Major and minor sins in Islam

In Islam there are major and minor sins which have mentioned in Quran and sunnah.
this is a presentation of what are the major and minor sins of Islam.

1. Major and Minor Sins Tha’leem Academy

2. Islam teaches that God (Allah) has sent guidance to human beings, through His prophets and books of revelation. Believers are expected to follow that guidance to the best of their ability . Islam defines sin as an act which goes against the teachings of Allah. All human beings sin, as none of us is perfect. Islam teaches that Allah, Who created us and all of our imperfections, knows this about us and is All-Forgiving, Merciful, and Compassionate .

3. Once a Sahaba asked prophet(S) What is the definition of a “sin”? The Prophet Muhammad(S)   said: "Righteousness is good character, and sin is that which wavers in your heart and which you do not want people to know about .“ Each one of us must try our level best not to do any sins, and by any chance if we done any sins don’t worry seek forgiveness from Allah. Allah will forgive  for our shortcomings . Allah is prepared to forgive, as the Quran describes: "…Allah will love you and forgive you your sins; for God is Much-Forgiving, a Dispenser of Grace" ( Quran 3:31 ).

4. There are some sins which are extremely serious and are thus known as Major Sins . These are mentioned in the Quran as being worthy of punishment both in this world and the hereafter.  Other missteps are known as Minor Sins ; not because they are insignificant, but rather because they are not mentioned in the Quran as having a legal punishment. These so-called “minor sins” are sometimes overlooked by a believer, who then engages in them to the extent that they become part of their lifestyle .

5. Making a habit of sinning brings a person further away from Allah, and causes them to lose faith. Allah says about such people: “...their hearts have been sealed by the sins they have accumulated” ( Quran 83:14). Allah says: “you counted it a little thing, while with Allah it was very great” (Quran 24:15 ). One who recognizes that he or she is engaging in minor sins must vow to make lifestyle changes. They must recognize the problem, feel remorse, vow not to repeat the mistakes, and seek forgiveness from Allah. Believers who sincerely care about Allah and the hereafter must do their best to avoid both Major and Minor sins .

6. One thing that needs to be kept in mind is any sin, whether minor or major has repercussions on one’s soul. It slowly spoils it, diverting it from the word of Allah and enlightenment pushing it into darkness. This leads to restlessness, depression, and to more sins. Controlling one’s  nafs  is the real challenge for a Muslim in this temporary world . Major sins can potentially land Muslims into hellfire. Whether a Muslim turns to Allah after committing them and whether Allah forgives them, is knowledge not accessible to anyone but Allah only. However, these major sins are unforgivable and often disqualify one from faith.

7. Shirk Shirk in Islam means placing someone equal to that of Allah or in other words, ascribing a partner or rival to Allah in Lordship, worship, or in His names and attributes . There are two types of shirk. Greater shirk. Lesser shirk .

8. Greater shirk nullifies your deeds and lands you in hellfire for all eternity. Allah does not forgive those who commit greater shirk. No one equals to the Almighty and placing anyone or anything besides him in worship or otherwise, is a major sin . Allah says : “ Verily, Allah forgives not that partners should be set up with him in worship, but He forgives except that (anything else) to whom He pleases,”  ( An- Nisa 4:48 )

9. Lesser shirk is that which is talked about in the Sunnah but doesn’t come under the category of greater shirk . The Messenger of Allah (S) said: “The thing that I fear most for you is minor shirk.” They said: “O Messenger of Allah, what is minor shirk?” He said: “Showing off, for Allah will say on the Day when people are recompensed for their actions: ‘Go to those for whom you were showing off with your deeds in the world, and see what reward you find with them.

10. Sihr Allah says:   “So when they threw, they bewitched the eyes of the people ,” (Al- A’raf 7:116 ). Those who indulge in witchcraft and casting spells onto others commit a major sin. Since the process to do so requires belittling the Almighty to please the jinns and the shaitans .

11. Consuming riba Riba means interest or usury. Dealing with it is a major sin and Allah has warned the believers against it . Allah says,  “O you who believe! Fear Allah and give up what remains (due to you) from Riba (from now onward) if you are (really) believers.”  ( Al- Baqarah 2:278 )

12. Snatching the property of an orphan An orphan is any child that has lost his father in his childhood and has yet not reached maturity. Consuming the wealth of an orphan has been classified as major sin , is unjust and unlawful . Allah says:   “Verily, those who unjustly eat up the property of orphans, they eat up only a fire into their bellies, and they will be burnt in the blazing Fire!”  (An-Nisa 4:10 )

13. Accusing pious, believing & chaste women of adultery Allah threatened those who accuse chaste women of adultery to beware as this will ruin their lives and destroy their families. This also affects society and creates a split, spreading disorder. Hence, such heinous accusations degrading the honor of good-believing women will not be tolerated.  Allah says: “And those who accuse chaste women of adultery and then do not produce four witnesses– lash them with eighty lashes and do not accept from them testimony even after. And those are defiantly disobedient. Except for those who repent thereafter and reform, for indeed Allah is forgiving and merciful.”  (An-Nur 24, 2-5 )

14. Taking someone’s life unjustly Murder is a sin in itself. Killing someone unjustly will result in hellfire as the permanent place. Islam strictly prohibits such an act as not only it creates violence, unrest, and disorder in a society; Islam encourages preserving and protecting the blood of Muslim brethren and that of non-Muslims as well . Allah says: “…. Whoever kills a soul unless for a soul or for corruption [done] in the land – it is as if he had slain mankind entirely. And whoever saves one – it is as if he had saved mankind entirely…”  (Quran, 5:32 )

15. Fleeing from the battlefield Another major sin is freeing from the battlefield. Allah and the last Prophet Muhammad SAW warned those who run away at the time of war. Allah says:   “O you who have believed, when you meet those who disbelieve advancing [for battle], do not turn to them your backs [in flight]. And whoever turns his back to them on such a day…has certainly returned with anger [upon him] from Allah, and his refuge is Hell and wretched is the destination .”  

16. It is difficult to list all of the minor sins in Islam. The list should include anything which violates Allah’s guidance, which is not itself a Major sin. A minor sin is something you are ashamed of, which you would not want people to find out about. Some of the most common behaviors include : Breaking a promise Being immodest (flirting, watching obscene movies/TV, etc.) Being suspicious or spying on others Name-calling or bullying another person Talking excessively about things which are not our business Swearing and etc………

17. Committing a sin doesn't eternally separate a person from the Almighty. The Quran reassures us that Allah is prepared to forgive us. Allah says: "Say : Oh, my servants who have transgressed against their own souls! Do not despair of Allah's mercy. Indeed Allah forgives all sins, for Truly He is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful” (Quran 39:53 ).

18. One can rectify minor sins by seeking forgiveness from Allah, and then practice good deeds such as giving to the needy in charity. Above all, we should never doubt Allah’s Mercy : Allah says: "If you avoid the great sins which you are forbidden to do, We shall remit from your (small) sins, and admit you to a Noble Entrance (i.e. Paradise)" (Quran 4:31). ​

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