Understanding Sins In Islam: A Guide To Transgression

Sin is a significant concept in Islamic ethics, referring to any act that goes against God's commands or breaches religious laws and norms. While Islam acknowledges minor sins, there are also major sins (al-Kaba'ir) that are considered more spiritually harmful and punishable. These major sins are outlined in the Quran and the sayings of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), providing Muslims with a clear framework for moral conduct and a path towards salvation in the afterlife.

Major sins (al-Kaba'ir)

In Islam, a sin is considered an act and not a state of being. It is believed that on the Day of Judgement, God will weigh an individual's good deeds against their sins and punish those whose evil deeds outweigh the good. The Quran makes a clear distinction between major sins (al-Kabair) and minor sins (al-Sagha'ir), indicating that individuals who stay away from the former will be forgiven for the latter.

The major sins, or al-Kabair, are considered the gravest offences to God. While there is some variation in the number of major sins depending on the source, there are several that are consistently mentioned. These include:

• Shirk – associating anything with Allah.
• Murder – killing someone unlawfully.
• Witchcraft or sorcery – practising magic.
• Not performing the prayer or abandoning salah (ritual prayer).
• Not fasting during Ramadan without a valid excuse.
• Not performing Hajj when able to.
• Disrespecting or severing ties with one's parents.
• Adultery, fornication, or sodomy.
• Accepting usurious gain or interest (riba).
• Wrongfully consuming an orphan's property.
• Lying about Allah and His Messenger.
• Fleeing from the battlefield.
• Oppressing or deceiving the people that one rules and being unjust to them.
• Pride, arrogance, conceit, vanity, and haughtiness.
• Bearing false witness.
• Accusing a woman of adultery.
• Misappropriating spoils of war, Muslim funds, or zakat.
• Highway robbery.
• Taking people's property through falsehood.
• Consuming haram (unlawful wealth).
• Women imitating men and vice versa.
• Marrying solely to return a divorced woman to her previous husband.
• Not freeing oneself of traces of urine or excrement.
• Learning sacred knowledge for the sake of worldly gain or concealing it.
• Reminding recipients of one's charity.
• Disbelieving in destiny.
• Eavesdropping or listening to people's private conversations.
• Tale-bearing or spreading false or questionable stories.
• Believing in or visiting fortune-tellers and astrologers.
• A wife's rebellion or bad conduct towards her husband.
• Lamenting loudly for the dead or tearing one's clothes when afflicted with adversity.
• Treating others with excess or arrogance.
• Hurting one's neighbour, other Muslims, or the servants of Allah.
• Dragging the hem of one's garment in pride.
• Men wearing silk or gold.
• A slave running away from his master.
• Slaughtering an animal in any name other than Allah's.
• Falsely claiming someone is one's father.
• Arguing, disputing violently, or quarrelling.
• Withholding excess water from others.
• Giving short weight or measure.
• Feeling secure from Allah's plan.
• Offending Allah's righteous friends/servants or pious people.
• Not praying in congregation but praying alone without an excuse.
• Missing Friday prayers without a valid excuse.
• Usurping the rights of the heir through bequests.
• Deception, plotting evil, or spying for the enemy of the Muslims.
• Cursing or insulting any of the Companions of Prophet Muhammad.

Minor sins (al-Sagha'ir)

In Islam, sins are acts that go against the commands of God, breaching the laws and norms laid down by the religion. Sins are divided into major sins (al-Kabirah) and minor sins (al-Sagha'ir). While every sin is seen as an offence to God, minor sins are tacitly understood to be forgiven after repentance.

• Not praying in congregation but praying alone without an excuse
• Persistently missing Friday prayers without an excuse
• Usurping the rights of an heir through bequests
• Deception and plotting evil
• Spying on Muslims and revealing their weaknesses
• Cursing or insulting any of the Companions of Prophet Muhammad
• Believing in fortune-tellers and astrologers
• Behaving badly towards one's husband
• Lamenting, wailing, tearing one's clothing, and other such behaviours when an affliction falls
• Treating others wrongfully
• Treating one's wife, servant, the weak, and animals badly
• Offending one's neighbour
• Offending and abusing Muslims
• Offending people and having an arrogant attitude towards them
• Trailing one's garment in pride
• Wearing silk and gold (for men only)
• Slaughtering an animal that has been dedicated to anyone other than Allah
• To knowingly ascribe one's paternity to a man other than one's biological father
• Arguing and disputing violently
• Withholding excess water
• Giving short weight or measure
• Feeling secure from Allah's plan
• Offending Allah's righteous friends/servants
• Not freeing oneself of traces of urine
• Showing off good work
• Learning sacred knowledge for the sake of worldly gain or concealing it
• Reminding recipients of one's charity
• Disbelieving in destiny
• Listening to people's private conversations
• Being a talebearer who stirs up enmity between people
• Breaking one's promise or pledge
• A wife's rebellion against her husband
• Loudly lamenting for the dead or when afflicted with adversity
• Excess against others
• Overburdening and arrogance against others
• Hurting one's neighbour
• Hurting or reviling Muslims
• Harming the servants of Allah

It is important to note that the distinction between major and minor sins is not always clear, and some sources may classify certain acts differently.

Sins requiring capital punishment

Islam recognises two types of sin: al-Kabirah (major sins) and al-Sagha'ir (minor sins). According to the Quran, if an individual stays away from the major sins, they will be forgiven for the minor sins.

Islamic law (sharia) permits capital punishment for certain crimes, which are considered to be the most severe offences. These include:

Murder

Murder is considered one of the most heinous sins in Islam and is punishable by death. In cases of intentional murder, the victim's family is given the option to decide whether or not to impose this punishment.

Adultery

Adultery is another major sin in Islam that can result in capital punishment. The punishment for a married person who commits adultery is stoning to death.

Apostasy

Apostasy, or leaving the Islamic faith, is considered a serious offence punishable by death. This includes converting to another religion or becoming an atheist.

Waging war against Allah and His Messenger

This category includes bandits or those who commit mischief in the land, threatening to undermine authority or destabilise the state. The punishment for such crimes is death, crucifixion, or the cutting off of hands and feet.

Homosexuality

Homosexuality is prohibited in Islam and is considered a sin that requires capital punishment.

Other crimes

Other crimes that may result in capital punishment under Islamic law include rape, witchcraft, publishing pornography, and spying.

Cursed sins

In Islam, sins are acts that go against the commands of God, breaching the laws and norms laid down by the religion. Sins are broadly classified into major sins (al-Kabirah) and minor sins (al-Sagha'ir). The Quran describes these sins throughout its texts, demonstrating that some sins are more punishable than others.

Consuming Riba (usury or interest)

Consuming Riba is considered a grave sin, punishable by Allah. It is a type of major sin that results in a curse, which means being cast far away from the mercy of Allah.

Drinking Alcohol

Drinking alcohol is another example of a cursed sin. It is a major sin that, if not repented, can result in punishment in Hell. However, if a person repents and is sincere in their regret, Allah will accept their repentance.

Reviling Parents

Disrespecting or reviling one's parents is a serious action that incurs the wrath or curse of Allah. It is considered a major sin, but it does not take a person beyond the pale of Islam. Repentance and forgiveness are still possible through Allah's grace and kindness.

Other Cursed Sins

Other examples of cursed sins include:

• Committing murder
• Practising magic or sorcery
• Not performing prayers or fasting during Ramadan without a valid excuse
• Not performing Hajj when able
• Accusing a chaste woman of adultery
• Stealing or misappropriating spoils of war, Muslim funds, or Zakat
• Oppressing or mistreating others, including neighbours, Muslims, and animals
• Wearing silk or gold for men
• Slaughtering an animal in the name of anyone other than Allah
• Arguing, quarrelling, and disputing violently
• Feeling secure from Allah's devising
• Offending Allah's righteous servants or companions of the Prophet
• Spying on Muslims and revealing their weaknesses

Sins against God

The Quran describes these sins throughout its texts and demonstrates that some sins are more punishable than others. A clear distinction is made between major sins (al-Kabirah) and minor sins (al-Sagha'ir). Sources differ on the exact meanings of the different terms for sin used in the Islamic tradition. However, it is understood that committing major sins will result in punishment, while minor sins can be forgiven through God's mercy and repentance.

• Shirk: Associating partners with God or revering anything else besides God. This is considered the worst sin and is unforgivable if not repented for.
• Witchcraft and sorcery: Practising magic or seeking supernatural powers is seen as an offence against God as it challenges God's power.
• Killing a soul: Taking a life is believed to be a gift from God, and murder is considered a severe spiritual offence.
• Riba: Consuming interest or usury is prohibited in Islam and is considered a major sin.
• Consuming an orphan's property: Wrongfully taking the wealth of an orphan is a serious offence, as orphans are considered weak and in need of protection.
• Lying about God and His Messenger: False accusations or bearing false witness against God or the Prophet Muhammad are considered grave sins.
• Running away from the battlefield: Fleeing during battle is a major sin, as it is seen as deserting one's brothers and putting them in danger.
• Pride and arrogance: Having an arrogant attitude or feeling superior to others is considered an offence against God.
• Not performing religious duties: Abandoning salah (ritual prayer), not fasting during Ramadan, and not performing Hajj are all considered major sins, as they go against God's commands.

These are just a few examples of the major sins that are considered offences against God in Islam. It is important to note that the concept of sin in Islam is complex and nuanced, with different interpretations and categorisations existing within the faith.

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