The Relationship between the Two Terms Shukr and Shirk in the Holy Qur an

Shukr (giving thanks) and shirk (ascribing partners to God) are two of the most frequently used terms in the Qur’an. At the first glance, these two have only a contrasting relation of an opposition type between good and evil. However, a study of the verses of the Holy Qur’an shows that these two concepts have other relations, as well. Conducting a comparative study of the two concepts of shukr and shirk, the present research attempts to further elucidate their relations. To this end, after describing and analyzing the verses concerning the two concepts, it is concluded that the conceptual contrasting of shukr and shirk is in such a way that shirk can be substituted with the negative of its opposite (non-gratitude); that is, where the verse is implied as mentioning “you do not give thanks”, it is substituted with “you practice shirk” and vice versa. Furthermore, the negative-affirmative relationship between the causes and preventers of shukr and shirk are to such an extent that the causes of shukr have been introduced as preventers of shirk. In conclusion, it is to be said that according to the verses of the Qur’an, so long as man commits shirk, the real shukr, which is the same as monotheism, would not actualize.