Can I Be A Pagan Muslim?
Answered by Shaykh Abdul-Rahim Reasat
Question
I am a born and raised Muslim, and I do believe in Islam, but I also believe in the force of energy, and a sanctity in nature. I don’t believe in the Pagan gods or goddesses, but I do enjoy the idea of connecting to my femininity and honoring nature, equality, and the physical world through ritual. I also feel that through worshipping God’s creations and honoring them, I am worshipping God as I know that they are his creations.
Answer
I pray you are well.
No, it is not possible to worship anything besides God and remain a Muslim. Religion is God’s domain. He delineates what is right and wrong, acceptable and unacceptable, belief and disbelief. He is the ultimate King, and He alone deserves worship.
Why Only Allah Deserves Our Worship
The natural world, with all its complexities and intricacies, is a manifestation of Allah’s power and perfection. It is a sign, that is meant to lead us to Allah. It does not deserve worship. Nothing besides Allah deserves worship.
Feel free to connect with nature and the outdoors, but see them, and everything else, as the slaves of Allah. Honouring these things can only truly occur through being in harmony with their purpose and yours: to be a true, devoted servant of God.
Worshipping anything besides God automatically entails disbelief in God. Isn’t He the one who created us? Didn’t He shower us with His gifts and blessings? Hasn’t he promised unending happiness unsullied by sadness or pain to those who believe in Him and worship Him on His terms?
The Pagan Arabs
The Pagan Arabs worshipped idols as a means of trying to get closer to Allah. They had no right, basis, or authority to do this. The boundaries of religion are set by Allah.
After heavy rain one night – a natural manifestation of Allah’s power, favour, and mercy – the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) led some of the Companions in the dawn prayer. He said, “Do you know what your Loving Lord said?“ “Allah and His Messenger know best!“ they replied.
He continued, “He said, ‘From My servants, this morning, are those who believe in Me, and those who disbelieve in Me. He who says ‘We were given rain through the generosity and mercy of Allah’ He believes in Me and disbelieves in astrology. As for he who says ‘We were given rain due to the movement of such and such a star’ he disbelieves in Me and believes in Astrology.’” [Bukhari]
This hadith is very clear in showing the problem with the approach you described. Is it really worth risking your Akhira for?
The Correct Approach
It’s best to learn about Islam on its own terms, live it, and connect with the creation of Allah through reflection gratitude to Allah alone.
Honouring Allah’s creation comes through treating them the way the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) did. It does not entail worshipping them. In fact, worshipping them is offensive to Allah. Imagine doing someone many favours then they ignore you publicly and thank someone that has nothing to do with those favours…
I advise you to turn to Allah and to renounce the worship of everything else besides Him. This is where your ultimate good lies. These aspects of nature will not be able to help you on the Day of Judgement.
May Allah guide us all and keep us firm on it. Amin.
[Shaykh] Abdul-Rahim
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
Shaykh Abdul-Rahim Reasat began his studies in Arabic Grammar and Morphology in 2005. After graduating with a degree in English and History he moved to Damascus in 2007 where, for 18 months, he studied with many erudite scholars. In late 2008 he moved to Amman, Jordan, where he continued his studies for the next six years in Sacred Law (fiqh), legal theory (Usul al-fiqh), theology, hadith methodology, hadith commentary, and Logic. He was also given licenses of mastery in the science of Quranic recital and he was able to study an extensive curriculum of Quranic sciences, tafsir, Arabic grammar, and Arabic eloquence.
