worship of idols, because the worship of idols is worship of seeking nearness and submission, while the worship of the rabbis and monks is worship of following. There is no doubt that it is worship, as stated in the hadith:[At-Tawbah 9:31] If the worship of the rabbis and monks is like the worship of the Messiah, 'Isa ibn Maryam, then it follows from this that they worship them with the worship of seeking nearness. But the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) said to 'Adi ibn Hatim: He said: نعم قال: فتلك عبادتهم فهذه عبادة إتباع، وغالب عبادة المشركين عبادة تقرب وتعظيم.
He said: Yes. He said: That is their worship. This is worship of following, and most of the worship of the polytheists is worship of seeking nearness and exalting.
The Shaykh : What do you say about this question? Yes, there is no doubt that the worship of the rabbis and monks, in the sense explained by the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him), is not like the worship of idols, because the worship of idols is worship of seeking nearness and submission, while the worship of the rabbis and monks is worship of following. There is no doubt that it is worship, as stated in the hadith:
They have taken their scholars and monks as lords besides Allah, and [also] the Messiah, the son of Mary. And they were not commanded except to worship one God
اتخذوا أحبارهم ورهبانهم أربابا من دون الله والمسيح ابن مريم وما أمروا إلا ليعبدوا إلها واحداDo they not make lawful what Allah has forbidden, and you make it lawful, and make forbidden what Allah has made lawful, and you make it forbidden?
أليس يحلون ما حرم الله فتحلونه ويحرمون ما أحل الله فتحرمونهHe said: Yes. He said: That is their worship. This is worship of following, and most of the worship of the polytheists is worship of seeking nearness and exalting.