What is the Expiation for Associating Partners with Allah (Shirk)?
If a Muslim who has recited the Kalimah commits shirk (associating partners with Allah), can they repent and re-enter Islam?
Answer:
If someone who has accepted Islam commits shirk, they exit the fold of Islam. To re-enter Islam, they must completely abandon the act of shirk they were involved in. They must seek forgiveness from Allah for this sin and declare “Laa ilaaha illallah” (There is no deity worthy of worship except Allah).
The process of re-entering Islam after committing shirk is clarified in the following narration:
A Muslim should swear oaths only in the name of Allah. If someone swears an oath in the name of anyone or anything else, it constitutes an act of shirk. During the time of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), people used to worship idols such as Al-Lat and Al-‘Uzza. Even after embracing Islam, some would occasionally swear by these idols out of habit.
The Prophet (peace be upon him) explained the correction for such mistakes in the following hadith:
حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ أَخْبَرَنَا هِشَامُ بْنُ يُوسُفَ أَخْبَرَنَا مَعْمَرٌ عَنْ الزُّهْرِيِّ عَنْ حُمَيْدِ بْنِ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ
مَنْ حَلَفَ فَقَالَ فِي حَلِفِهِ وَاللَّاتِ وَالْعُزَّى فَلْيَقُلْ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَمَنْ قَالَ لِصَاحِبِهِ تَعَالَ أُقَامِرْكَ فَلْيَتَصَدَّقْ
Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) said, “Whomever takes an oath in which he mentions Lat and `Uzza (forgetfully), should say: None has the right to be worshipped but Allah (as an expiation), and whoever says to his companion. ‘Come along, let us gamble’ must give alms .
This narration was reported by Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him).
Source: Sahih Bukhari, Hadith 4860
- Final Verdict:
- Shirk is a grave sin that removes a person from the fold of Islam, but repentance is possible.
- The steps for repentance include abandoning shirk, seeking forgiveness, and reaffirming faith in Allah through the Kalimah.
- The hadith emphasizes the importance of expiating sins to maintain one’s standing in Islam.