Subject: [Masjid Tucson] Submission weekly reminder

In the name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful

Peace be upon you,

	The Unforgivable Sin
[Quran 4:116] GOD does not forgive idol worship (if maintained until death),* and He forgives lesser offenses for whomever He wills. Anyone who idolizes any idol beside GOD has strayed far astray.
*4:116 A simple definition of idolatry: Believing that anything beside God can help you.

[Quran 30:31] You shall submit to Him, reverence Him, observe the Contact Prayers (Salat), and―whatever you do―do not ever fall into idol worship.

	Idol Worship Nullifies All Work
[Quran 39:65] It has been revealed to you, and to those before you that if you ever commit idol worship, all your works will be nullified, and you will be with the losers.


Since idol-worship is the only unforgivable offense (Quran 4:48, 4:112) we must run away from it as fast as we can. The Quran cites many examples of the different gods that people worship beside God; they include children (Quran 7:190), religious leaders and scholars (Quran 9:31), property (Quran 18:42), dead saints and prophets (Quran 16:20-21, 35:14, & 46:5-6), and the ego (Quran 25:43, 45:23).

Humans may be unaware they are committing idolatry (Quran 6:22-24). So, we should carefully examine ourselves (Quran 59:18). We pray that God guides us (Quran 1:5-6) and protects us from idol worship (Quran 14:35).


References:
First Pillar of Islam (Submission), https://masjidtucson.org/quran/appendices/appendix13.html (video: https://masjidtucson.org/publications/videos/vid.php?vid=Ia54Hfyclv8)
Idol Worship, https://masjidtucson.org/submission/monotheism/idolworship.html
Unaware of idol worship, https://masjidtucson.org/publications/books/qhi/QURAN_Hadith_Islam_pg54.pdf

Peace.