Alhassanain(p) Network for Heritage and Islamic Thought

A Study of Polytheism and Idolatry in the Qur’an

This book is corrected and edited by Al-Hassanain (p) Institue for Islamic Heritage and Thought

• Foreword
• Chapter 1: Polytheistic Beliefs with respect to Allah 
• Allah, the only Creator and Governor of the existing cosmos
• First verse
• Second verse
• Third verse
• Fourth verse
• Fifth verse
• Sixth verse
• Seventh verse
• Eighth verse
• Belief that Allah has a child
• Āyatullāh Sha‘rānī’s objection to Mullā Sadrā
• First verse
• Second verse
• Third verse
• Fourth verse
• Fifth verse
• Sixth verse
• Seventh verse
• Eighth verse
• Ninth verse
• Tenth verse
• Eleventh verse
• Twelfth verse
• Belief that Allah has a spouse
• Aversion to Monotheism
• First verse
• Second verse
• Third verse
• Fourth verse
• References
• Chapter 2: Polytheistic Beliefs with respect to Idols
• Equating idols with Allah
• The first proof: polytheists’ avowal of equality on the Day of Resurrection
• First verse
• Second verse
• Third verse
• The second proof: applying the word ‘god’ to idols
• First verse
• Second verse
• Third verse
• Fourth verse
• Fifth verse
• Sixth verse
• Seventh verse
• The third proof: simultaneity
• The fourth proof: incompatibility
• First verse
• Second verse
• Fifth proof: ‘besides Allah’
• Sixth proof: belittlement if idols
• First verse
• Second verse
• Seventh proof: polytheism is a great injustice
• Eighth proof: the terms ‘partner’ and ‘idolatry’
• The Wahhābīs’ error
• Ninth proof: lack of ownership
• Tenth proof: independence in affecting cosmic affairs
• Eleventh proof: invitation to monotheism
• Twelfth proof: the Noble Prophet’s invitation to monotheism
• Thirteenth proof: sincere devotion in religion
• Fourteenth proof: reference to primordial nature
• Fifteenth proof: detestation of monotheism
• Sixteenth proof: Sūrat al-Tawhīd
• Seventeenth proof: belief in the ownership of idols
• Eighteenth proof: using the word lord for idols
• Reasons for asserting that idolaters used to believe that idols were longitudinal with Allah and dependent on Him and critiquing those reasons
• Al-Mīzān’s statement regarding idolatrous beliefs
• The meaning of idols’ intercession
• Another explanation asserting that idols lacked independence
• Two assertions that idolaters used to believe that their idols were longitudinal with Allah 
• Critique of Al-Mīzān’s statement
• Summary of Al-Mīzān’s statements
• An independent summary
• Permitted and forbidden intercession
• Conclusion
• Āyatullāh Zanjānī’s assertion
• A study and critique of Āyatullāh Zanjānī’s assertion
• A thorough response and critique of certain parts of Āyatullāh Zanjānī’s assertion 
• First verse
• Second verse
• Third verse
• Fourth verse
• Idolatrous beliefs described in Al-Mīzān
• Polytheistic beliefs that idols intercede independently
• First verse
• Second verse
• Third verse
• A critique of another part of Āyatullāh Zanjānī’s assertion
• A defense of Āyatullāh Zanjānī’s assertion and a response to it
• References
• Chapter 3: Idolatrous Beliefs with respect to the Resurrection 
• Two theories about idolatrous beliefs with respect to the Resurrection
• Response from “Majma‘ al-Bayān”
• Idolaters and denial of the Resurrection
• First verse
• Second verse
• Third verse
• Fourth verse
• Fifth verse
• Sixth verse
• Seventh verse
• Eitghth verse
• Ninth verse
• Tenth verse
• Eleventh verse
• Twelfth verse
• References
• Chapter 4: Idolatrous Religious Rites
• Idolatrous rites
• a) Slaughtering animals in the name of idols
• b) Cutting and/or slitting the ears of animals
• c) Slaughtering animals with the intention of gaining proximity to idols
• d) Animals whose use was forbidden
• e) Apportioning yield from animal and crop husbandry between Allah and idols
• f) Killing children on account of fear of poverty
• g) Ignominy for having daughters and burying female newborns alive
• h) Worshipping and supplicating idols
• References
• Chapter 5: The Social Culture of Idolaters
• References
• Chapter 6: Idolatry is an Illogical Creed 
• First verse
• Second verse
• Third verse
• Fourth verse
• Fifth verse
• Sixth verse
• Seventh verse
• Eighth verse
• Ninth verse
• Tenth verse
• Eleventh verse
• Twelfth verse
• Thirteenth verse
• Fourteenth verse
• Fifteenth verse
• Is idolatry a reality or a delusion?
• First verse
• Second verse
• Third verse
• Fourth verse
• The monotheism of polytheists in crises
• First verse
• Second verse
• Third verse
• Fourth verse
• Awakening the primordial nature of polytheists
• First verse
• Second verse
• Third verse
• Fourth verse
• Demonstrating the weakness of idols
• First verse
• Second verse
• Third verse
• Fourth verse
• References
• Chapter 7: Causes of Idolatry
• 1. Not knowing Allah
• 2. Self-worship
• First verse
• Second verse
• 3. Blindly following their forefathers
• First verse
• Second verse
• References
• Chapter 8: Categories of Polytheists
• The first category: calf-worshippers
• The second category: worshippers of Jesus Christ and Mary
• Third category: worshippers of the jinn
• References
• Chapter 9: Types of Polytheism
• 1. Polytheism in Divinity
• 2. Polytheism in obedience
• Democracy and obedience to Allah
• The prohibition of polytheism in obedience
• 3. Manifest and hidden polytheism
• First verse
• Second verse
• Characteristics of manifest and hidden polytheism
• Characteristics of manifest polytheism
• Absence of the aforementioned characteristics in hidden polytheism
• Sanctimony and non-devotional deeds
• References
• Chapter 10: What is Tawhīd (Monotheism)? 
• The goal of creation is monotheism and refutation of polytheism
• Monotheism conforms to man’s primordial nature
• The goal of prophets (‘a) is monotheism
• References
• Chapter 11: The Etymological and Juristic Meaning of Worship [‘ibādah]
• The etymological meaning of worship [‘ibādah]
• The term worship [‘ibādah] in the Holy Qur’an
• First verse
• Second verse
• Third verse
• Fourth verse
• Fifth verse
• Concordance between the meaning of supplication [du‘ā] and worship [‘ibādah]
• First verse
• Second verse
• Third verse
• Fourth verse
• Sincere worship
• The meaning of prostration [sajdah]
• References