“I learned about evil—not for evil’s sake, but to guard against it … Whoever among people does not know evil will fall into it.”

Since this is the case, and the matter is of such great importance, every Muslim must know the things that nullify the declaration of monotheism, “There is no deity worthy of worship except Allah,” so that he may remain on his guard against them. As previously stated, this declaration is nullified by many things. The most dangerous and frequently occurring of these, however, are ten nullifiers mentioned by more than one scholar—may Allah have mercy on them—1. These nullifiers will now be briefly presented so that Muslims may beware of them and warn other Muslims against them, in the hope of remaining safe and unharmed by them.

The first is associating partners with Allah in worship. Allah Most High says: “Indeed, Allah does not forgive associating partners with Him, but He forgives anything less than that for whomever He wills.” 2 He also says: “Whoever associates partners with Allah, Allah has surely forbidden Paradise to him, and his refuge is the Fire. The wrongdoers will have no helpers.” 3 This includes supplicating the dead, seeking their aid, making vows to them, offering sacrifices to them, and similar acts.

The second is that whoever places intermediaries between himself and Allah, supplicating them, asking them for intercession, and relying upon them, has fallen into disbelief by consensus. Allah Most High says: “They worship besides Allah that which can neither harm nor benefit them, and they say, ‘These are our intercessors with Allah.’ Say, ‘Are you informing Allah of something He does not know in the heavens or on earth?’ Glory be to Him, and Exalted is He above what they associate with Him.” 4.