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Lesson 6Shirk & Implications of Tawhid
IMPLICATIONS OF TAWHID
SHIRK IS TO ASSIGN PARTNERS TO ALLAHThere are apparent
(obvious), Shirk Jali, and concealed (secret) Shirk Khafi
types of shirk. The apparent kind is the one we all know.
Believing in three gods, accepting idols as intercessors before
Allah, etc. are included in this group.
Concealed shirk is separated into two types. The first is to
show hypocrisy and act for the sake of people, forgetting the sake
of Allah or pay too much attention to the desires of soul. The
second is to give more importance to the created as opposed to the
Creator.
Islam is a religion of Oneness (Tawhid). The Owner and Possessor
of this world is unique. Every favor is absolutely in His blessed
treasure. Islam teaches to be grateful excessively neither to sun
for its light, nor to a farm for its crops, or to riches for their
affluence. Each favor is coming from the Sustainer of the heavens
and earth.
Monotheists, those who maintain tawhid, cannot be narrow-minded.
Their be-lief in One God, Creator of the heavens and the earth,
Master of the east and the west, and Sustainer of the universe,
leads them to view everything as belonging to the same Lord, to
Whom they belong as well. Their sympathy, love, and service are not
confined to any particular race, color, or group, and they come to
understand the Prophetic saying
“O servants of God, be brothers/sisters as God orders you!”
Belief in One God produces the highest degree of self-respect
and self-esteem in people. Monotheists know that only God has true
power, can benefit or harm them, fulfill their needs, cause them to
die, or wield authority and influence. This knowledge makes them
indifferent to all powers other than those of God. They never bow
in homage to any of God’s creatures. They are virtuous and
altruistic, for their purpose is to gain God’s approval by working
for His good pleasure.
• hypocrisy: the behavior of people who do things that they tell
other people not to do• affluence: having a large amount of money
and owning many expensive things• narrow-minded: not willing to
accept opinions, beliefs, or behaviors that are unusual or dif-
ferent from your own
• homage: respect or honor• altruistic: feelings and behavior
that show a desire to help other people and a lack of
selfishness
Key vocabulary
DISCUSS
What are the differences between Shirk Jali and
Shirk Khafi?
“O servants of God, be
brothers/sisters as God orders
you!”
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“They know that whatever they possess is given by God, and that
God can take away as easily as He gives.”
Given this belief, they understand that they can succeed only
through living right and just actions.
Believing in One God creates an attitude of peace and
contentment, purges the mind of jealousy, envy and greed, and
prevents one from resorting to un-fair means to achieve success.
Monotheists understand that God holds their wealth; that He bestows
honor, power, reputation, and authority as He wills and subjects
them to His Will.
They know that success and failure depend upon His Grace, for no
power can block His Will to give or not to give. They also know
that they must strive to deserve His Grace. But many of those who
do not believe in God consider success and failure to be the result
of their own efforts or by the help of earth-ly powers, and do not
take God’s Grace and Will into consideration. This leaves them
unable to achieve success.
• dignity: a way of appearing or behaving that suggests
seriousness and self-control
Key vocabulary
They know that whatever they
possess is given by God, and that
God can take away as easily as
He gives.
IMAGINE
Imagine a time in your life when you were faced
with a really difficult problem. How did Allah and your belief
in Allah help you through your
problem? Wouldn’t life be much harder
to handle without the mercy we receive from
Allah?
THINK
Through Islam, humankind finally
realized their dignity. What sense of pride does being a Muslim
give you? How does Islam help you
realize your dignity?
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WHAT DID WE LEARN?
ESSAY
• There are two kinds of Shirk
1. Shirk Jali
2. Shirk Khafi
• Monotheists, those who maintain tawhid, cannot be
narrow-minded
• Whatever we possess is given by God, and that God can take
away as easily as He gives.
• Believing in One God creates an attitude of peace and
contentment
• Islam made humankind finally find their dignity
• Believing in One God creates an attitude of peace and
contentment, purges the mind of jealousy, envy and greed, and
prevents one from resorting to unfair means to achieve success
1. What is Shirk Jali? Explain in a complete sentence.2. What is
Shirk Khafi? Explain in a complete sentence. 3. What does the text
mean when it says, those who believe in One God (monotheists)
cannot be nar-
row-minded? Describe in your own words. 4. According to the
text, how can we remove the feelings of jealousy, envy and greed
from ourselves?
We learned today that belief in Islam created the highest form
of self-esteem and self-respect. Write a 3 paragraph essay, using
the narrative style of writing, telling about your own self-esteem
and self-respect and how Islam and your belief in One God
(monotheism) makes you a happier person.
Unal, Ali An introduction to Islamic Faith and Thought. New
Jersey, Tughra Books, 2009 Print.http://www.questionsonislam.com,
Article, What does Shirk-I Khafi Mean?Merriam-Webster’s Learner’s
Dictionary. Merriam-Webster’s Learner’s Dictionary. N.p.,
HypocrisyAffluenceImplications
Narrow-mindedHomageAltruistic
Dignity
LESSON SUMMARY:
LESSON REVIEW: INDIVIDUAL ASSESSMENT
LESSON VOCABULARY
REFERENCE PAGE
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CHAPTER REVIEW
ESSAY
1. What is the literal meaning of Tawhid?2. What was Prophet
Muhammad’s response when asked if he had seen God? 3. What is the
difference in meaning between god, God, and Allah?4. What are the
“links” between Allah and the created, or the “reflectors” with
which to have knowledge of
Allah?5. What are the two degrees of belief in God’s Unity?6.
Define: Shirk
Now that the chapter on Belief in God is complete, you should
have a new understanding of what it means to believe in a
monotheistic religion. Tawhid, avoidance of Shirk, and believing in
God’s Unity are import-ant aspects of our faith. Write an essay
summarizing your understanding of this chapter. The essay should be
at least four paragraphs using details from the text, as well as
examples from your life.
ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS IN DETAIL:
