The Idols of Our Time

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

   Throughout history, although people have acknowledged the existence of Allah, they have often fallen into the grave mistake of associating partners with Him. From the people of Noah, ‘Ād and Thamūd, to the society of Nimrod in the time of Prophet Abraham (peace be upon him), many nations have worshipped idols and taken them as deities.

The Qur’an describes this situation as follows:

“They worship besides Allah things that can neither harm them nor benefit them, and they say, ‘These are our intercessors with Allah.’” (Yūnus, 10:18)

During the Age of Ignorance, the Arabs worshipped idols made of stone, wood, gold, or silver. They had famous idols such as Lāt, Manāt, and ‘Uzzā. They believed these idols were intermediaries that could bring them closer to Allah.

The Qur’an clearly rejects this belief:

“Unquestionably, for Allah alone is the pure religion. And those who take protectors besides Him [say], ‘We only worship them so that they may bring us nearer to Allah.’…” (Az-Zumar, 39:3)

This was an obvious and outward form of idolatry. However, over time, people began to turn not to stone or wood, but to the “idols” hidden within their hearts.

   As time changed, idolatry became more subtle and concealed. Today, open and visible idol worship is rare, yet hidden forms of idolatry continue to exist within people’s hearts. Sometimes this appears as excessive love for a person or thing, to the point of attributing to them qualities that belong only to Allah. When Allah grants success to someone, others may exaggerate their praise and almost turn that person into an idol. Yet, no matter how gifted a person may be, it is Allah who created them, granted them talents, and bestowed success.

   Khalid ibn al-Walid was the commander of the Muslim armies during the caliphate of Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him). When Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) became caliph, he removed Khalid from command and appointed Abu ‘Ubaydah ibn al-Jarrah in his place.

  This surprised many Muslims, for Khalid was a brilliant commander. But Umar’s purpose was not to punish him; it was to prevent people from relying on anyone other than Allah. Umar explained:

“I did not dismiss Khalid because I found fault in him, but because people might begin to believe that victories came through him. Victory is granted only by Allah.”

Likewise, when a person attributes their achievements to themselves rather than to Allah, and seeks the approval of others instead of Allah’s pleasure, they deviate from the right path. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:

“The thing I fear most for you is the minor shirk (association).”The Companions asked, “O Messenger of Allah, what is minor shirk?”He replied, “It is showing off (riya). On the Day of Resurrection, Allah will say to those who showed off, ‘Go to those for whom you used to show off in the world and see if you find any reward from them.’” (Ibn Mājah, Zuhd, 21)

At times, people take their own desires as gods without realizing it. They obey every whisper of their egos and become slaves to their passions, yet think themselves free. Indulging without limit in food, luxury, or power, insisting that others approve of everything they say—these are signs of such hidden idolatry.

The Qur’an describes these people clearly:

“Have you seen the one who takes his own desires as his god? Allah has left him astray knowingly, sealed his hearing and his heart, and put a cover on his sight…” (Al-Jāthiyah, 45:23)

The Prophet (peace be upon him) said:

“Three things are destructive: extreme stinginess, following desires, and self-admiration.” (Bayhaqī, Shu‘ab al-Îmān, 7/436)

   Some people worship wealth. They are so devoted to money that they exploit others and violate their rights without remorse, thinking themselves still true believers. They mistreat the poor and the helpless, oppress the weak, and yet think they pray sincerely. The Qur’an condemns such behavior:

“Have you seen the one who denies the religion? That is the one who drives away the orphan, and does not encourage feeding the poor. So woe to those who pray—those who are heedless of their prayer, those who show off, yet refuse small kindnesses.” (Al-Mā‘ūn, 1–7)

The Prophet (peace be upon him) warned:

“The worshipper of the dinar and dirham (money) will perish. If he is given, he is pleased; if he is not given, he becomes angry.” (Bukhārī, Riqāq, 31)

Others worship status and position. They forget that authority is a trust and a responsibility for which they will be accountable before Allah. When they idolize their power, they abuse their positions for personal gain.

Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) once rebuked a governor for enjoying the benefits of his office, saying:

“You took this office not as a spoil of war, but as a trust. You will answer to Allah for it!”

Those who idolize authority fear losing it as if it were death. History is filled with examples of bloody struggles for power. Yet the Prophet (peace be upon him) warned leaders:

“Each of you is a shepherd, and each of you will be held accountable for his flock. The ruler is a shepherd over his subjects. A man is a shepherd over his family. A woman is a shepherd over her home and children. All of you are shepherds, and all of you are accountable for your charges.” (Bukhārī, Jumu‘ah, 11)

True monotheism (tawhid) is not merely saying “Allah is One.” It is having a heart that gives no share of divinity to anything besides Allah. The one whose love, fear, hope, and satisfaction are directed only to Allah is the true believer.

“Allah has not placed two hearts in the chest of any man…” (Al-Ahzāb, 33:4)

For this reason, the champion of monotheism, Prophet Abraham (peace be upon him), prayed:

“My Lord! Keep me and my descendants away from worshipping idols.” (Ibrāhīm, 14:35)

May Allah, the Almighty, protect all humanity and the Ummah of Muhammad from both open and hidden forms of idolatry and shirk.