[46]. Surah Al-Ahqaf [The Curved Sand Hills]: Ayat 004

৪. বলুন, তোমরা আল্লাহ ব্যতীত যাদের পূজা কর, তাদের বিষয়ে ভেবে দেখেছ কি?  দেখাও আমাকে তারা পৃথিবীতে কি সৃষ্টি করেছে? অথবা নভোমন্ডল সৃজনে তাদের কি কোন অংশ আছে? এর পূর্ববর্তী কোন কিতাব অথবা পরস্পরাগত কোন জ্ঞান আমার কাছে উপস্থিত কর, যদি তোমরা সত্যবাদী হও।

Ayat 4. Say (O Muhammad  [SAWW](PBUH) to these pagans): "Think! All that you invoke besides Allah show me! What have they created of the earth? Or have they a share in (the creation of) the heavens? Bring me a Book (revealed before this), or some trace of knowledge (in support of your claims), if you are truthful!"

Tafseer of Surah Al-Ahqaf Ayat 4. Say: "Do ye see what it is ye invoke besides Allah. Show me what it is they have created on earth, or have they a share in the heavens bring me a Book (revealed) before this, or any remnant of knowledge (ye may have), if ye are telling the truth! Some people may rush thoughtlessly into false worship, because it is the fashion or an ancestral custom, etc. They are asked to pause and see for themselves. Have the false gods or falsehood created anything? (They destroy much). Or have they any share or lot in the things we associate with the heavens spiritual well-being, etc.? Or is there any warrant for you from any earlier revelation, assuming that you do not believe in this Revelation? Or can you point to the least scrap or remnant of real knowledge on which you can base what we condemn as your false life? No, you cannot.

Hazrat Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah [SAWW](PBUH) said,  "Almighty Allah says, `I am the One Who is most free from want of partners. He who does a thing for the sake of someone else beside Me, I discard him and his polytheism..'' [Muslim Book 042, Chapter 06, Hadith # 7114].

Lesson: as mentioned above in Surah Al-Ahqaf Ayat 04. you invoke besides Allah show me! What have they created of the earth?” "He who does a thing for the sake of someone else beside Me'' here means to do something virtuous for mere show for worldly benefit, or to gain the reputation of being pious. "I discard him and his polytheism'' means that "I nullify his good deeds and deprive him of the reward.'' In this Hadith any virtue done for the sake of mere show has been likened to Shirk to make its viciousness and harm obvious. However, this is Ash-Shirk Al-Asghar, and those who commit it will not be forbidden access to Jannah. They will, after the punishment in Hell, ultimately enter Jannah. Whereas, those who are guilty of Ash-Shirk Al-Akbar and sheer Shirk will abide in Hell forever.