This text presents an analysis of polytheism with respect to God and idols, using the Holy Quran as reference. It also studies idolatry with respect to resurrection and refutes that concept logically while explaining the essence of monotheism.
A Study of Polytheism and Idolatry in the Qur’an
Author: Sayyid ‘Abbās Sayyid Karīmī (Husaynī)
Translator: Kelvin Lembani (Muhammad ‘Abd al-‘Azīz)
Prepared by: Translation Unit, Cultural Affairs Department; the Ahl al-Bayt (‘a) World Assembly
Editor: Sayyidah Iffat Shah
Proofreader: Majid Karimi
Publisher: ABWA Publishing and Printing Center
First Printing: 2010
Printed by: Mojab Press
Copies: 5,000
© The Ahl al-Bayt (‘a) World Assembly (ABWA)
www.ahl-ul-bayt.org
info@ahl-ul-bayt.org
ISBN: 978-964-529-661-0
All rights reserved
- A Study of Polytheism and Idolatry in the Qur’an
- Foreword
- Chapter 1: Polytheistic Beliefs with respect to Allah
- Chapter 2: Polytheistic Beliefs with respect to Idols
- Equating idols with Allah
- The first proof: polytheists’ avowal of equality on the Day of Resurrection
- The second proof: applying the word ‘god’ to idols
- The third proof: simultaneity
- The fourth proof: incompatibility
- Fifth proof: ‘besides Allah’
- Sixth proof: belittlement if idols
- Seventh proof: polytheism is a great injustice
- Eighth proof: the terms ‘partner’ and ‘idolatry’
- Ninth proof: lack of ownership
- Tenth proof: independence in affecting cosmic affairs
- Eleventh proof: invitation to monotheism
- Twelfth proof: the Noble Prophet’s invitation to monotheism
- Thirteenth proof: sincere devotion in religion
- Fourteenth proof: reference to primordial nature
- Fifteenth proof: detestation of monotheism
- Sixteenth proof: Sūrat al-Tawhīd
- Seventeenth proof: belief in the ownership of idols
- Eighteenth proof: using the word lord for idols
- Reasons for asserting that idolaters used to believe that idols were longitudinal with Allah and dependent on Him and critiquing those reasons
- Al-Mīzān’s statement regarding idolatrous beliefs
- The meaning of idols’ intercession
- Another explanation asserting that idols lacked independence
- Two assertions that idolaters used to believe that their idols were longitudinal with Allah
- Summary of Al-Mīzān’s statements
- An independent summary
- Permitted and forbidden intercession
- Conclusion
- Āyatullāh Zanjānī’s assertion
- A study and critique of Āyatullāh Zanjānī’s assertion
- A thorough response and critique of certain parts of Āyatullāh Zanjānī’s assertion
- Idolatrous beliefs described in Al-Mīzān
- Polytheistic beliefs that idols intercede independently
- A critique of another part of Āyatullāh Zanjānī’s assertion
- A defense of Āyatullāh Zanjānī’s assertion and a response to it
- Chapter 3: Idolatrous Beliefs with respect to the Resurrection
- Chapter 4: Idolatrous Religious Rites
- Idolatrous rites
- a) Slaughtering animals in the name of idols
- b) Cutting and/or slitting the ears of animals
- c) Slaughtering animals with the intention of gaining proximity to idols
- d) Animals whose use was forbidden
- e) Apportioning yield from animal and crop husbandry between Allah and idols
- f) Killing children on account of fear of poverty
- g) Ignominy for having daughters and burying female newborns alive
- h) Worshipping and supplicating idols
- Idolatrous rites
- Chapter 5: The Social Culture of Idolaters
- Chapter 6: Idolatry is an Illogical Creed
- First verse:
- Second verse:
- Third verse:
- Fourth verse:
- Fifth verse:
- Sixth verse:
- Seventh verse:
- Eighth verse:
- Ninth verse:
- Tenth verse:
- Eleventh verse:
- Twelfth verse:
- Thirteenth verse:
- Fourteenth verse:
- Fifteenth verse:
- Is idolatry a reality or a delusion?
- The monotheism of polytheists in crises
- Awakening the primordial nature of polytheists
- Demonstrating the weakness of idols
- Chapter 7: Causes of Idolatry
- Chapter 8: Categories of Polytheists
- Chapter 9: Types of Polytheism
- Chapter 10: What is Tawhīd (Monotheism)?
- Chapter 11: The Etymological and Juristic Meaning of Worship [‘ibādah]
