Answer
Short Answer:
- It is true that Islam emphasizes doing good to one’s parents. But at the same time, in a situation where you are compelled to make a choice between the demands of your parents and the commands of God, you need to politely disagree with your parents, and obey God.
- You may try your best to convince your parents why you have chosen to be a Muslim. You should tell them in the gentlest possible manner, that as a follower of Islam, you are not able to indulge in any form of idolatry. You may also invite them to Islam in the most affectionate and appealing terms.
- Yet, if you feel that this may have greater consequences at the moment, it would be better for you not to tell them that you embraced Islam. You can choose the right time to tell your parents about it. This is more relevant to your situation and how your parents might react to this when you tell them that you embraced Islam.
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Salam Dear Vani,
Thank you for your question and for contacting Ask About Islam.
You have said: “I believe in all the Islamic principles but being a Hindu girl I am not able to follow all that.”
Let us try to evaluate this statement of yours, as objectively as possible in the light of the teachings of Islam.
Submission to Allah Alone
Indeed, the first and foremost teaching of Islam is: “There is no one worthy of worship except Allah, the One God, without any partners.”
If you sincerely believe in the above teaching — which is the very foundation of Islam — how can you go to a temple and offer worship to gods other than Allah Almighty?
You claim that even while you are apparently offering worship to the idols in the temple, you are actually offering such worship to the One God.
But you may note that the first creed of Islam is stated in these words: “I bear witness that there is no one worthy of worship but Allah”. The open declaration of this creed is the first pillar of faith and it is a necessary condition for being a Muslim.
However, by going to the temple and offering worship to the idols, you bear witness, for all practical purposes, that the idols, or the gods represented by the idols, are worthy of worship.
This obviously contradicts the most important creed of Islam, undermining your Islam, namely your unconditional submission to Allah Alone.
Polytheism
And even if your offering of worship to the idols is only meant to satisfy your parents, still you are guilty of acting against your faith. But God is Merciful. He will forgive the wrongs we do, especially if we acted helplessly under the force of circumstances. But note what Allah Almighty says about polytheism, that is, the association of partners with Him:
{Surely Allah does not forgive that anything should be associated with Him, and forgives what is besides that to whomsoever.} (Quran 4:48)
The Arabic word shirk is often translated as “idolatry”; and it literally means “partnership” or “association”.
From the Quranic point of view, shirk is associating a thing, person, or concept with God, believing him, her, or it to be equal to God or to possess qualities which only God possesses. If a person loves, worships, or fears someone as God should be loved, worshiped or feared, he or she is then committing shirk.
Read these verses:
{Yet there are men who take (for worship) others besides God, as equal (with God): They love them as they should love God. But those of the faith are overflowing in their love for God. If only the unrighteous could see, behold, they would see the penalty: that to God belongs all power, and God will sternly enforce the penalty.”} (Quran 2:165)
{But it has already been revealed to you, as it was to those who went before you, ‘If you were to associate other gods with God, truly fruitless would your work in life be,’ and you would surely be in the ranks of those who lose all spiritual good.} (Quran 39:65)
Prophet Ibrahim Excellent Model
The above verses clearly show how vehemently Islam objects to polytheism or idolatry. The Quran tells the story of how Prophet Abraham (peace be upon him) demolished the idols made by his own father. God says in the Quran that in Prophet Abraham we have an excellent model to follow.
Allah Almighty says:
{There is for you an excellent example (to follow) in Abraham and those with him, when they said to their people: ‘We are clear of you and of whatever ye worship besides Allah. We have rejected you, and there has arisen, between us and you, enmity and hatred for ever — unless ye believe in Allah and Him alone”} (Quran 60:4)
And again,
{So We have taught you the inspired (Message), “Follow the ways of Abraham the True in Faith, and he joined not gods with Allah.”} (Quran 16:123)
{Say: “Verily, my Lord hath guided me to a way that is straight — a religion of right — the path (trod) by Abraham the true in Faith, and he (certainly) joined not gods with Allah.”} (Quran 6:161)
How to Balance Respect of Parents Vs. your Faith
It is true that Islam emphasizes doing good to one’s parents. But at the same time, in a situation where you are compelled to make a choice between the demands of your parents and the commands of God, you need to politely disagree with your parents, and obey God.
In all things — except in the matter of obedience to God’s commandments — kindness to your parents come first. God is the One Who created you and your parents, and your first duty is naturally to God alone. This is the Islamic point of view.
You may know that Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) started preaching Islam to a society that was drown in idolatry. It was for his staunch opposition to idolatry, that he was persecuted and several attempts were made on his life.
Embracing Monotheism
But nothing could stop him from preaching the religion of “tawhid” (i.e. Oneness of God), despite all opposition from his own people.
The example of several Companions of the Prophet teaches us that we need to do good to our parents in all circumstances except when they ask us to do things prohibited by Allah Almighty and His Prophet. In such case your first and foremost commitment is to worship Allah Almighty alone.
The foregoing means that you should explore your options for the best way to deal with your parents in a polite way. You may try your best to convince your parents why you have chosen to be a Muslim.
You should tell them in the gentlest possible manner, that as a follower of Islam, you are not able to indulge in any form of idolatry. You may also invite them to Islam in the most affectionate and appealing terms.
Yet, if you feel that this may have greater consequences at the moment, it would be better for you not to tell them that you embraced Islam. You can choose the right time to tell your parents about it. This is more relevant to your situation and how your parents might react to this when you tell them that you embraced Islam.
And Allah knows best.
I hope this helps. Please keep in touch.
Walaikum Assalam Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatuh.
(From Ask About Islam archives)
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