Notis: Det följande är en reproduktion av huvud-artiklen i Oktober-upplagan 2001 av Submitters Perspective, den månatliga bulletinen av United Submitters International.

I had a very interesting experience that I would like to share since we are all subjected to these kinds of circumstances. A few days back a couple of my friends came to see me and talk to me about not attending the Friday prayer at the masjid (mosque) anymore. When I told them that I stopped going there since this masjid, like many others, advocate idol worshipping, they were stunned!! They tried to argue with me that fact and getting on my case for calling these, so-called-Muslims, idol-worshippers. Here, I’m representing my argument.

First I started with reciting the following verses:

[72:18] The places of worship belong to GOD; do not call on anyone else beside GOD.

[9:107] There are those who abuse the masjid by practicing idol worship, dividing the believers, and providing comfort to those who oppose GOD and His messenger. They solemnly swear: “Our intentions are honorable!” GOD bears witness that they are liars.

[9:108] You shall never pray in such a masjid. A masjid that is established on the basis of righteousness from the first day is more worthy of your praying therein. In it, there are people who love to be purified. GOD loves those who purify themselves.

Then I explained a very important issue that’s very misunderstood by the majority of people: The difference between a KAFER (non-believer) and a MUSHRIK (idol-worshiper).

The common idea of an idol-worshiper is a person who prays to a statue or some form of idol (such as fire, sun, moon, stars, animals...etc) but when reviewing this matter in the light of the Quran, we’ll simply find that this isn’t the complete truth. Let’s check some verses in which God is talking or describing idol-worshipers.

There is one verse in which God is talking to the believers, the ones who followed prophet Muhammad and chose Islam as their true religion.

[6:121] Do not eat from that upon which the name of GOD has not been mentioned, for it is an abomination. The devils inspire their allies to argue with you; if you obey them, you will be idol worshipers.

My question here is WHY?? Why would people who truly believe in God alone, when committing what’s considered a minor sin (not mentioning Allah’s name when they eat) are considered idol-worshipers?? It’s because they accepted the arguments of devils’ allies and disregarded God’s revelations by accepting other source of LAW beside Him. This is clearly stated in the following verses:

[7:3] You shall all follow what is revealed to you from your Lord; do not follow any idols besides Him. Rarely do you take heed.

[42:21] They follow idols who decree for them religious laws never authorized by GOD. If it were not for the predetermined decision, they would have been judged immediately. Indeed, the transgressors have incurred a painful retribution.

[6:114] Shall I seek other than GOD as a source of law, when He has revealed to you this book fully detailed? Those who received the scripture recognize that it has been revealed from your Lord, truthfully. You shall not harbor any doubt.

Now notice that whenever the word IDOL is mentioned, it’s always accompanied by BESIDE. Meaning that idol worshipers do believe in God (unlike the non-believers) but they always defy God’s revelations by:

1. Glorifying or praising someone or something beside God in any act for worship (prayers [doa’a], Salaat...etc.)

[43:86] None of those whom they idolize beside Him possess any power to intercede, unless their intercession coincides with the truth, and they fully know.

[6:82] Those who believe, and do not pollute their belief with idol worship, have deserved the perfect security, and they are truly guided.

[30:31] You shall submit to Him, reverence Him, observe the Contact Prayers (Salat), and—whatever you do—do not ever fall into idol worship.

2. Following others beside God as source of religious laws (by making things lawful or unlawful)

[43:21] Have we given them a book before this, and they are upholding it?

[43:22] The fact is that: they said, “We found our parents carrying on certain practices, and we are following in their footsteps.”

[4:60] Have you noted those who claim that they believe in what was revealed to you, and in what was revealed before you, then uphold the unjust laws of their idols? They were commanded to reject such laws. Indeed, it is the devil’s wish to lead them far astray.

[39:38] If you ask them, “Who created the heavens and the earth?” they will say, “GOD.” Say, “Why then do you set up idols beside GOD? If GOD willed any adversity for me, can they relieve such an adversity? And if He willed a blessing for me, can they prevent such a blessing?” Say, “GOD is sufficient for me.” In Him the trusters shall trust.

[3:79] Never would a human being whom GOD blessed with the scripture and prophethood say to the people, “Idolize me beside GOD.” Instead, (he would say), “Devote yourselves absolutely to your Lord alone,” according to the scripture you preach and the teachings you learn.

3. Expecting these idols to get them closer to God or intercede on their behalf on the Day of Judgment when these idols are unaware of being worshipped (like Jesus, Mary and Muhammad). Note they’re all humans, righteous people and not just statues and they, themselves, are seeking God’s mercy and forgiveness!!!

[46:5] Who is farther astray than those who idolize beside GOD idols that can never respond to them until the Day of Resurrection, and are totally unaware of their worship?

[46:6] And when the people are summoned (on the Day of Judgment), their idols will become their enemies, and will denounce their idolatry.

[10:18] They worship beside GOD idols that possess no power to harm them or benefit them, and they say, “These are our intercessors at GOD!” Say, “Are you informing GOD of something He does not know in the heavens or the earth?” Be He glorified. He is the Most High; far above needing partners.

[17:57] Even the idols that they implore are seeking the ways and means towards their Lord. They pray for His mercy, and fear His retribution. Surely, the retribution of your Lord is dreadful.

[39:3] Absolutely, the religion shall be devoted to GOD alone. Those who set up idols beside Him say, “We idolize them only to bring us closer to GOD; for they are in a better position!” GOD will judge them regarding their disputes. GOD does not guide such liars, disbelievers.

[2:166] Those who were followed will disown those who followed them. They will see the retribution, and all ties among them will be severed.

4. Doing these things while being unaware of their gross sin by simply not studying the Quran carefully (as God commanded us) or following their ancestors ways.

[7:173] Nor can you say, “It was our parents who practiced idolatry, and we simply followed in their footsteps. Will You punish us because of what others have innovated?”

[12:106] The majority of those who believe in GOD do not do so without committing idol worship.

[6:22] On the day when we summon them all, we will ask the idol worshipers, “Where are the idols you set up?”

[6:23] Their disastrous response will be, “By GOD our Lord, we never were idol worshipers.”

[6:24] Note how they lied to themselves, and how the idols they had invented have abandoned them.

[2:165] Yet, some people set up idols to rival GOD, and love them as if they are GOD. Those who believe love GOD the most. If only the transgressors could see themselves when they see the retribution! They will realize then that all power belongs to GOD alone, and that GOD’s retribution is awesome.

In the end, I concluded my argument with a few other verses as a reminder and a manifest warning so they may take heed.

[4:82] Why do they not study the Quran carefully? If it were from other than GOD, they would have found in it numerous contradictions.

[6:106] Follow what is revealed to you from your Lord, there is no god except He, and disregard the idol worshipers.

[18:54] We have cited in this Quran every kind of example, but the human being is the most argumentative creature.

[32:22] Who is more evil than one who is reminded of these revelations of his Lord, then insists upon disregarding them? We will certainly punish the guilty.

[47:24] Why do they not study the Quran carefully? Do they have locks on their minds?

[47:25] Surely, those who slide back, after the guidance has been manifested to them, the devil has enticed them and led them on.

Subhaan Allah (Glory be to God), no wonder prophet Muhammad will complain to God on the Day of Judgment that his people have deserted this Quran.

May Allah (God) grant us:

The Knowledge to recognize the truth,

The Wisdom to adopt it as our path

The Patience to steadfastly adhere to it, and

The Courage to defend it.

Yasser H.