Fatwa ID: 05786

Answered by: Maulana Abrarul H. Hasib

Question:

I know that showing off in worship is minor shirk. But I want to know, whether showing off in worldly matters is minor shirk or just sin? For example, if I show off how well I can fight or if I show off my expensive watch will it be minor shirk or sin? Please give a detailed answer.

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

Answer:

In Islam Shirk technically means: Attributing human beings to any of the exclusive Sifaat (Qualities) of Allah Ta’ala or assigning the qualities of servants such as incapability and deficiencies to Allah Ta’ala.

There are three categories and forms of Shirk:

1] (Shirk Fi Zatihi) Ascribing partners to Allah Ta’ala, e.g. to believe in more than one Lord.

2] (Shirk Fi Sifatihi) Associating human beings to any of the unique Sifaat of Allah Ta’ala such as forgiving sins, providing sustenance, etc.

3] (Shirk Fil Huqooq) The rights which are specifically for Allah Ta’ala, e.g. Worship, Supplication, prostration, sacrifice etc, to perform or carry out any of them for any other creation other than Allah Ta’ala. [1]

Showing off an expensive watch will not be regarded as a minor Shirk. Rather, it is one of the major sins. [2]

Only Allah knows best

Written by Maulana Abrarul H. Hasib

Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah

Darul Ifta Birmingham

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[1] Kitabul Fatawa, Vol. 1, Pg. 280, ZamZam Publishers.

[2] Al-Kaba’ir, Pg. 276, Maktabah Al-Furqan.