means to polytheism (ذَرَائِعُ الشِّرْك)
العقيدة
التعريف :
The ways, means and causes leading to polytheism even though they are not part of it.
المعنى الاصطلاحي :
The means that lead to committing "shirk" (associating partners with Allah in worship).
الشرح المختصر :
"Dharā’i‘ ash-shirk" (means to polytheism) are the means that lead people to commit "shirk"; i.e. to worship others besides Allah and to associate partners with Him, whether it is major or minor "shirk". Some of these means are lawful in principle, such as slaughtering sacrificial animals and traveling (to visit certain places). Others are unlawful in principle, such as building on graves. "Dharā’i‘ ash-shirk" are of two types: 1. Physical, such as building on top of a grave, decorating it, and slaughtering a sacrificial animal at it; seeking blessings from the pious people; making frequent visits to historical sites; etc. 2. Non-physical, such as exaggerated praise of human beings and sanctifying them, swearing by other than Allah, and saying: "What Allah wills and so-and-so wills."