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Who deserves to be Worshiped ?

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6. THE MESSAGE OF FALSE RELIGIONS<br />

False religions, on the other hand, all teach the worship of creation (paganism) in<br />

one way or another. Some religions call <strong>to</strong>wards idolatry indirectly, while<br />

proclaiming Allah’s Oneness; others openly invite people <strong>to</strong> the worship of other<br />

gods along with Allah, instead of calling <strong>to</strong>wards the worship of Allah alone (pure<br />

monotheism). Idolatry is the greatest sin that a human <strong>be</strong>ing can commit <strong>be</strong>cause it<br />

diverts worship from the Crea<strong>to</strong>r <strong>to</strong> His creation. It necessarily implies elevating the<br />

creation <strong>to</strong> the status of Allah and thus equating His creation with Him. This<br />

explains why idolatry is the greatest sin a human <strong>be</strong>ing can commit. Anyone who<br />

dies in a state of idolatry has sealed his or her fate in the hereafter.<br />

{Indeed, Allah does not forgive association with Him, but He forgives what is less<br />

than that for whom He wills…} (Quran 4: 48) 11<br />

Human <strong>be</strong>ings should not worship anything or anyone other than Allah. This is<br />

<strong>be</strong>cause it makes no sense <strong>to</strong> worship the creation, which is weak in nature, and <strong>to</strong><br />

neglect the Crea<strong>to</strong>r <strong>Who</strong> controls this creation and the whole universe! Not only is<br />

this act misdirected and futile, it is a manifestation of ingratitude <strong>to</strong> the One <strong>Who</strong><br />

has created everything. Allah has said in the Quran:<br />

{Do they associate with Him those who create nothing and they are [themselves]<br />

created? And the false deities are unable <strong>to</strong> [give] them help, nor can they help<br />

themselves. And if you [<strong>be</strong>lievers] invite them <strong>to</strong> guidance, they will not follow you.<br />

It is all the same for you whether you invite them or you are silent. Indeed, those<br />

you [polytheists] call upon <strong>be</strong>sides Allah are slaves like you. So call upon them and<br />

let them respond <strong>to</strong> you, if you should <strong>be</strong> truthful. Do they have feet by which they<br />

walk? Or do they have hands by which they strike? Or do they have eyes by which<br />

they see? Or do they have ears by which they hear...?} (Quran 7: 191-195)<br />

11<br />

The same wording is also found in Quran 4: 116.<br />

27

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