shirk

shirk
/sherrk/, v.t.
1. to evade (work, duty, responsibility, etc.).
v.i.
2. to evade work, duty, etc.
n.
3. a shirker.
[1625-35; obscurely akin to SHARK2]
Syn. 1. shun, avoid, dodge.

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In Islam, idolatry and polytheism, both of which are regarded as heretical.

The Qurān stresses that God does not share his powers with any partner (sharik) and warns that those who believe in idols will be harshly dealt with on the Day of Judgment. The concept of shirk has broadened considerably throughout the dogmatic development of Islam, and it has come to be used as the opposite of tawḥīd (the oneness of God). Different grades of shirk have been distinguished by Islamic law; they include the belief in superstition, belief in the power of created things (e.g., reverencing saints), and belief in those who profess to know the future
all of which pale beside polytheism in seriousness.

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▪ Islam
      (Arabic: “making a partner [of someone]”), in Islām, idolatry, polytheism, and the association of God with other deities.

      The Qurʾān (Islāmic scripture) stresses in many verses that God does not share his powers with any partner (sharīk). It warns those who believe their idols will intercede for them that they, together with the idols, will become fuel for hellfire on the Day of Judgment (21:98). The great majority of mushrikūn (polytheists) in the Prophet's time were those who had never become Muslims; thus the words of the Qurʾān were not addressed to Muslims with the intention of keeping them firm in their faith, but rather to the pagan, polytheistic Arabs.

      In fiqh (Islāmic jurisprudence), shirk became legally equivalent to kufr (unbelief ). Those Muslims who profess it are considered outlaws who should be ousted from the Muslim community; all their legal rights are suspended until they denounce their polytheistic beliefs.

      Shirk, however, received considerable extension of meaning throughout the dogmatic development of Islām. It did not remain simply a term for the idolatry prevailing outside Islām but came to be used as the opposite of tawhid (the oneness of God) and became synonymous with any belief or practice rejected by a particular sect.

      Different grades of shirk have been distinguished, apart from pure and blatant polytheism. There is shirk al-ʿādah (“shirk of custom”), which includes all superstitions, such as the belief in omens and the seeking of help from soothsayers. Shirk al-ʿibādah (“shirk of worship”) is manifested in the belief in the powers of created things—e.g., the reverencing of saints, kissing holy stones, and praying at the grave of a holy man. There is shirk al-ʿilm (“shirk of knowledge”)—e.g., to credit anyone, such as astrologers or interpreters of dreams, with knowledge of the future. All of these types of shirk are shirk ṣaghīr (“minor shirk”) in comparison with polytheism.

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Universalium. 2010.

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  • Shirk — (arabe شرك associé) se réfère en islam au seul péché, s il n est pas suivi d un repentir terrestre, impardonnable par Dieu. Il consiste à l association d autres dieux ou d autres êtres à Dieu, en leur accordant l honneur et l adoration qui ne… …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Shirk — Shirk, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Shirked}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Shirking}.] [Probably the same word as shark. See {Shark}, v. t.] 1. To procure by petty fraud and trickery; to obtain by mean solicitation. [1913 Webster] You that never heard the call of… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Shirk — * Shirk , to avoid work or other responsibilities because of laziness * Shirk (Islam), in Islam, the sin of idolatry or associating beings or things with Allah * Shirk break , a synonym for coffee break …   Wikipedia

  • shirk — [ʃə:k US ʃə:rk] v [I and T] [Date: 1600 1700; Origin: Perhaps from German schurke bad man ] to deliberately avoid doing something you should do, because you are lazy ▪ a salesman who was fired for shirking shirk your… …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • shirk — [ ʃɜrk ] verb intransitive or transitive to avoid doing something difficult or avoid accepting responsibility for something: A good manager should never shirk difficult decisions. ╾ shirk|er noun count …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

  • shirk´er — shirk «shurk», verb, noun. –v.t., v.i. to avoid or get out of doing (work or a duty): »He lost his job because he shirked his work. Common men cannot shirk world politics and at the same time enjoy private freedom (H. G. Wells). SYNONYM(S): evade …   Useful english dictionary

  • Shirk — Shirk, v. i. 1. To live by shifts and fraud; to shark. [1913 Webster] 2. To evade an obligation; to avoid the performance of duty, as by running away. [1913 Webster] One of the cities shirked from the league. Byron. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Shirk — Shirk, n. One who lives by shifts and tricks; one who avoids the performance of duty or labor. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • shirk — shirk·er; shirk; …   English syllables

  • shirk — ► VERB ▪ avoid or neglect (a duty or responsibility). DERIVATIVES shirker noun. ORIGIN from obsolete shirk «sponger», perhaps from German Schurke scoundrel …   English terms dictionary

  • shirk — I verb abstain, avoid, cheat, detrectare, dodge, duck, elude, escape from, evade, funk, ignore, keep away from, leave undone, malinger, neglect, quit, refuse, run from, shrink, shun, slink away, stay away, steer clear II index default, disobey,… …   Law dictionary

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