QUESTION:
What is the difference between major and minor sins?
ANSWER:
There are two categories of sins. Some of them are categorized as major sins whilst others are categorized as minor sins. The one who refrains from major sins has been promised forgiveness by Allah Ta’ala for his minor sins. Minor sins are forgiven through Wudhu, performing Salaah, etc. However, major sins are forgiven through sincere Taubah. The condition for minor sins to be forgiven is that one should try to refrain from major sins. From this we understand that if one is involved in major sins but makes Wudhu, performs Salaah, and carries out other good deeds, then too then his minor sins will not be forgiven.
Defining Major and Minor Sins
A sin refers to any action that is against the pleasure of Allah Ta’ala. The sins referred to as minor sins are not actually minor sins, as disobeying Allah Ta’ala is a serious wrong. It is for this reason that Imaam-ul-Haramain and many other Ulama have mentioned that every form of disobedience of Allah Ta’ala is a major sin. Sins being referred to as minor and major is when comparing them to each other. Therefore, Abdullah Bin Abbas Radiallahu Anhu stated:
كل ما نهي عنه فهو كبيرة
Whatever we have been prohibited from is a major sin.
A major sin is such a sin for which a punishment has been stipulated in the Quraan Sharif or words of curse have been used for the action or there is a warning of Jahannam. Similarly, any minor sin that is boldly perpetrated with continuity is categorized as a major sin. Someone mentioned before Ibn Abbas Radiallahu Anhu that there are seven major sins. He said, “It would be more appropriate if you mentioned that there are seven hundred major sins.”
[Re: Ma’ariful Quraan Vol:2 Pg:384/385]
In Mazaahirul Haq some of major sins have been listed:
- Worshiping others, or associating partners with Allah (shirk)
- Believing in superstition, fortune telling and astrology
- Using magic or sorcery
- Committing murder
- Committing suicide
- Bearing false witness
- Committing adultery or fornication
- Cheating, stealing, and lying
- Charging or paying interest or usury (Riba)
- Consuming pork or alcohol
- Consuming the wealth of an orphan
- Not fasting in the Month of Ramadan
- Not observing daily prayers
- Not paying zakat
- Gambling
- Bribery, betraying trusts and breaking contracts
- Backbiting and slandering
- Breaking ties of kinship
- Disobeying or not honouring one’s parents
[Re: Mazahirul Haqq Vol:1 Pg:112-113]
ALLAH TA’ALA IN HIS INFINITE KNOWLEDGE KNOWS BEST!
ANSWERED BY:
Maulana Ahmed Saeed
Date: 15 Muharram 1446 / 22 July 2024
CHECKED AND APPROVED BY:
Mufti Mohammed Desai
