Deadly Sins In Islam: Understanding The Seven Forbidden Acts

The seven deadly sins in Islam are a set of sins that, according to the Prophet Muhammad, will doom a person to Hell. These sins are: associating others with Allah (shirk); witchcraft; killing a soul whom Allah has forbidden us to kill, except in cases dictated by Islamic law; consuming orphans’ wealth; consuming riba (interest); fleeing from the battlefield; and slandering chaste, innocent women.

Associating others with Allah (Shirk)

Associating others with Allah, or Shirk, is the greatest of all sins in Islam. It is the act of ascribing partners with Allah in worship, and it is strictly forbidden in the Quran. The Quran states:

> "Allah forgives not that partners should be set up with Him, but He forgives anything else, to whom He pleases. To set up partners with Allah is to devise a sin most heinous indeed." (Qur'an 4:48)

Shirk is considered a major sin because it goes against the fundamental Islamic belief in the Oneness of Allah (Tawheed). Allah is seen as the sole creator, and the only one who deserves worship. The Quran and Sunnah indicate that Shirk sometimes puts a person beyond the pale of Islam, and it is said that those who commit Shirk will go to Hell.

The Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said:

> “Would you like me to tell you what is the most serious of sins? That is: shirk to Allah…..” (Hadith)

There are two types of Shirk: major and minor. Major Shirk includes idol worship, worshipping graves, the dead or living people, and seeking help or refuge from anyone other than Allah. Minor Shirk can be hidden and may include trusting in others besides Allah or the Shirk of hypocrites, where someone displays Islam outwardly but conceals their disbelief.

Shirk can also take the form of beliefs, words, or actions. Beliefs such as the idea that someone else has power over the universe alongside Allah, or that someone else must be obeyed absolutely besides Allah, are considered Shirk. Words and actions such as supplicating to someone other than Allah, making fun of religion, or sacrificing or praying to something other than Allah, are also considered Shirk.

Witchcraft

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) warned about fortune-tellers, saying that whoever goes to one and asks them something, their prayers will not be accepted for forty days. He also said that those who practice magic will not have their prayers accepted or their sins forgiven.

Practising magic is a sin even if it is done by someone else on your behalf. However, committing such acts of witchcraft does not take one outside of the fold of Islam if one is truly repentant. Allah's Messenger said that Allah may forgive every sin, except in the case of one who dies a polytheist.

Murder

> "Avoid the seven sins that doom a person to Hell."

> "We ordained therein for them: 'Life for life, eye for eye, nose for nose, ear for ear, tooth for tooth, and wounds, equal for equal.' But if any one remits the retaliation by way of charity, it is an act of atonement for him. And if anyone fails to judge by (the light of) what Allah has revealed, they are (no better than) wrong-doers." (Qur'an 5:45)

The Quran also states:

> "And whoever kills a believer intentionally, his recompense is Hell, to abide therein forever; and the Wrath and the Curse of Allah are upon him, and a great punishment is prepared for him." (Qur'an 4:93)

This verse highlights the severity of murder, particularly when the victim is a believer. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) emphasised the importance of not shedding blood that it is forbidden to shed.

> "Say: 'O My slaves who have transgressed against themselves (by committing evil deeds and sins)! Despair not of the Mercy of Allah, verily, Allah forgives all sins. Truly, He is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.'" (Qur'an 39:53)

Regarding the rights of the victim, since the victim is not alive to put things right with them, the matter must wait until the Day of Resurrection, when the victim's next of kin can choose to exact vengeance, accept blood money, or forgive the murderer.

Consuming Riba (usury or interest)

In Islam, the consumption of Riba, which can be translated as usury or interest, is considered one of the deadliest sins. It is deemed a major sin in the Quran and the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), and its prohibition is unequivocally established. Riba is not only prohibited but also strongly condemned and warned against in Islamic teachings.

Allah, in the Quran, has declared war on those who engage in usury, indicating the severity of this sin. In Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 275, Allah says, "Those who consume riba cannot stand except as stands one whom the Devil has driven to madness by his touch. That is because they say, 'Trade is [just] like riba,' whereas Allah has permitted trade and has forbidden riba. So whoever has received an admonition from his Lord and desists may have what is past, and his affair rests with Allah. But whoever returns to [dealing in riba or usury] - those are the companions of the Fire; they will abide eternally therein." This verse clearly highlights the grave consequences of consuming Riba and serves as a stark warning to those who engage in it.

The consumption of Riba is prohibited because it leads to unfair and exploitative practices, benefiting the rich and powerful at the expense of the poor and needy. It fosters a society where wealth accumulates in the hands of a few, creating inequality and injustice. Riba is seen as a form of oppression and a means of exploiting the vulnerable. By prohibiting Riba, Islam promotes a just and equitable economic system that protects the rights and interests of all members of society.

Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) also emphasized the seriousness of consuming Riba. In a well-known hadith, he said, "Cursed is the one who consumes riba, the one who pays it, the one who witnesses it, and the one who records it" (Sahih Muslim). This hadith underscores the involvement of multiple parties in Riba transactions and highlights that all participants are subject to divine punishment. It serves as a clear deterrent and encourages Muslims to distance themselves from any form of usury or interest.

Slandering chaste, innocent women

The Quran says:

> "Lo! As for those who slander virtuous, believing women who are careless, cursed are they in the world and in the hereafter. There will be an awful doom." (An-Nur 24:23)

The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:

> "Avoid the seven sins that doom one to Hell." They said, "O Messenger of Allah, what are they?" He said: "Associating others with Allah (shirk), witchcraft, killing a soul whom Allah has forbidden us to kill, except when it is lawful, consuming riba, consuming the orphan's wealth, running away from the battlefield, and slandering chaste, innocent women who never even think of anything touching their chastity." (Al-Bukhari and Muslim)

The punishment for slandering a chaste, innocent woman is eighty lashes. This is to prevent accusations of immorality, protect people's honour, and prevent the spread of rumours.

The Quran also says:

> "And those who accuse chaste women, and produce not four witnesses, flog them with eighty stripes, and reject their testimony forever. They indeed are the Fasiqun (liars, rebellious, disobedient to Allah)." (An-Nur 24:4)

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