The Most Dangerous Form of Idolatry:
Covert Idolatry

So far we have been looking at idolatry in its general sense, where it stems from, how it emerges, and the forms it takes. In this chapter we consider a far more dangerous form of idolatry: covert idolatry.

Our beloved Prophet (May Allah bless him and grant him peace) warned believers against this type of idolatry, for which he gave showing off to people as an example. Mahmud ibn Lubayd narrated:

The Prophet (May Allah bless him and grant him peace) came out and announced, "O people, beware of secret Shirk (idolatry)!" The people asked, "O messenger of Allah, what is secret Shirk?" He replied, "When a man gets up to pray and strives to beautify his prayer because people are looking at him; that is secret Shirk." (Collected by Ibn Khuzaymah)

Abu Musaa narrated:

One day Allah's messenger delivered a sermon saying "O people, fear Shirk for it is more hidden than the creeping of an ant." Those whom Allah wished asked, "And how do we avoid it when it is more hidden than the creeping of an ant, O Messenger of Allah?" He replied, "Say: 'O Allah, we seek refuge in you from knowingly committing shirk with you and we ask your forgiveness for what we do not know about.'" (Collected by Ahmad and at-Tabarani)

Even though people may have escaped all of the snares cited above, they must still be on their guard against self-deception. If they wish to attain a truly unsullied faith, they must think about this subject and avoid pride. Allah commands His servants to believe in Him and turn only to Him without ascribing any equals to Him. This is revealed in the Qur'an:

As it is made clear in these verses, Allah has made undiluted faith obligatory and has forbidden idolatry. At the same time, He has revealed that He will direct anyone who turns to Him to the true path. In other words, those who want to be guided to the true path must avoid all forms of idolatry and "make your Lord your goal" (Surat al-Inshirah: 8). But what does this actually mean?ır.

It means regarding Allah as one's only friend and helper, seeking His approval alone, and basing oneself solely upon His mercy. One's ultimate aim is Allah's love and approval. For that reason, such people live according to His criteria, commands, and prohibitions. Other people's approval and contentment is always secondary, for they want nothing in the world other than their true friend, Allah, to be pleased with them. Every believer who reads these words may well think that he or she possesses these same attributes. However, instead of being absolutely certain of themselves, they should think long and deeply on the subject and constantly strive to perfect themselves.

Remembering that Allah controls all things

Those who dedicate themselves only to Allah have full trust in Him alone, for they know that only He has actual control of, and actual power over, everything. Thus, there is no need for them to call upon that, which is not Him. Those who possess this true trust never feel doubt and sadness, and are not troubled by anything that comes their way during life. Aware that Allah sends everything to test them, they accept it and turn toward Him. Out of respect for Him, they feel satisfied with whatever He, in His wisdom, has destined for them. There is a great deal of good in whatever true believers experience, a fact that they know very well. Surely Allah has the true knowledge of what is good for His servants. In the Qur'an Allah reveals this:

Therefore, true believers do not go astray when confronted by events or situations that unbelievers would consider dangerous and terrible. They remain steadfast in their trust of Allah, because if they feel even a moment's doubt it means that their trust in Allah is incomplete and that they have failed to properly appreciate His might and wisdom. This is coming dangerously close to idolatry, for which a true believer has no legitimate excuse.

Here is where covert idolatry emerges as a grave danger. For example, it would be completely wrong for those who find themselves in a difficult situation to think: I am generally very submissive. I have complete trust in Allah, but sometimes I panic and lack full submission. Self-deception is also very dangerous in such cases. Clearly, someone who follows this line of reasoning does not have full trust in Allah. Even if they accept His existence, just thinking of compromising their belief indicates a lack of complete submission and a failure to comprehend His infinite might. Such an attitude can exist only among idolaters.

However, those who dedicate themselves to Allah submit sincerely to the destiny He has created for them, for they know that it cannot be altered in any way. Allah reveals that whatever we experience is recorded in a book and that we can experience only what He has written in it. In the Qur'an Allah reveals this:

As it is made clear in the verse, every event in a person's life, without exception, is recorded in a book. Fully aware of this, believers evaluate whatever happens to them according to that awareness, seek the beauty in every detail of their predetermined destiny, and thus avoid the error of regretting or being displeased or unhappy. Without exception, believers are pleased with every moment of their life.

If this is not the case, it means that one's faith is not deep enough and that he or she has fallen into idolatry. Although they may say that they have faith in Allah, believe in the Hereafter, and are true Muslims, anyone who is ever displeased is actually failing to live according to the submission commanded in the Qur'an. This failure to comprehend the true meaning of destiny is a sign of covert idolatry.

In other words, a person's feelings or reactions toward events are of great importance. Given this, all people who consider themselves to be true believers must review their whole life, day-to-day mode of living, thoughts, feelings, perspective on life, and, most important of all, their subconscious to see if there is any weakness in their belief.

Idolatry may sometimes be very deep-rooted in a person's life. For example, fear may prevent some people from living by the faith in the very purest manner. In fact, they might become so caught up in serious concerns over the future that they begin to ignore Allah's commands and prohibitions in order to "guarantee their future". Such a course of action involves making "necessary" concessions. Or, they might regard their difficulties as unwelcome and become rebellious. This is where the majority of people forget Allah's infinite might and control and fall into covert idolatry. Forgetting that only Allah creates the future, gives them money and possessions, and eliminates their difficulties, they seek assistance from other entities.

Everyone must strongly avoid such negligent behavior and, if they find themselves in it, abandon it at once. They must consider their situation according to what Allah says in the Qur'an, remember that our Lord's might is sufficient for all things, and understand that He is the sole Lord of every entity and event.

For instance, those who have cancer or are paralyzed in an unexpected motor accident, if they consider themselves to be true and sincere believers, will not grieve or worry. In fact, they will not even complain about these difficulties; rather, they will greet their situation with submission and pleasantness, knowing that this is what Allah has destined for them and that, if they endure it successfully, they will receive an unimaginable reward in the Hereafter. Sincere believers bear all difficulties in a pleasant manner and look for the good and the wisdom in them. They do not do this to console themselves, but because they know that only good will come out of these present difficulties. Aware that Allah has determined their destiny and that everything happens for a reason, they reflect upon their life and have patience and fortitude at all times.

Everyone may experience unexpected events on any given day, such as a great injustice or slander, or a verbal or physical assault. But those who are free of covert or open idolatry never forget their destiny, never fall prey to their emotions or sorrows, and are never troubled. They remember that Allah controls all things and that whatever happens is part of His destiny for them. Therefore, they respond to evil with good, just as Allah commands in the Qur'an.

They may experience events that would alarm unbelievers, and that would be quite natural. However, sincere believers do not feel fear or concern, for they have placed their full trust in Allah. For example, if sincere believers lose their family and possessions in a single moment, they remain fully submitted to Allah even at that very instant. In the face of what unbelievers would consider a disaster, their faith, submission, and trust in Allah does not waver. They will never grieve or give way to pessimism, sorrow, and despair.

People must honestly think about how they would react to such situations and then take precautions so that they will not succumb to covert idolatry. Just thinking that such a little thing will do no harm, regarding ignorant reactions as normal under difficult circumstances, or basing their reactions upon those exhibited by most other people may lead to covert idolatry. Allah reveals in the Qur'an: