Shirk (Islam)

Shirk in Modern Islam

Shirk (Arabic: شرك) means believing that someone or something shares in the power, nature, or status of Allah. It is the greatest sin in Islam and the opposite of Tawhid (the belief that Allah is One).  

 Meaning and Classical View 
In early Islamic teaching, shirk meant worshipping idols or other beings besides Allah. The Qur’an says, “Allah does not forgive that partners be joined with Him, but He forgives what is less than that for whom He wills” (Qur’an 4:48).  

Classical scholars explain two kinds of shirk:
 Major shirk (shirk al-akbar) – open worship or prayer to someone other than Allah, such as idols or spirits.  
 Minor shirk (shirk al-asghar or khafi) – acts done for fame or show instead of sincerity to Allah, called riyā in Arabic.  

 Modern Context 
In modern life, shirk is not only idol worship. Some Muslim thinkers say it also includes new kinds of actions that reduce trust in Allah or give too much importance to worldly powers.  

Today, people may depend on science, wealth, or status so much that they forget Allah’s control. Others may admire celebrities, leaders, or symbols as if they have special power. Such acts can lead to modern shirk.  

 Common Examples 
Examples of shirk in modern times include:
 Idolizing wealth or technology – believing money, power, or systems control life instead of Allah.  
 Celebrity worship – giving extreme admiration or loyalty to famous people.  
 Showing off in religion – doing good deeds to look pious in public or on social media (hidden shirk).  
 Trusting saints or shrines too much – asking help from humans or graves as if they had divine power.  
 Believing in magic, charms, or talismans – thinking they bring luck or protection.  
 Shirk of love (shirk al-mahabbah) – loving or fearing someone more than Allah.
Hard Images, Statues and 3d and 2d pictures — Creating, printing or embossing ensouled creature images, statues and drawings. 

 Images, Statues, and 3D Forms 
A major issue in modern shirk is the creation or use of images and statues of living beings (humans or animals). The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:  
“The people who will be most severely punished on the Day of Judgment will be the image-makers.” (Sahih al-Bukhari 5950; Sahih Muslim 2107).  

Modern discussions include:
 2D photos and digital art – some say photos are allowed for records, others say drawing faces is like idol-making.  
 3D statues, sculptures, and Hard images – often seen as the modern form of idol creation.  
 Robots or Machine avatars – creating lifelike human figures for admiration may imitate divine creation.  

According to Islamic jurists, pictures for identity, education, or medical use are allowed, but any image that inspires reverence or pride can lead toward shirk.  

Scholars explain that shirk began when early humans made statues of good people and later started to worship them. He warns that in the modern age, shirk is again spreading through images, fame, and material pride.  
He teaches that believers should remove unnecessary pictures or statues, depend only on Allah, and purify their hearts from hidden shirk.  

 Avoiding Shirk 
The Qur’an and Sunnah teach Muslims to keep their worship and trust only for Allah. Always have belief in Allah, His Names, His attributes, and His commands. Repentance and awareness are needed to avoid modern forms of shirk. Islam teaches that all sins can be forgiven except dying without repenting from shirk.  

 See Also 
 Tawhid  
 Riya (show-off)  
 Idolatry  
 Islamic views on images

 References