Idolatry and Anger
Islam, as a Deen (a
way of life and a revealed religion), offers a path – a series of wise
instructions and divine commands – so that a believer may build their life upon
justice, compassion and uprightness. Among the core teachings of Islam are
clear prohibitions, designed to preserve the moral and social balance of human
society. These prohibitions are not merely rules; they are spiritual guidance
meant to protect the soul of mankind from corruption and to promote a
harmonious society. I will now present some major prohibitions in the light of
the Quran and Hadiths:
1. Polytheism and
Idolatry
We must keep in mind that the gravest sin in the sight of Allah is Shirk, i.e., associating any other (false) deity with Allah. The Oneness of Allah is the central pillar of Islam. Therefore, if someone attributes partners to Allah – partners He never had – this is considered the most serious sin in Islam. Allah says in the Quran: “Allah does not forgive that anything be associated with Him, but He forgives whatever is less than that for whom He wills. Whoever sets up partners with Allah has indeed gone far astray.” (An-Nisa 4: 117)
The Holy Prophet Muhammad (pbuh)
listed the major sins in Islam. He said: “Here are the major sins:
polytheism (Shirk; associating others with Allah in worship), disobedience to
parents, murder and false oaths.” (Bukhari)
He also warned us against seven
destructive sins: “Idolatry, sorcery, unjust killing, consuming interest
(Riba), taking the wealth of an orphan, fleeing from the battlefield and
slandering chaste, believing women.” (Bukhari, Muslim)
Thus, pure belief is essential in
Islam. The Holy Prophet (pbuh) said: “Whoever dies without associating
anything with Allah will enter Paradise; whoever dies while associating another
deity with Him will enter Hell.” (Muslim)
He also warned his followers: “Do
not worship me as the Christians worship the son of Mary. I am only a servant
of Allah and His Messenger.” (Bukhari)
The Holy Prophet (pbuh) condemned
occult practices such as sorcery and consulting fortune-tellers. He said: “Whoever
consults a fortune-teller and believes in what they say will have their prayers
rejected for forty days.” (Muslim)
One day, people asked the Prophet (pbuh)
about those who claim to predict the future or reveal hidden matters. He
replied: “They know nothing.” The people then said: “But O Prophet,
sometimes they tell us things that turn out to be true.” He responded: “That
is only a word stolen by a Jinn, whispered into the ear of his companion (the
fortune-teller), who then mixes it with a hundred lies.” (Bukhari, Muslim)
In another Hadith, the Prophet (pbuh)
said: “Geomancy, omens and Ornithomancy are forms of sorcery and idolatry.”
(Abu Dawud)
To understand this better, let us
look at what these terms mean. Geomancy is the practice of reading signs in
sand or earth to predict the future. Omens refer to interpreting signs or
events as good or bad luck; for example, believing that Saturday is an unlucky
day. Ornithomancy is the act of reading the movements or cries of birds to make
predictions (bird divination).
As we can see, all these practices
are deeply serious and forbidden. Among the forms of Shirk is also
showing off (ostentation). The Holy Prophet (pbuh) said: “Showing off is a
form of polytheism.” (Ahmad)
2. Anger
Anger, although part of human
nature, can become destructive if one does not learn to control it. The Quran
praises those who restrain their anger: “Hasten towards actions that will
earn you the forgiveness of your Lord and a Garden as vast as the heavens and
the earth, prepared for those who are mindful of Allah (have Taqwa) - those who
spend in charity in times of ease and hardship, who restrain their anger and
forgive others. Allah loves those who do good.” (Al-Imran 3: 134-135)
The Holy Prophet Muhammad (pbuh)
taught that true strength lies in self-control. He said: “The strong person
is not the one who can fight well, but the one who can control his anger.”
(Bukhari, Muslim)
He also gave this advice to a man
who asked for guidance: “Do not become angry.” (Bukhari)
The Hadiths teach us simple ways to
manage anger. The Holy Prophet (pbuh) said: “If someone feels anger rising,
let him sit down.” (Abu Dawud) Another solution: “If someone feels anger
rising within him, let him remain silent.” (Ahmad)
The prohibitions in Islam do not end here. There are more. Insha-Allah, I will continue on the same subject next Friday. May Allah grant me the ability to do so, and may He help us all to stay far from what He has forbidden and walk His straight path with Taqwa and trust in Him alone. The unity of Muslims lies in following the guidance of Allah and His noble Prophet (pbuh). The Ummah must stop imitating non-Muslims and instead follow only the divine as well as the prophetic teachings of Islam, which will lead us all to a stronger faith and a flourishing Islam in the world. Insha-Allah, Ameen.
[----Friday Sermon of 19 September 2025 ~ 26 Rabi'ul Awwal 1447 AH delivered by Imam- Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam International Hazrat Muhyiuddin Al Khalifatullah Munir Ahmad Azim (aba) of Mauritius].