Shirk and Modern Idolatry: The Core Teachings of Islam and Deified Figures

According to the fundamental teachings of Islam, ایمان (faith) in God and worship directed solely to Him must stand at the very center of a believer’s life. However, throughout history, people have, for various reasons, deified beings other than God, sanctified them, and even bowed before them. In Islam, this is called shirk, and it is considered the gravest sin.
In Surah Nuh (71:23), a powerful warning is given by referencing the names that the people of Prophet Noah had turned into idols:
> “And they said: ‘Do not abandon your gods; do not abandon Wadd, nor Suwaʿ, nor Yaghuth, nor Yaʿuq, nor Nasr.’”
These five names represent figures that had been sanctified and elevated to divine status by their المجتمع (society). They were not originally divine, but were turned into idols by people—illustrating the roots and dangers of shirk.
Islam teaches that revelation (wahy) encompasses all aspects of human life and calls people to direct themselves solely to God. Prophet Noah invited his people only to believe in God and did not elevate himself or anyone else to a divine status. However, the polytheists resisted this call and instead defended their constructed idols.
One of the defining traits of polytheistic societies is their tendency to understand life not through divine principles, but by idolizing individuals and their attributes. A similar pattern can be observed today. In modern societies—especially among traditionalist circles—certain individuals or groups become unquestionable. Their ideas, actions, and teachings are accepted without scrutiny, even when they contradict revelation.
These deified figures may include religious scholars, sect leaders, spiritual guides, commentators, or community authorities. When their views are accepted unquestioningly, even above divine revelation, this becomes a form of modern idolatry.
In such systems, people defend these figures at all costs and resist any criticism directed toward them. However, a true believer evaluates every individual and every idea through the معيار (criterion) of the Qur’an, openly addressing errors when they arise.
In pre-Islamic societies, beliefs often required the approval of idols to be considered valid. This mentality is reflected in the statement of Pharaoh in Surah Al-A‘raf (7:123):
> “Did you believe in him before I gave you permission?”
Here, Pharaoh positions himself as the authority over belief, implying that faith is only valid through his approval—an example of human authority being elevated to a divine level.
Such societies, having abandoned revelation, lose the ability to evaluate ideas and individuals according to divine guidance. Instead, they act based on inherited assumptions and hearsay. Similarly today, many who identify as Muslims may unknowingly adopt جاهلية (ignorant, pre-revelation) patterns by elevating certain figures to unquestionable status.
Revelation, however, is free from the concern of glorifying individuals. True believers evaluate historical figures, traditions, and inherited ideas through the lens of the Qur’an—accepting what aligns with it and rejecting what does not.
Prophet Abraham serves as a key example: he openly criticized the idols of his people, which provoked strong backlash. Likewise, those who adhere to the pure teachings of Islam today may critique modern “idols” and those who defend them.
At this point, those who truly understand the essence of religion do not blindly defend or elevate any figure—whether ancient idols like Wadd and Suwaʿ or modern authorities. Loving, defending, or absolutizing such figures in a way that competes with devotion to God contradicts true faith.
Even today, many people believe they understand Islam correctly while unknowingly idolizing certain religious personalities. These figures, much like idols of the past, become beyond question. Criticizing them becomes nearly impossible—this is a contemporary form of idolatry.
Just as Abraham criticized the idols of his people, Muslims today can evaluate and critique such figures according to the Qur’an and the core teachings of Islam. Unfortunately, such criticism is often not welcomed, as people tend to defend their revered figures and overlook their flaws.
Revelation was sent to guide humanity to the truth. Belief in God and worship directed solely to Him is the most fundamental responsibility of a Muslim. People are free to question historical figures and teachings—but this questioning must be grounded in divine revelation.
Idolization—whether in the past or present—has never been a correct approach. A true believer recognizes that everything belongs to God and distances themselves from all forms of idolatry. By believing in God alone, one finds the right path and lives accordingly.