Shirk (
Arabic ????) is the
Islamic concept of the
sin of
polytheism specifically, but in a more general way refers to worshipping other than
Allah, associating partners with him, giving his characteristics to others beside him, or not believing in his characteristics. Within
Islam, Major Shirk is a forgivable sin if one repents from it while one is alive, but according to Islamic texts, anyone who dies upon this sin will never enter paradise. It is the vice that is opposed to the virtue of
tawhid, literally "declaring [that which is] one", often translated into the
English term
monotheism.
[1]The word shirk is derived from the Arabic root Š-R-K (? ? ?). This consonantal root has the general meaning of "to share" (A. A. Nadwi, Vocabulary of the Qur'an). In the context of the Qur'an, the particular sense of "sharing as an equal partner" is usually understood, so that polytheism is "attributing a partner to Allah". In the Qur'an, shirk and the related word (plural Stem IV active participle) mushrikun (??????) "those who commit shirk and plot against Islam" often clearly refers to the enemies of Islam (as in verse 9.1-15) but sometimes it also refers to erring Muslims.
Shirk is defined in various ways.
Islamic commentators on the Qur'an have emphasized that pre-Islamic Arabic idolatry made a number of godlings (most memorably the three goddesses al-Manat, al-Lat and ?Uzza) equal associates of Allah (as the Qur'an discusses in the 53rd surat) and the word mushrikun is often translated into English as "polytheists".
