WHO IS A LOSER?

 FAJR REMINDER: WHO IS A LOSER?

By: Umm Affān

Dhū al-Qa'dah 2, 1447 (20-April-2026)

Who is truly a loser? Without doubt, the real loser is the one who loses Jannah (Paradise). The greatest loss a person can ever suffer is to be deprived of Paradise forever, and the only sin that causes this complete and eternal loss—without ever entering Jannah—is Shirk. This is a matter every Muslim must understand clearly: whoever dies upon Shirk has no share in Jannah.

Some Muslims may be punished in Hell because of their other sins, but they will eventually be taken out because they died upon Eemān. However, this is not the case for the Mushrikūn (polytheists), for they will remain in Hell forever. Allāh says: “Verily, whoever commits Shirk with Allāh, then Allāh has forbidden Paradise for him, and the Fire will be his abode. And for the Ẓālimūn (polytheists and wrongdoers) there are no helpers.” [Sūrah Al-Mā’idah (5): 72]

So, what exactly is Shirk? Shirk means associating partners with Allāh in His Lordship, Worship, and His Names and Attributes. It is giving the Rights of Allāh to someone or something besides Him. For example, supplication is an act of worship that belongs only to Allāh. When Prophet Ibrāhīm (‘Alayhi Salām) wanted a child, he supplicated: “My Lord! Grant me (offspring) from the righteous.” [Sūrah Aṣ-Ṣāffāt (37): 100] Therefore, whoever calls upon other than Allāh for matters that only He can grant—such as healing, protection, provision, children, and the like—has fallen into Shirk. No ritual, sacrifice, or blood offering can bring benefit if Allāh has not willed it.

If a person dies while giving the Rights of Allāh to others, or while believing that another power is equal to or greater than the Power of Allāh, then Jannah becomes forbidden for such a person. This is the Judgment of Allāh, and it is not a matter for argument or personal opinion. Likewise, it becomes impermissible to seek Allāh’s Forgiveness for such a person after it is clear that he died upon Shirk. 

This is an important matter, and some of the ‘Ulamā’ need to be cautious about it—rushing to attend the funeral of a Mushrik while convincing themselves that he died as a Muslim. In many cases, worldly gain is the hidden motive. Fear Allāh! Our Lord says: “It’s not (proper) for the Prophet and those who believe to ask Allāh’s Forgiveness for the Mushrikūn (polytheists, idolaters, pagans, disbelievers in the Oneness of Allāh) even if they be of kin, after it has become clear to them that they are the dwellers of the Fire (because they died in a state of disbelief).” [Sūrah At-Tawbah (9): 113]

Among the acts of Shirk that lead a person to Hell are sacrificing for other than Allāh, making lawful what Allāh has forbidden, practicing magic, fortune-telling, divination, astrology, belief in the influence of stars, and believing that objects such as amulets can independently bring benefit or prevent harm. These are dangerous matters that destroy one’s chance of entering Jannah. Since our goal is Paradise, we must never allow anything to endanger it.

I beseech Allāh to grant us Jannah and protect us from Hellfire. Aameen.