Unforgivable Sins In Islam: What You Need To Know

Islam is often referred to as a religion of forgiveness, and it is believed that Allah forgives all sins, no matter how great or how many, for those who repent. However, there are some sins that are considered major sins, and a few that are thought to be unforgivable. These include shirk (ascribing partners or associates to God), kufr, and killing a Muslim without the right to do so. Other major sins include witchcraft, consuming orphans' wealth, consuming riba, fleeing from the battlefield, and slandering chaste, innocent women.

Associating others with Allah (shirk)

Shirk, or associating others with Allah, is one of the seven major sins in Islam that cannot be forgiven. It is considered a grave sin and is mentioned in the Quran as the only sin that Allah does not forgive. The Quranic verse [Quran 2:165] states: "And of mankind are some who take (for worship) others besides Allah as rivals. They love them as they love Allah."

Shirk involves attributing divine qualities to others besides Allah and can be committed in various ways. One form of shirk is idol worship, where individuals worship idols, graves, the dead, or even living people as intermediaries between themselves and Allah. This includes the belief that there is another creator, provider, or controller of the universe alongside Allah. It also includes the belief that there is someone else who must be absolutely obeyed, loved, or venerated as much as Allah.

Another form of shirk is when individuals put their trust in someone or something other than Allah, such as seeking help or refuge from entities or individuals other than Allah in matters that only He has control over. This can include supplicating to prophets, righteous people, angels, or jinns, believing that they can intercede on their behalf. Additionally, claiming to know the unseen (Ghayb) or practising fortune-telling is also considered shirk, as it implies knowledge that only Allah possesses.

Shirk can also be committed through actions such as sacrificing, praying, or prostrating to something other than Allah, or by promulgating laws that replace the rulings of Allah. Supporting disbelievers against believers and going against the basic tenets of faith are also considered forms of shirk. Furthermore, likening Allah to His creation, making fun of religion, or anthropomorphizing Allah are all acts of shirk.

It is important to note that while shirk is considered a grave sin, Allah may forgive it if sincere repentance is made before death. However, committing sins against other people, such as slandering chaste women or killing a soul that Allah has forbidden us to kill, are considered unforgivable.

Witchcraft

The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) warned Muslims to avoid the seven major sins, including witchcraft, as they doom a person to Hell. However, Islam also emphasizes that Allah is merciful and forgiving, and with sincere repentance, even major sins can be forgiven. As long as a person repents and turns to Allah, there is hope for forgiveness and purification from their sins.

While the majority of scholars agree that sincere repentance can lead to the forgiveness of major sins, there is a difference of opinion regarding certain sins, such as killing a Muslim without right. Some scholars believe that even this sin can be forgiven with sincere repentance, while others argue that it is left to Allah's will to forgive or not.

In conclusion, witchcraft is a major sin in Islam that can lead to severe consequences in the afterlife. However, Islam also teaches that Allah is forgiving and merciful, and sincere repentance can lead to the forgiveness of even the gravest of sins, except for shirk, which is considered the only unforgivable sin by some sources.

Killing a Muslim without right

Killing a Muslim without the right to do so is considered one of the seven major sins in Islam. The Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said:

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

These seven major sins, as narrated by al-Bukhari and Muslim in as-Sahihayn, include:

• 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
• Fleeing from the battlefield
• Slandering chaste, innocent women

Killing a Muslim without justification is a grave sin that cannot be forgiven by Allah. It is considered an act of evil and is prohibited in Islam. The Quran emphasizes the security of life as a fundamental human right, and any unjust taking of life, including state-sanctioned murders, is deemed a heinous crime.

Islamic law dictates specific circumstances under which killing is permissible. For example, Islamic law allows for the execution of an adulterer, a person who kills another of equal standing, or a criminal guilty of banditry and endangering travellers. These exceptions are outlined in Islamic teachings and are the only scenarios in which taking a life is not considered a sin.

It is important to note that the concept of killing a Muslim without the right to do so is not solely limited to physical death but also extends to harming or endangering a Muslim's life. The Prophet's teachings promote the protection of Muslims' lives, honour, respect, and chastity. Therefore, any violation of these principles, whether through physical harm or other means, is considered a sin in Islam.

Consuming orphans' wealth

Consuming an orphan's wealth is considered one of the seven major sins in Islam, and it is a grave offence that can lead to severe consequences in the afterlife. This sin is committed when someone illegally or unjustly takes or appropriates the property or wealth of an orphan for their own benefit without intending to return it. The Quranic verse of Surah an-Nisa' states that oppressing an orphan is a "Greater Sin", and it will result in punishment in the Hereafter, which is described as the "fire of Hell".

The consumption of an orphan's wealth is strictly forbidden in Islam, and it is considered a serious violation of the rights of the orphan. The Quran provides guidance on how to interact with orphans and their property, instructing Muslims to "come not nigh to the orphan's property except to improve it, until he attains the age of full strength" (Al-Imran: 152). This means that it is permissible to use the orphan's wealth for their upkeep, but only with the intention of improving their well-being and only until they reach puberty or maturity.

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) also emphasised the importance of treating orphans with kindness and respect. In a narration, he stated that those who unjustly consume the property of orphans will be resurrected on the Day of Judgement with flames of fire protruding from their mouths, noses, and ears. This imagery highlights the severity of the sin and the punishment that awaits those who commit it.

It is important to note that there are circumstances in which a guardian or caretaker of an orphan may use the orphan's wealth for their own sustenance. If a guardian is poor and has no other means of income, they are permitted to utilise the orphan's wealth reasonably and without extravagance. However, they should still intend to return it if their financial situation improves. Additionally, the labour and work involved in caring for an orphan may also be considered when taking from their wealth, as long as it is done reasonably and in the orphan's best interests.

In conclusion, consuming an orphan's wealth is a major sin in Islam, and it carries severe consequences in the afterlife. It is essential for Muslims to respect the property rights of orphans and to ensure that any use of their wealth is solely for the benefit of the orphan and with the intention of improving their well-being. By doing so, Muslims can avoid committing this grave sin and seek the pleasure of Allah through their compassionate treatment of orphans.

Consuming riba

The Prophet Muhammad, in his Farewell Address, emphasised the severity of riba, stating that even a single coin of riba knowingly received is worse than committing adultery thirty-six times. The consumption of riba is said to be punishable in the afterlife, where those who engaged in it will be recognisable by their madness and inability to rise swiftly from their graves.

There are two types of riba: riba nasiah and riba fadl. Riba nasiah refers to the selling of goods with the payment of a higher value to be made at a later date, for example, selling a quantity of wheat for double the amount of a different grain to be paid after a couple of days. Riba fadl, on the other hand, involves selling something for more of the same type or commodity, such as exchanging one coin for two coins of the same value.

The prohibition of riba has posed challenges for the Muslim world, particularly with the integration of Muslim states into the global economy. In the 1960s and 1970s, there was a loosening of economic policies, allowing for some relaxation of the ban on lending with interest. However, this was short-lived, and the total ban on lending with interest was reactivated in the 1970s. To comply with religious principles, Islamic banks have adopted profit-sharing structures, such as Murabaha or cost-plus financing, where markup takes the place of interest.

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