Major polytheism, or Shirk Akbar, is the act of dedicating worship or devotion to anyone or anything other than Allāh. This includes praying, making sacrifices, seeking assistance, or showing ultimate love and reverence to idols, deities, people, or objects alongside or instead of Allāh. In Islam, major shirk is the most serious offense because it directly violates Tawḥīd—the belief in the oneness of Allāh—by associating others with Him.
The consequences of major shirk are extremely severe:
- It removes a person from Islam: Someone who commits major shirk without repentance is considered outside the fold of Islam.
- It is an unforgivable sin if one dies without repenting: Allāh says,
“Indeed, Allāh does not forgive associating partners with Him, but He forgives anything else for whom He wills.”
— Surah An-Nisa (4:48) - It bars one from Paradise: Allāh warns,
“Indeed, whoever associates others with Allāh—Allāh has forbidden him Paradise, and his refuge is the Fire.”
— Surah Al-Ma’idah (5:72)
Major shirk is thus considered the gravest sin, as it denies Allāh’s unique right to be worshiped alone and undermines the foundation of faith in Islam.