The Four Foundations of Shirk - QSEP

In the above principle, is a refutation of those who say, 'He who
worships idols is not like the one who worship a righteous man or an
Angel, because the former worships stones and trees, he worships
inanimate objects whereas the latter worships a pious person, and a
wali of Allah is not like the idol.'
By this (false justification) they seek (to prove) that the ruling
concerning a grave-worshiper today is different from (the ruling
concerning) those who worshiped the idols. So he (who worships the
engraved) should not be declared a disbeliever, and this act of his
should not be considered an act of Shirk and it should not be
permissible to fight him.
We say that the Prophet did not differentiate between
them, rather he considered all of them to be mushrikeen and he
permitted fighting them. There were those who worshiped Eesa
and Eesa is a Prophet of Allah, yet he fought them. The Jews
worshiped Uzair, who was from their Prophets or their righteous
men, the Prophet fought them, he did not differentiate between
them.
(Consequently) There is no distinction with regards to Shirk,
whether one worships a righteous person or an idol or stones or
trees, because (the definition of) shirk is, 'worshiping other than
Allah, whoever it might be.' Therefore Allah says, "Worship Allah and
do not associate anything (Shai'a) with Him." [Soorah an-Nisa (4): 36]
The word ''Shai'a (i.e., anything)" is mentioned in the context
of negation and it comprises everything, it includes everyone who is
made an associate with Allah; Angels, Prophets, righteous, pious,
stones and trees.
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