A Discussion of the Narrations

The Criterion for Going to Paradise and Hell

Zurāra said: I wrote to Abū ʿAbd Allāh with some of our companions about what people narrate from the Prophet that: “Whoever associates partners with God, the Fire becomes obligatory for him; and whoever does not associate partners with God, Paradise becomes obligatory for him.” He said: As for whoever associates partners with God, this is manifest polytheism (shirk), and it is the word of God: “Whoever associates partners with God, God has forbidden Paradise for him.” As for his saying: “Whoever does not associate partners with God, Paradise becomes obligatory for him,” Abū ʿAbd Allāh said: Here is the consideration - it is whoever does not disobey God.(18)

Reference: Based on this narration, disobedience to God is hidden polytheism (shirk khafī). The explanation is that if an act is oppression or evil according to rational proof or reliable textual evidence, it is a sin, and if the one who performs it has no rational or textual excuse,(19) the prohibition of that act is actualized (munajjaz) and actual, and he will be a sinner. The rational analysis of such a transgressor’s action is that through his deed he says to God: “In Your view this act should not be performed, but in my view it should be performed.” This is the same arrogant statement of the disbelieving Satan who said to God: although You commanded prostration, in my view I should not prostrate to Adam, because I am better than him: “I am better than him.”(20) With this rational analysis, within every intentional sin lies hidden polytheism.