The Followers of Pharaoh Were Worse Than Polytheists | Explained by Shaykh Sālih al-Fawzān

The Followers of Pharaoh Were Worse

Than Polytheists 

Explained by Shaykh Sālih al-Fawzān

Question: Are the followers of Pharaoh considered polytheists with regards to the Lordship of Allāh because they followed Pharaoh in his claim that he was the Lord?

Shaykh al-Fawzān: They were Mu’attilah (those who deny the existence of a Creator), they were not polytheists. They were Mu’attliah. They did not affirm the existence of the Lord. Pharaoh said:

"I am your lord, most high"
(sūrah an-Nāzi`āt 79:24)

Pharaoh said:
I have not known you to have a god other than me.
(sūrah al-Qaşaş 28:38)

He denied the existence of Allāh the Exalted and they believe him in his denial. Thus they became those who deny the existence of the Lord.

All atheists are like this; those who do not affirm the existence of Allāh. And they say everything comes from nature. They say nature is what brings everything into existence.

And they say, "There is not but our worldly life; we die and live, and nothing destroys us except time."
(sūrah al-Jāthiyah 45:24)

They don’t attribute these matters to Allāh the Exalted. These people are called atheists. They are not polytheists. They are those who deny the existence of the Creator. The polytheists are better than them because the polytheists affirm the existence of Allāh but they worship others along with Him. As for atheists, they do not acknowledge the existence of Allāh. And how many of these people are present today!

Translated by Rasheed ibn Estes Barbee

Taken from mtws - http://mtws.posthaven.com/the-followers-of-pharaoh-were-worse-than-polytheists