Narrated by Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him): The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said, "If you die while not associating anything with Allah, you will enter Paradise. And if you commit shirk (associate partners with Allah) and die without repenting from it, you will enter Hellfire." [Sahih Muslim, Book 1, Hadith 93]
Shirk is one of the gravest sins in Islam, referring to the act of associating partners with Allah or attributing divine attributes to other beings or objects. The essence of Islam lies in the belief in Tawheed, the oneness of Allah, as expressed in the Quran and reinforced through the Sunnah (the teachings and practices of the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him). The Quran condemns shirk in numerous verses, warning believers of its severe consequences and emphasizing the importance of worshiping Allah alone.
The Sunnah, as preserved in the Hadith, complements and clarifies the teachings of the Quran regarding shirk. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) firmly denounced any form of shirk and continuously reminded his followers of the pure monotheism that Islam upholds. Through his actions and sayings, he provided practical examples of Tawheed and demonstrated how to avoid shirk in daily life.
In one hadith, the Prophet (peace be upon him) stated, "Allah has forbidden Paradise for those who attribute partners to Him, even if they were born and raised in Islam." This powerful statement emphasizes that merely identifying as a Muslim is not enough to guarantee salvation if one indulges in shirk. True faith requires complete submission to Allah alone, without associating any partners with Him.
Furthermore, the Sunnah highlights the necessity of seeking Allah's protection from shirk in daily prayers. We as Muslims recite Surah Al-Fatihah in every unit of their prayers, wherein they beseech Allah to guide them on the straight path and protect them from going astray, as exemplified in the following verse of the Quran: "Guide us to the straight path, the path of those upon whom You have bestowed favor, not of those who have evoked [Your] anger or of those who are astray." (Quran, 1:6-7)
In conclusion, shirk is a cardinal sin in Islam, and the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) serves as a practical guide for believers to uphold the belief in the oneness of Allah.
Through the teachings of the Quran and Hadith, Muslims are continually reminded to avoid all forms of shirk and to remain steadfast in their devotion to Allah alone. By adhering to the Tawheed and following the Sunnah, believers seek to attain the ultimate goal of pleasing Allah and attaining eternal salvation.