Shirk

Arabic word meaning associating something with Allah Subhana wa Ta'ala ("Glorified and Exalted be He"), i.e., worshipping other than God alone or polytheism. This is the only sin, if not repented from prior to death, which God has said is unforgivable. From the Qur'an:

Surely, Allah does not forgive associating anything with Him, and He forgives whatever is other than that to whomever He wills. (al-Nisa 4:48 and 116)

One who commits this sin is a mushrik.

The paramount duty of the sincere worshipper is not ascribing any partners to God. This includes acribing to him a child or a mate.

Shirk (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Shirked (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Shirking.] [Probably the same word as shark. See Shark, v. t.]

1.

To procure by petty fraud and trickery; to obtain by mean solicitation.

You that never heard the call of any vocation, . . . that shirk living from others, but time from Yourselves. Bp. Rainbow.

2.

To avoid; to escape; to neglect; -- implying unfaithfulness or fraud; as, to shirk duty.

The usual makeshift by which they try to shirk difficulties. Hare.

 

© Webster 1913.

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Shirk, v. i.

1.

To live by shifts and fraud; to shark.

2.

To evade an obligation; to avoid the performance of duty, as by running away.

One of the cities shirked from the league. Byron.

 

© Webster 1913.

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Shirk, n.

One who lives by shifts and tricks; one who avoids the performance of duty or labor.

 

© Webster 1913.