English Translation of Al-Quran
[39].Surah Al-Zumar [The Groups]
Ayat 43. Have they taken others as intercessors besides Allah? Say: “Even if they have power over nothing whatever and have no intelligence?”
Tafseer of Surah Al Zumar Ayat 43. What! Do they take for intercessors others besides Allah. Say: “Even if they have no power whatever and no intelligence?” Let alone worship, men should not rely upon any power or person other than Allah to help them out or intercede for them. When it is idols, they are poor lifeless things which obviously have neither power nor intelligence. But even prophets or saints or heroes have no power to intercede except as Allah wills and permits.
English Translation of Hadith
Hazrat Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah ﷺ [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-Zumar Ayat 43. Have they taken others as intercessors besides Allah?” 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.
