Chapter Two
Polytheism: its Definition and Categories
Definition
Polytheism is to set up a partner with Allah, exalted be He, whether in His lordship or in His exclusive right to be worshipped. Most cases involve associating others with Him in worship: a person calls upon someone besides Allah or directs to another any act of devotion such as slaughtering, making vows, fearing, hoping, or loving.
Polytheism is the gravest of sins for several reasons:
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It equates a created being with the Creator in qualities that belong solely to the Divine. Whoever associates anyone with Allah has likened that being to Him, and that is the greatest injustice. The Almighty says: “Indeed, associating partners with Allah is a tremendous wrong” (Qur’an 31:13). Wrongdoing is to place something where it does not belong; thus, whoever worships other than Allah has placed worship where it does not belong and bestowed it upon one unworthy of it—this is the worst wrongdoing.
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Allah has stated that He will not forgive it for the one who fails to repent. He says: “Allah does not forgive that partners be associated with Him, but He forgives whatever is less than that for whomever He wills” (Qur’an 4:48).