Amaran:
1) Penulisan ini terkandung 2441 patah perkataan yang akan membosankan anda jika anda hanya bertujuan untuk sekilas pandang atau mencari keseronokan dalam membaca. Tetapi jika anda inginkan ilmu dan sesuatu fakta yang boleh mengubah persepsi matlamat hidup anda di dunia dan akhirat, teruskan membaca.
2) Juga, penulisan ini mengandungi 2jenis bahasa yang digunakan yakni Bahasa Melayu dan Bahasa Inggeris.
Waktu saya menjalankan urusan kerja di pejabat, mata leka di hadapan computer, tapi cuma fikiran jauh menerawang kepada perkara2 lain. Satu perkara yang akhir-akhir ini melanda proses akal saya ialah majority suara ‘umat Islam’ (khususnya kaum Me-Layu) di Malaysia yang lebih kurang sama jawapannya apabila ditanyakan satu soalan cepu emas;
“What is your goal in your life?” (apakah matlamat hidup dalam diri anda?)
Care to answer o’ my fellow Muslims?
Secara purata, majoritinya akan menjawab seperti berikut:-
a) Aku nak kawin ngan perempuan cun, yang boleh jadi bini and jaga aku and menghasilkan zuriat yg comel².
b) Aku nak capai jawatan (manager,boss, assistant manager, VP,etc) bila I reached__________ years old.
c) Aku nak ada rumah aku sendiri and kereta yang agak mewah/memang mewah.
d) Aku nak kawin within_______ years, ada career yang stabil, suami yang penyayang,and _____org anak.
e) Aku nak jadi terkenal macam (kalau artist-madonna,Angelina jolie,brad pitt, Jessica alba, Donald trump, Tom Cruise, Beyonce, Oprah, etc) sebab diorang ada rumah besar, kaya, and senang.
f) Aku nak pergi haji, bawak family aku, pastu aku nk simpan duit untuk anak cucu aku.
Semua jawapan di atas tiada salahnya bagi saya. Cuma saya terkilan apabila saya telah mengerti jawapan² di atas menjurus kepada sifat keduniaan, material dan harta benda semata-mata. Persoalannya, manusia diciptakan Allah tidak lain hanyalah untuk beribadah kepada-Nya (saya tahu ramai akan mencebik dengan mengatakan kenyataan ini adalah suatu pernyataan yang terlalu total yakni tidak dapat dibantah kerana ianya lahir dari qalam Allah itu sendiri). Namun apabila kita menjawab soalan cepu emas itu tadi, apakah bukti yang kukuh yang dapat kita simpulkan yang jawapan² kita itu hanyalah kerana Allah sahaja? Atau untuk orang atau perkara lain dahulu baru disusuli oleh Allah? Maka jika Allah bukan priority dalam jawapan ini apakah yang sebenarnya yang kita telah/akan lakukan dalam kehidupan kita ini? Apakah perkara² yang kita jawab itu yang perlu ‘dipuja’ sehingga menjadi satu matlamat/goal dalam kehidupan kita???? Adakah kita sudah kenal pasti yang mana ‘berhala’ (idol) atau idola kita dalam kehidupan kita ini sebenar-benarnya?
What is idol? A simple definition of idol worship is to believe that anything beside God can help us, or to hold something as more important to us than God. Thus if we hold our property (for example) as more important than God /or give our jobs more time and attention than God - we are committing idol worship.
Unfortunately, the majority of people who believe in God commit this gross offense without even realizing it. If you ask them,
"
"What do you mean, `Who is your god?' they will ask, `My god is the Creator of the heavens and the earth.' "
And most of these people will be shocked to find out that their proclamation that their god is the Creator of the heavens and the earth is no more than lip service, and that they are in fact destined for Hell
Dan sebahagian besar dari mereka tidak beriman kepada Allah, melainkan dalam keadaan mempersekutukan Allah (dengan sembahan-sembahan lain). [Yusuf:106]
Idol worship is a gross injustice, the violation of the first commandment in all the scriptures of God, and is an unforgivable sin if maintained until death.
Recall that Luqmaan said to his son, as he enlightened him,
"O my son, do not set up any idols beside GOD; idolatry is a gross injustice."*
[Luqman:13]
Footnote: *Luqman:13 How will you feel if you take care of a child, give him the best education, and prepare him for life, only to see him thank someone else? Thus is idolatry; injustice.
GOD does not forgive idolatry,(syirik)* but He forgives lesser offenses for whomever He wills. Anyone who sets up idols beside GOD, has forged a horrendous offense.
[An Nisaa’:48]
Footnote: *An Nisaa’:48 Idol worship is not forgivable, if maintained until death. One can always repent from any offense, including idolatry, before death comes (see
God tells us that idol worship nullifies all work
Any work we do, if not devoted absolutely to God, does not serve to grow our souls.
Dan sesungguhnya telah diwahyukan kepadamu dan kepada (nabi-nabi) yang sebelummu.
"Jika kamu mempersekutukan (Tuhan), niscaya akan hapuslah amalmu dan tentulah kamu termasuk orang-orang yang merugi.
[Az Zumar:65]
The natural instinct of monotheism that God has placed in us (
Here’s what I have found on types of idol, and for us, we or YOU to think and act once you have spot your main ‘idol’.
Types of Idols
Idol worship is not just restricted to worship of any statues or picture frames, etc. The Quran cites many forms of idol worship.
1. Calf, statues as idols.
[2:51] Yet, when we summoned Moses for forty nights, you worshiped the calf in his absence, and turned wicked.*
[21:51-53] Before that, we granted Abraham his guidance and understanding, for we were fully aware of him.* He said to his father and his people, "What are these statues to which you are devoting yourselves?" They said, "We found our parents worshiping them."
2. Worshipping other gods (is worshipping the devil).
[4:117] They even worship female gods besides Him; as a matter of fact, they only worship a rebellious devil.
3. Jesus as idol.
[5:72] Pagans indeed are those who say that GOD is the Messiah, son of Mary. The Messiah himself said, "O Children of Israel, you shall worship GOD; my Lord* and your Lord." Anyone who sets up any idol beside GOD, GOD has forbidden Paradise for him, and his destiny is Hell. The wicked have no helpers.
4. Jinns as idols.
[6:100] Yet, they set up beside GOD idols from among the jinns, though He is the One who created them. They even attribute to Him sons and daughters, without any knowledge. Be He glorified. He is the Most High, far above their claims.
5. Children as idols.
[7:190] But when He gives them a good baby, they turn His gift into an idol that rivals Him. GOD be exalted, far above any partnership.
6. Humans as idols.
[7:194] The idols you invoke besides GOD are creatures like you. Go ahead and call upon them; let them respond to you, if you are right.
7. "Intercessors" as Idols. From the Quran, it is obvious - there is no intercession by anyone on the Day of Judgment.
[10:18] They worship beside GOD idols that possess no power to harm them or benefit them, and they say, "These are our intercessors at GOD!" Say, "Are you informing GOD of something He does not know in the heavens or the earth?" Be He glorified. He is the Most High; far above needing partners.
8. Satan as an idol.
[14:22] And the devil will say, after the judgment had been issued, "GOD has promised you the truthful promise, and I promised you, but I broke my promise. I had no power over you; I simply invited you, and you accepted my invitation. Therefore, do not blame me, and blame only yourselves. My complaining cannot help you, nor can your complaining help me. I have disbelieved in your idolizing me. The transgressors have incurred a painful retribution."
9. Property as an idol.
[18:32-36] Cite for them the example of two men: we gave one of them two gardens of grapes, surrounded by date palms, and placed other crops between them. Both gardens produced their crops on time, and generously, for we caused a river to run through them. Once, after harvesting, he boastfully told his friend: "I am far more prosperous than you, and I command more respect from the people." When he entered his garden, he wronged his soul by saying, "I do not think that this will ever end. "Moreover, I think this is it; I do not think that the Hour (the Hereafter) will ever come to pass. Even if I am returned to my Lord, I will (be clever enough to) possess an even better one over there."
[18:42] Indeed, his crops were wiped out, and he ended up sorrowful, lamenting what he had spent on it in vain, as his property lay barren. He finally said, "I wish I never set up my property as a god beside my Lord."
10. The dead prophets, messengers and saints as idols.
[16:20-21] As for the idols they set up beside GOD, they do not create anything; they themselves were created. They are dead, not alive, and they have no idea how or when they will be resurrected.
[3:79] Never would a human being whom GOD blessed with the scripture and prophethood say to the people, "Idolize me beside GOD." Instead, (he would say), "Devote yourselves absolutely to your Lord alone," according to the scripture you preach and the teachings you learn.
11. God's servants as idols.
[18:102] Do those who disbelieve think that they can get away with setting up My servants as gods beside Me? We have prepared for the disbelievers Hell as an eternal abode.
The idol need not be an image in front of you.
12. Ego as an idol.
This is a common form of idolatry. Most humans, because of their ego cannot bring themselves to worship God, nor can they make their opinion subordinate to God's opinion spelled out in the Quran because of their ego. If we disobey God and His messenger, we are committing idol worship even though there is no image in front of us. This is because we would be giving our opinion more importance than God's words.
[25:43] Have you seen the one whose god is his own ego? Will you be his advocate?
[45:23] Have you noted the one whose god is his ego? Consequently, GOD sends him astray, despite his knowledge, seals his hearing and his mind, and places a veil on his eyes. Who then can guide him, after such a decision by GOD? Would you not take heed?
13. Upholding religious Sources other than God's words, as an idol
As a Submitter (Muslim) if we follow a source other than Quran for religious guidance it would be idolatry. The following verse makes it clear that the Quran is God's Testimony. Following any other source is defined as idolatry. Worshipping God is to obey His words only (Quran) and not the words of humans (scholars, religious leaders, mullahs, etc.).
[6:19] Say, "Whose testimony is the greatest?" Say, "GOD's. He is the witness between me and you that this Quran* has been inspired to me, to preach it to you and whomever it reaches. Indeed, you bear witness that there are other gods* beside GOD." Say, "I do not testify as you do; there is only one god, and I disown your idolatry."
14. Religious leaders and scholars as idols.
[9:31] They have set up their religious leaders and scholars as lords,* instead of GOD. Others deified the Messiah, son of Mary. They were all commanded to worship only one god. There is no god except He. Be He glorified, high above having any partners.
Footnote: *9:31 If you consult the "Muslim scholars" about worshiping God alone, and upholding the word of God alone, as taught in this proven scripture, they will advise you against it. If you consult the Pope about the identity of Jesus, he will advise you to uphold a trinity. If you obey the "Muslim scholars" whose advice is contrary to God's teachings, or if you take the Pope's advice instead of God's, you have set up these religious leaders as gods instead of God.
15. Creating sects in religion is idol worship.
The Quran forbids dividing ourselves into sects. Those who divide into sects are termed as idol worshippers.
[30:31-32] You shall submit to Him, reverence Him, observe the Contact Prayers (Salat), and - whatever you do - do not ever fall into idol worship. (Do not fall in idol worship,) like those who divide their religion into sects; each party rejoicing with what they have.
16. Dividing believers and providing comfort to those who oppose God and His messengers is practicing idol worship.
[9:107] There are those who abuse the masjid by practicing idol worship, dividing the believers, and providing comfort to those who oppose GOD and His messenger. They solemnly swear: "Our intentions are honorable!" GOD bears witness that they are liars.
Footnote: *9:107 Any masjid where the practices are not devoted absolutely to God ALONE belongs to Satan, not God. For example, mentioning the names of Abraham, Muhammad, and/or Ali in the Azan and/or the Salat prayers violates God's commandments in 2:136, 2:285, 3:84, & 72:18. Unfortunately, this is a common idolatrous practice throughout the corrupted Muslim world.
We learn from the Quran that idols cannot judge (
God grants perfect security and happiness for believers who are devoted to Him alone without committing idol worship.
[6:82] Those who believe, and do not pollute their belief with idol worship, have deserved the perfect security, and they are truly guided.
[39:17] As for those who discard the worship of all idols, and devote themselves totally to GOD alone, they have deserved happiness. Give good news to My servants.
May God protect us from worshiping idols.
[14:35] Recall that Abraham said, "My Lord, …. protect me and my children from worshiping idols.
Katakanlah: sesungguhnya sembahyangku, ibadatku, hidupku dan matiku hanyalah untuk Allah, Tuhan semesta alam. Tiada sekutu bagiNya; dan demikian itulah yang diperintahkan kepadaku dan aku adalah orang yang pertama-tama menyerahkan diri (kepada Allah)." Katakanlah: "Apakah aku akan mencari Tuhan selain Allah, padahal Dia adalah Tuhan bagi segala sesuatu. Dan tidaklah seorang membuat dosa melainkan kemudharatannya kembali kepada dirinya sendiri; dan seorang yang berdosa tidak akan memikul dosa orang lain. Kemudian kepada Tuhanmulah kamu kembali, dan akan diberitakan-Nya kepadamu apa yang kamu perselisihkan."
[Al An’aam:162-164]