English Translation of Al-Quran
[28].Surah Al-Qasas [The Narration]
Ayat 38. Fir’aun (Pharaoh) said: “O chiefs! I know not that you have an ilah (a god) other than me, so kindle for me (a fire), O Haman, to bake (bricks out of) clay, and set up for me a Sarhan (a lofty tower, or palace, etc.) in order that I may look at (or look for) the Ilah (God) of Musa (Moses); and verily, I think that he [Musa (Moses)] is one of the liars.”
Tafseer of Surah Al-Qasas (The Narration) Ayat 38. Pharaoh said: “O Chiefs! No god do I know for you but myself: therefore, O Haman! Light me a (kiln to bake bricks) out of clay, and build me a lofty palace, that I may mount up to the God of Moses: but as far as I am concerned, I think (Moses) is a liar!” Pharaoh claimed, himself, to be God-not only one god among many, but the only god: “I am your Lord Most High”: 79:24. At any rate he did not see why his people should worship anyone but him. I understand his speech to his minister Hainan to be sarcastic. But some Commentators have taken it very seriously and imagined that he actually thought of reaching the heavens by building lofty towers (Cf. 40:36).
English Translation of Hadith
Hazrat Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah [SAWW](PBUH) said, “Almighty Allah says, `I am the One who is most free from want of partners. He who does a thing for the sake of someone else beside Me, I discard him and his polytheism”.
[Muslim Book 042, Chapter 06, Hadith # 7114].
Lesson : as mentioned above in Surah Al-Qasas Ayat 38. “I know not that you have an ilah (a god) other than me” “He who does a thing for the sake of someone else beside Me” here means to do something virtuous for mere show for worldly benefit, or to gain the reputation of being pious. “I discard him and his polytheism” means that “I nullify his good deeds and deprive him of the reward.” In this Hadith any virtue done for the sake of mere show has been likened to Shirk to make its viciousness and harm obvious. However, this is Ash-Shirk Al-Asghar, and those who commit it will not be forbidden access to Jannah. They will, after the punishment in Hell, ultimately enter Jannah. Whereas those who are guilty of Ash-Shirk Al-Akbar and sheer Shirk will abide in Hell forever.