Monotheism vs Polytheism

MONOTHEISM VS POLYTHEISM Monotheism (tawheed) means making God one’s sole concern in every aspect, while polytheism (shirk) entails associating anyone or anything with God. C hapter 2 of the Quran states: “Yet some set up equals with God and adore them with the adoration due to God, but those who believe love God most. If only the wrongdoers could see—as they will see when they face the punishment—that all power belongs to God and that God is severe in punishment.” (2:165) According to this verse, shirk (associating partners with God) is the act of equating others with God, either wholly or partially. It involves giving the adoration and worship that is reserved for God alone to someone or something else. Even if a person attributes such a status to oneself, he commits polytheism (45:23). In other words, monotheism (tawheed) means making God the sole focus and concern in every aspect, while polytheism (shirk) entails associating anyone or anything with God, whether partially or completely.