Question
A man made Nikaah with a lady. After a few years of marriage, the lady said to the husband that from the age of nine she believed that Allah will accept the worship of the Hindus as they claim to worship God through their idols, though she did not express her belief in words. At the time of their Nikaah she maintained this belief. A few days ago, she realised that such a belief is incorrect and has since repented to Allah. What is the status of their Nikaah?
Answer
At the very outset, it important to understand a few aspects:
1. What was the Shirk of the Mushrik Arabs
From the Holy Quraan itself it is evident that, despite recognizing Allah Ta Aala as the Creator, Owner, Planner, and Controller of the whole universe including their so called gods and goddesses; they considered their relationship with Allah Ta Aala to be so close, that if they wanted to give something to some person, they could give it. If they wanted to take something away from someone, they could take it away. If they wanted to take away someone’s wealth and make him poor, they could do so. Similarly, if they wanted to make someone sick or healthy, they could do so. If they wanted to give someone to give someone children, they could do so.
In short these Mushrikeen considered that, because of their gods’ special relationship with Allah Ta Aala, they had been given specific powers and freedom of decision in their exercise, and therefore, to gain their pleasure, they would worship them, and make vows to them, offer sacrifices to them, make Tawaaf (walk in circles) around their statues, and ask their help in obtaining their needs and solving their difficulties.
The Quraan-e-Majeed has called this kind of thinking and this kind of behavior “Shirk”, and this is the Shirk that is found in the Mushrikeen of most people and countries.
2. Who were the gods of these Mushrikeen
It should be understood who these gods were (that the Arabs worshiped), about whom the Mushrikeen had these beliefs, whom they regarded as able to fulfil their needs and remove their difficulties and whom they therefore worshiped.
Many people think that these things had to do with stone statues. But in reality, these stone statues were not their actual gods. The relationship of the Mushrikeen was with the Saints, souls and spirits that these statues represented. It is the same souls or spirits that were worshiped and whom the Arabs believed to have the power to fulfil their needs and remove their difficulties.
3. The Shirk of the Hindus
Similarly, the Hindus of today, worship idols of Krishnaji or Ramchandarji. The object of their worship is not the statue itself, but the person of Krishnaji or Ramchandarji. The statue is made as a means of focusing attention and as a medium of worship. It is due to this that these idols are shown respect.
4. The rejection of such type of Shirk in the Quraan-e-Majeed
The Arab Mushrikeen neither regarded their gods as creators of the world nor as the source of providence, like how Allah Ta Aala is the Creator of the world and the source of providence; nor did they consider them to be in any way equal to Allah Ta Aala. Their Shirk was that despite believing Allah Ta Aala as the Creator, Owner and controller of the universe, they considered their gods to have some sought of control over things like effecting harm and giving benefit due to close relationship with Allah Ta Aala.
On this basis, to please them, they used to worship them (make Sajdah in front of them, make Tawaaf of them, offer sacrifices for them and ask them for favours and fulfilment of their needs etc.). As mentioned above, the same type of Shirk is present in the Hindus. This type of Shirk has been rejected and refuted repeatedly in the Holy Quraan by Allah due to which there remains no doubt that this type of Shirk is unacceptable in the court of Allah Ta Aala.
Consider the following Aayaat of the Quraan-e-Majeed:
Besides Him, they (the Kuffaar) adopt Aaliha who cannot create anything, but have themselves been created. They have no power to affect any harm nor any benefit to themselves, and do not have any power over life, death or resurrection (when they are so helpless, how can they be worshiped?).
[Surah Furqaan:3]
Say, “call those (gods) whom you worship besides Allah Ta Aala (to assist you in any way in this world or in the Aakhirah). (However, they are unable to assist you in the least because) They have no control over (even) an atom’s weight in the heavens or in the earth. (Let alone having complete power over anything,) They do not even share any partnership in the two, and none of them are assistants to Allah Ta Aala (because He sends none to assist Him in anything.”
[Surah Saba:22]
Say (to the Mushrikeen), “Call on those that you consider (as gods) besides Allah (when you are in difficulty). (When you do this, you will discover that) They are unable to remove difficulties from you, nor can they shift (it away from you).”
[Surah Bani Israa’eel:56]
Say, “O people! If you are in doubt about my Deen, then (I would like to make it clear that) I do not worship that (idols and gods) you worship besides Allah Ta Aala. However, I worship that Allah Who shall take your lives. I have been commanded to be (to remain) one of the Mu’mineen…[105] …and (I have been commanded with the words) ‘Focus your attention towards the Deen in such a way that you turn away from all other religions (and their practices), never be among the Mushrikeen…[106] …and, besides Allah , do not call on (do not worship) any being who cannot benefit nor harm you (do not worship pr pray to them because they cannot harm you or benefit you). If you do so, you will surely be of the oppressors (wrong-doers).”
If Allah Ta Aala afflicts you with (any) harm, none can remove it besides Him. (On the contrary). If he intends (any) good for you, none can prevent His grace (none can stop the good from reaching you). He bestows His grace on those of His bondsman whom He pleases and He is the Most Forgiving, the Most Merciful (in both worlds).
[Surah Younus:104]
In the above-mentioned verses and hundreds of similar verses, the Shirk of the Arabs and similarly, the Shirk of the Hindus too) has been rejected and refuted by Allah Ta Aala repeatedly. The true and correct belief is that there is none worthy of worship except Allah Ta Aala and Allah Ta Aala is the sole controller of the universe. Benefit and harm are in the hands of Allah Ta Aala. Everything happens through the will and wish of Allah Ta Aala.
5. What is Ibaadah?
Ibaadah in Shar’i terminology refers to unseeingly believe in a being to be in control of everything and one who fulfils everyone’s need and therefore carrying out acts of worship like Sajdah, Tawaf, Nazar and Qurbaani to please him. Ibaadah in this sense is only and exclusively the right of Allah Ta Aala. Whoever attributes this to some other being other than Allah Ta Aala in without doubt a “Mushrik”!
In the light of the above, one can safely come to a conclusion that the Hindus fall under category of the Mushrikeen and therefore will not be accepted in the court of Allah Ta Aala.
6. Two types of ‘Aqaa’id (beliefs)
One that are established as having narrated from Nabi Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam by channels that are so clear-cut that there is no room for doubt and which have been, in every era narrated with such Tawaatur (unanimity) that there is no room left for differing interpretations. Such beliefs in the terminology of the scholars in known as the Dharooriyyaat of Deen. The second are those which, even though they are sufficiently well-established to be accepted confidently, do not have that degree of definitiveness and unanimity that allows for no differences in interpretation. The “Ummahaat-ul- ‘Aqaa’id” (essential and fundamental beliefs), Tawhid (oneness of Allah Ta Aala), Risaalat (prophethood) and Aakhirah (hereafter), belong to the first category of ‘Aqaa’id. Denying any of those ‘Aqaa’id that fall under the first category will take a person out of the fold of Islaam. (May Allah Ta Aala protect us)
After understanding the above-mentioned aspects, one can safely come to a conclusion that to believe, although out of ignorance, that Allah Ta Aala will accept the worship of the Hindus is believing in something that Allah Ta Aala has rejected and refuted repeatedly in the Quraan-e-Kareem and thus, will not be dealt with and taken lightly. Therefore, it will be imperative for the lady to repent to Allah Ta Aala and renew her Imaan and Nikaah.
Lastly, our advice is that one should endeavor to learn the correct beliefs so this type of cases is not experienced. May Allah Ta Aala grant us the correct understanding of Deen. May he keep us steadfast on Imaan, may He take us from this world in the state of Imaan and may He resurrect us on the day of
Qiyaamah among the Mu’mineen.
Checked and Approved By:
Mufti Muhammed Saeed Motara Saheb D.B.
References
أما إذا تكلم بكلمة ولم يدر أنها كلمة كفر ففي فتاوى قاضيخان حكاية خلاف من غير ترجيح حيث قال لا يكفر لعذره بالجهل وقيل يكفر ولا يعذر بالجهل أقول الأظهر الأول إلا إذا كان من قبيل ما يعلم من الدين بالضرورة فإنه حينئذ يكفر ولا يعذر بالجهل
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