Basic
Social Conduct
Surah: Luqman (13)
O My Son Do Not Associate With Allah — Polytheism Is a Great Injustice
يَٰبُنَيَّ لَا تُشۡرِكۡ بِٱللَّهِ إِنَّ ٱلشِّرۡكَ لَظُلۡمٌ عَظِيمٌ
— لقمان الآية 13
Verse: "O my son, do not associate partners with Allah — polytheism is a great injustice." (31:13) — "O my son" — the parental educational address with diminutive affection. First advice: monotheism. Educational sequence: begin with the most important. Then "polytheism is a great injustice" — not "a great sin" or "great disobedience" but "injustice." Shirk is injustice because it places a right in the wrong place — giving worship to one undeserving of it. Luqman's ten advices (13-19): monotheism, honoring parents, certainty in Allah, establishing prayer, commanding good and forbidding evil, patience, humility, moderate walking, lowering voice. Comprehensive upbringing from a wise father. Lesson: monotheism is the first advice a righteous father gives his child.
Source: Ibn Kathir (6/330); Al-Sadi
Test Yourself
Why did Luqman describe polytheism specifically as "injustice" rather than sin or disobedience?
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