Most High:

“Among people are those who take rivals besides Allah, loving them as they love Allah. But those who believe are stronger in their love for Allah.”

This has been discussed at length elsewhere, where it has been explained that this constitutes major polytheism, which Allah Most High does not forgive. In the two Sahīh collections, Ibn Masʿūd reported:

“I asked, ‘O Messenger of Allah, which sin is greatest?’ He replied, ‘To set up a rival to Allah when it is He who created you.’ I asked, ‘Then which?’ He replied, ‘To kill your child for fear that he will share your food.’ I asked, ‘Then which?’ He replied, ‘To commit adultery with your neighbour’s wife.’”

Allah Most High revealed confirmation of this:

“And those who do not invoke another god besides Allah, nor kill a soul whom Allah has forbidden to be killed except by right, nor commit adultery”—to the end of the verse.

Whoever sets up a rival to Allah, loving it as he loves Allah, is among those who invoke another god besides Allah. This constitutes major polytheism. The point here is that when something is divided and shared, the portion each receives is diminished; when all of it belongs to one, it is more complete. This is why the love for Allah of believers who affirm His oneness and devote themselves sincerely to Him is more perfect.

Likewise, refraining from the other major sins and indecencies they have been forbidden brings the positive realities of their worship, obedience, knowledge and love to perfection. This contributes to their purification and growth, just as removing weeds from a crop makes it flourish more fully and brings its positive attributes of perfection to greater fulfilment. Allah Most High says:

“Woe to the polytheists,”

“who do not give zakah.”

The foundation of zakah is affirming Allah’s oneness