Tài liệu The Worst Slander - Idolatry pdf

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Hornbeams of some 30 to 40 different species occur across much of the North Temperate
regions, with the greatest number of species in East Asia, particularly China. A few species occur in
Europe and North America. Fossil findings reveal that hornbeams alive today and those that lived tens
of millions of years ago were no different. Hornbeams challenge Darwinist claims and proclaim
Creation as an obvious fact.
One piece of evidence invalidating the scenario of plants' evolution is the ginkgo leaf pictured,
which is approximately 50 million years old. This fossil shows that ginkgos have not originated from
another plant or transformed into another species. This places evolutionists in a deadlock.
www.evolutiondeceit.com
The structure of cones, organs on conifers that contain the plant's ovaries, has remained the
same for millions of years, as with the structures of all other living species. This cone, 65 to 23 million
years old, and identical ones of our day are one of the important examples revealing that throughout
these long ages, evolution has never occurred.
www.theprophetmuhammad.org
Horseshoe crabs belong to a subphylum of the arachnids called Chelicerata, and are more
closely related to spiders and scorpions. The 150-million-year-old fossil of a horseshoe crab shown here
demonstrates once again that Creation is a fact and that the process of evolution never occurred.
www.living-fossils.com
The sturgeons, of which only two families remain in existence, have always been sturgeons.
They have neither developed from, nor turned into any other species. Fossil finds corroborate the fact
that like all other creatures, sturgeons have never undergone any process of evolution.
www.riseofislam.com
Another scientific discovery showing that there was no process of evolution, as the Darwinists
claim, is the fossilized shrimp illustrated here. Since shrimp first came into existence, they have always
displayed all the same organs and characteristics as they have today and have undergone no changes in
all that time. This shrimp fossil shows plainly that evolution is an imaginary scenario.
www.darwinism-watch.com
The fossil record is sufficiently rich to account for the origin of life, and it reveals a concrete
picture: Different species all emerged independently of one another, suddenly, and with all their
different structures. No imaginary evolutionary "intermediate forms" existed among them. This is one
of the proofs that Almighty Allah (swt) created all living creatures.
www.fossil-museum.com
Assassin bugs are predatory insects of the Reduviidea family. Some of the species are able to
transmit to humans a fatal malady known as Chagas’ disease. It is this very insect that poisoned
Darwin and caused him to spend the rest of his life in pain. This species uses its antenna to inject its
poison and liquefies its victim's tissues.
The stick insects are known for their ponderously slow movements and superb camouflage.
With their long bodies, antennae and colors, they do indeed resemble slender twigs. Animals that use
various forms of camouflage enjoy special protection with their bodily structures, shapes, colors and
patterns, all created to match the environments they inhabit.
Darwin knew that his theory could be verified only by the fossil record, for which reason he
pinned great hopes on paleontological research. Yet no intermediate-form fossil has been found over
the 150 or so years since Darwin’s day. So his claims have never been confirmed. Fossils have buried
Darwin’s theory of evolution, whose invalidity is now a proven fact. One such fossil is this 95-million-
year-old fossil squid, identical to living present-day specimens.
www.evolutiondocumentary.com
The 37- to 23-million-year-old fossil turtle seen here is no different from turtles alive now, in all
its perfect detail. Faced with these proofs, there's one important fact that evolutionists ought to accept.
David B. Kitts, an evolutionist in the department of Geology and Geophysics at Oklahoma University,
says that "Evolution requires intermediate forms between species and paleontology does not provide
them." (David B. Kitts, "Paleontology and Evolutionary Theory," Evolution, Vol. 28, September 1974,
p. 467)
www.thestoneage.org
INTRODUCTION
Most people know that idolatry is a grave sin, but never think that it could have anything to do with
them. They imagine that idolaters, defined as those who ascribe equals to Allah (God), are merely people
who worship totems carved out of stone or wood, like the primitive pre-Islamic Arab pagans who worshipped
idols in the Ka`bah (The Sacred House). However, idolatry is far subtler and is actually widespread in many
societies today.
In reality, idolatry comprises everything that people set up as a goal that does not involve seeking
Allah's approval, in who or which they place their hopes or desire for approval, or every entity regarded as
possessing true power and control other than Allah. Given the subtlety of this definition, idolatry needs to be
considered as something that may be very close at hand.
Ascribing equals to Allah is a most dangerous sin, one that cannot be forgiven and therefore will lead
people to Hell. Thus, those who fear and respect Allah and hope for His Paradise must be on their guard
against this threat. But people cannot do this if they do not know what idolatry is and what things fall under
its scope.
This book has been written to illustrate how idolatry, as set out in the Qur'an, exists in contemporary
society. We hope that it will achieve this aim, help people renounce all of their idols, and turn sincerely to
and serve only Almighty Allah, the true Creator of all things.
In addition, idolatry heads the list of sins to be avoided, for those who ascribe equals to Allah are
guilty of committing a grave sin against Him. In the Qur'an, Allah reveals that He will not forgive such a
serious slander, a sin, and an act out of respect. That is why Allah tells that He will forgive anything but
ascribing equals to Him and that this act is a grave perversion:
Allah does not forgive anything being associated with Him, but He forgives whomever He wills
for anything other than that. Anyone who associates something with Allah has gone very far astray.
(Surat al-Nisa': 116)
This is where the importance of avoiding idolatry lies. As Allah will never forgive such a major sin,
He calls upon Muslims to avoid it at all costs by refusing to ascribe equals to Him. For example, Allah
reveals in the Qur'an about Hazrat Luqman (peace be upon him) advise to his son:
"O my son, do not associate anything with Allah. Associating others with Him is a terrible
wrong" (Surah Luqman: 13).
Another reason to avoid this mistake is that it causes all of a person's efforts to become vain and
inflicts a terrible disappointment upon those who have gone astray. Allah reveals in the Qur'an:
It has been revealed to you and those before you: "If you associate others with Allah, your
actions will come to nothing and you will be among the losers." (Surat al-Zumar: 65)
Clearly, ascribing equals to Allah is a grievous sin that can drag a person down to Hell. Therefore,
anyone who fears and respects Allah and hopes for His Paradise must guard against it.
This book has been written in the hope that having a clear understanding of the Qur'anic concept of
idolatry will help the readers realize that much of what some people consider to be perfectly normal and
regular behavior is, in fact, nothing more than idolatry. May it achieve this aim and may it be a means
whereby this people will renounce their mistaken beliefs and worldview and serve only Almighty Allah, the
Creator of all things.
Readers must also be informed that this danger may not be something that existed only a long time
ago or in primitive societies. It is probably far closer to them than they think it is, and thus should be of great
concern to them. Those who feel no need to reflect on this matter will fail to benefit from what is said herein.
In other words, if they are idolaters they will remain so and face Allah after death in a state of great sin. No
Muslim wants to meet the Lord in such a state.
Therefore, read this book in all sincerity, as if it had been written just for you. Reflect on it honestly
and consider the examples and the verses in the Qur'an carefully, and then determine if your beliefs and
actions are based on idolatry in any way. Since all people are helpless and prone to error, the important thing
is to recognize one's errors and abandon them immediately.
WHAT IS IDOLATRY?
The Arabic word shirk implies partnership. The term is translated into English as ascribing partners
or equals to Allah. The Qur'an uses shirk in the following sense: regarding, preferring, or attaching
importance or worth to anything, anyone, or any concept in such a way that it is considered to be equal to or
above Allah (Surely Allah is beyond that), and then acting according to that distorted perspective. This
attitude means that one regards members of Allah's Creation as Divine, although only He can be Divine.
The truth that is announced in the Qur'an is that there is no deity other than Allah. This truth is set out
in the profession of faith, la ilaha illa Allah, and is reiterated throughout the Qur'an. However, Muslims need
to understand this point fully and reflect upon it deeply. Given that all power and might belongs to Allah and
that He is the Only God, this cannot be interpreted in a superficial manner. When we look at the Qur'an, we
see that any other belief, attitude, or behavior that is not based upon this truth is actually idolatry. Thus, we
may translate shirk in the general sense as the false conception and idea that any person, thing, or supposed
deity has any actual power and might other than Allah (Surely Allah is beyond that).
According to the Qur'an, a deity is an entity that possesses the titles and attributes that Allah has
revealed about Himself. The only true deity, therefore, is Allah. No other member of Creation has His titles,
and to claim otherwise means taking entities other than Allah as one's deity or ascribing equals to Allah.
A fine distinction needs to be drawn here. For example, one of Allah's titles, al-Ghani (the Wealthy),
can also refer to one's material situation. What leads to idolatry, however, is imagining that this wealth was
acquired through personal effort. If this were the case, the fact that all wealth actually belongs to Allah would
be forgotten. For whatever reason, Allah willed to give that person all that he or she owns, thereby
manifesting this particular title al-Ghani. However, many people often forget or ignore the fact that Allah can
remove whatever He wills from whoever He wills in a single moment. The failure to consider anyone apart
from Allah as poor and helpless renders people unable to understand that He can manifest Himself by
whatever titles and in whatever people He wills. As a result, one may think that the individual concerned is
the true owner of such possessions as wealth, riches, property, and titles. But since such things were bestowed
by Allah, instead of being acquired by individual effort, this misunderstanding may cause people to forget
Allah and ascribe a false divine title to another human being (Surely Allah is beyond that). If they do this,
they are guilty of idolatry.
The correct thing to do is to realize that Allah is the sole Possessor and Lord of all riches and wealth,
regardless of their location and amount, and that He can withdraw His wealth from anyone whenever He
wills. When evaluating materially rich people, the important thing is not their economic status but that they
are thought of as Allah's servant. For example, if one's family members regard the father as the true owner of
his wealth and thus place their hopes solely in him, thereby forgetting the wealth's true owner, they are
committing a serious sin. Similarly, those who work alongside this person must realize that only Allah feeds,
clothes, and shelters them. It would be highly irrational for them to regard their employer as the one who
provides for them, because:
Instead of [worshipping] Allah, you worship only idols and invent falsehood. Those whom you
worship besides Allah have no power to provide for you, so seek your provision from Allah, worship
Him, and give thanks to Him. It is to Him that you will be returned. (Surat al-'Ankabut: 17)
In addition, Allah states in the Qur'an that there is no force and power other than Him (Surat al-Kahf:
39). Whatever resembles force and power in His created entities is actually a little reflection of His infinite
might. Allah can remove these apparent attributes at any moment. Overestimating anyone because of these
attributes bestowed on them by Allah in this world, temporarily and as a test, and to admire them in this
respect as if that power was actually inherent in them, is a form of ascribing divine status to them (Surely
Allah is beyond that). Allah reveals in the Qur'an:
They do not appreciate Allah with His true measure. Allah is All-Strong, Almighty. (Surat al-
Hajj: 74)
This same logic applies to all of Allah's other titles that He manifests or causes to be reflected by
members of His Creations. In considering these entities, one must be aware that these titles belong only to
Allah and that what we see in other people are merely manifestations of them.
The starting point of idolatry
The false approach of attributing an identity to Allah's Creations by regarding them as beings in their
own right who are independent of Allah leads to idolatry. Allah's wealth, beauty, might, and glory do exist,
but those upon whom He bestows them do not actually possess them and are not the originators of them; nor
do they or their possessions exist in any way that is independent of His existence. People who do not
understand this often admire or fear those who apparently possess such attributes, believing that they are
somehow independent of Allah.
This mistaken view is the starting point of idolatry. As we will see in later chapters, such an
attribution underlies all forms of shirk and idolatrous attitudes. True believers must build their faith on
monotheism (the Oneness of Allah) and avoid ascribing any equals to Him. Therefore, all people must
constantly remember that they are indebted to Allah for whatever they possess and have been brought into
being only through Allah's will. He can keep them alive or not, as He wills, and bestows whatever attributes
He wills upon any member of His Creation.
Power, opportunity, intelligence, beauty, fame, and rank are all attributes created by Him. Since He
created them, He can easily remove them whenever He wills to do so. Allah manifests Himself in different
ways in all places and all people. It is these manifestations that one sees wherever he or she looks. Those who
believe in Allah must place the realization that nothing exists independent of Allah firmly in their heart. Only
when they believe, think, and behave in accordance with this truth can they stop ascribing equals to Allah.
The Idolaters' Invalid Justifications
We can learn the most accurate meanings of idolatry, monotheism, service, and worship from the
Qur'an and the hadiths of the Prophet Muhammad (May Allah bless him and grant him peace). Only by
reading and understanding the Qur'an and the hadiths and seeking to implement them in our lives can we
acquire an attitude, understanding, belief, and behavior that takes Allah as our Lord in all matters and thus
avoid the error of idolatry. Therefore, someone who has faith and knows that the Qur'an is the truth must not
adopt any other criteria when it comes to matters of faith, thought, moral understanding, lifestyle, and other
value judgments. In addition, trying to justify one's preference for alternatives to Allah's commands and thus
abandoning His stipulations leads to idolatry.
No such justification is valid. For example, preferring someone's approval and seeking to please him
or her instead of Allah means adopting a false deity. Fearing and respecting someone as much as or more
than Allah, and thus abandoning His commands or behaving in a way does not please Him, means exactly the
same thing. Loving another person as much as Allah means one is in shirk and sees that person as a false
deity other than Almighty Allah If someone who is aware of the requirement to live by faith points to his or
her surroundings or environment as a justification for making concessions on religion so as not to attract
criticism, this a clear sign of idolatry – whose approval should be more important? A person's family or close
circle may not understand Islam, in which case any departure from its requirements or making concessions is
another sign of that same danger. No Muslim can make any concessions regarding Allah's approval, for only
His approval matters. Of course nobody wants to lessen his or her love and respect for the family. But if
family members call upon him or her to ascribe equals to Allah, He reveals the correct reaction:
We have instructed man to honor his parents. But if they endeavor to make you associate with
Me something about which you have no knowledge, do not obey them. It is to Me that you will return,
and I will inform you about the things you did. (Surat al-'Ankabut: 8)
The Prophet (May Allah bless him and grant him peace) is the best example of how to deal with non-
Muslims. While he was preaching, many people realized that the Qur'an was Allah's word and had to be
heeded. However, very few of them actually implemented the requirements of religious morality and
followed him. For instance, the verses regarding Islamic clothing for women were revealed in the period after
the Hijra:
Safiyyah bint Shaybah said: "When we were with A'isha (may Allah be pleased with her), we
mentioned the women of Quraysh and their virtues. A'isha said, 'The women of Quraysh are good, but by
Allah (swt) I have never seen any better or more strict in their adherence to the Book of Allah (swt) than the
women of the Ansar. When Surat al-Nur was revealed ( that they should draw their veils over their
bosoms ) their menfolk went to them and recited to them the words that Allah (swt) had revealed. Each man
recited it to his wife, his daughter, his sister and other family relatives. Every woman among them got up,
took her decorated wrapper, and wrapped herself up in it out of faith and belief in what Allah (swt) had
revealed. …" (Tafsir Ibn Kathir, Surat an-Nur, "The Rulings of Hijab")
The following is also reported regarding the excellent behavior of Muslim women when the relevant
verses were revealed:
A'isha (may Allah be pleased with her) said: "When Allah (swt) revealed the verse: 'and to draw
their veils all over their bosoms,' they tore their aprons and covered themselves with them." (Tafsir Ibn
Kathir, Surat an-Nur, "The Rulings of Hijab")
In the time of the Prophet (May Allah bless him and grant him peace), Muslim women immediately
obeyed Almighty Allah's commandment, and experienced a great enthusiasm and desire to do so. The
Muslims who came after them also fulfilled this commandment with the same enthusiasm and determination.
Some others, however, were fearful of the reaction of the community they lived in, were put off by
their threats, were concerned about losing their position and prestige. They thought that following the Prophet
(May Allah bless him and grant him peace) could affect their business and financial interests, and that they
would lose out by devoting time to Muslims and serving Islam. Some were afraid of that bad things might
happen if they converted, and others preferred their own ease and comfort to start off with the Prophet (May
Allah bless him and grant him peace) in the heat of the desert.
In other words, they tried to justify their concessions. Based on what the Qur'an says, however, they
were actually ascribing partners to Allah, for they were aware of the truth and yet preferred the approval other
people, society, money, rank, or earthly desires over that of Allah. Thus, they placed their hopes in entities
other than Him and tried to please them.
Many of these same people also made concessions because of their earthly passions or to satisfy their
desires though they knew it was right. In order to avoid facing any threats or making any sacrifices, lazing
about or to satisfy the desires of their lower-selves, some of them made concessions and preferred to abide by
their lower selves. In the Qur'an, Allah relates the state of those who feigned excuses on behalf of their lower
selves to evade being with our Prophet (May Allah bless him and grant him peace):
And a group of them said: "O People of Yathrib (Madinah), your position is untenable so turn
back!" Some of them asked the Prophet to excuse them, saying: "Our houses are exposed," when they
were not exposed; it was merely that they wanted to run away. (Surat al-Ahzab: 13)
As we have seen, such people made excuses so they would not have to accompany the Prophet (May
Allah bless him and grant him peace) and the believers, and would not have to fully implement Islamic moral
values in their lives. Maybe they told others how logical they were. However, these excuses were invalid in
Allah's Sight and so they only deceived themselves. By preferring their worldly desires - over Allah's
approval, they clearly ascribed equals to Allah.
People living at our Prophet's (May Allah bless him and grant him peace) time were tested under the
conditions of the time; people today are also being tested. Allah knows whether they are sincere when they
have to choose between their own desires and His approval, or whether they make excuses like the idolaters
in the past. Everyone will be appropriately rewarded or punished in the Hereafter for their actions in this
world while no excuses can be made in the Presence of Allah. In the Qur'an Allah reveals this truth:
On that Day the excuses of those who did wrong will not help them, nor will they be able to
appease Allah. (Surat al-Rum: 57)
Given the above, people today should not distance themselves from the Qur'an and invent excuses for
turning away from Islamic moral values.
First and foremost, someone who ascribes equals to Allah in an unwise manner has adopted as a law-
giver some thing or person other than Allah. This supposed "equal" to Allah could be the person himself or
herself, family members or ancestors, friends, employer, society, and even the founders and followers of
various philosophies and ideologies. Looked at from this viewpoint, people who follow a path other than the
revelations by Allah have chosen, either consciously or not, idolatry. Regardless of what they call themselves
(e.g., agnostic, atheist, Christian, Jew, or Muslim), they are idolaters. Even if they perform the five daily
prayers, fast, and perform many Islamic observances, they are still idolaters if even one of their thoughts or
value judgments conflicts with the Qur'an, if they abandon Allah's commands, or if they try to please others
instead of Him. Since they have adopted some other entity besides Allah as a law-maker.
Someone who ascribes partners to Allah does not have to think "this is also a deity" or say "I have
adopted this as a deity alongside Allah and worship this, too," (Surely Allah is beyond that), for idolatry is
first of all in the heart and then reflected in deed. As the Qur'an makes clear, people's preference for any other
entity than Allah causes them to become idolaters. However, such people generally do not deny Allah's
existence; in fact, many of them refuse to admit that they are idolaters at all. Having smothered their