“Then I will come to them from before them and from behind them and on their right and on their left, and You will not find most of them grateful.” (Holy Qur’an 7:17)
This article will focus on the major sins (in no particular order) as well as remedies and solutions for their forgiveness.
“IF (but) eschew the evilest of the things which you are forbidden to do, We shall expel out of YOU ( Saiyiatikum) ALL THE EVIL IN YOU, and admit you to a gate of great honor.” -(Holy Qur’an 4:31)
As this is the continuation in the series you would be highly encouraged to read the first entry so that you are familiar with the approach.
https://primaquran.wordpress.com/2019/12/01/major-sins-their-expiation-and-forgiveness-part-1/
In the article above we covered major sins 1-5. Those being:
- Despairing of the mercy of Allah
- Apostasy
- Witchcraft
- False Theology-saying about Allah (swt) what is not true.
- Suicide.
#6) Lying about the Blessed Messenger-The Prophet Muhammed.
Telling lies about the Blessed Messenger has to be one of the vilest things that a Muslim can do. In some ways, it is even viler than lying about the Holy Qur’an. Why would I say this? The Qur’an has to be the most accessible text to Muslims. Muslims can go directly to the Arabic text and/or rely upon translations to ascertain the truth of what someone claims concerning it.
However, the hadith traditions are not that accessible. Muslims are not in the habit of keeping various books of traditions in their homes. It may be usual to see the 40 hadith collection of Imam Nawawi, the Muwatta of Imam Malik, or the collection of hadith Qudsi. However, it is a very rare sight to see a Muslim home with even one full volume of Bukhari, Musnad Imam Ahmed or the copious amounts of other hadith literature.
What makes it more troubling is that Muslims know that everything within the Holy Qur’an is 100% from Allah (swt) whereas the hadith have grades of what makes one narration more sound than another. This is the extent of knowledge of the layman Muslim and how he or she is informed about their religion.
To complicate this matter the terms ‘Sahih‘ have been thrown in front of various narrations and declared to be unquestionably what the Blessed Prophet (saw) said.
“So for their breaking of the covenant, We cursed them and made their hearts hard. They distort words from their usages and have forgotten a portion of that of which they were reminded. And you will still observe deceit among them, except a few of them. But pardon them and overlook their misdeeds. Indeed, Allah loves the doers of good.” (Holy Qur’an 5:13)
Narrated by Ali: “The Prophet said, “Do not tell a lie against me for whosoever tells a lie against me then he will surely enter the hell-fire.” (Bukhari Vol 1, Book 3. Knowledge. Hadith 106)
Look at this frightening quote from Shaykh Umar Bin Hafiz
There is a whole article written on this here:
When asked how can we be 100% certain that we have the words of the Blessed Messenger (saw) Dr. Jonathan Brown responded, ‘You can’t!’
You can read about that here:
“So woe to those who write the “scripture” with their own hands, then say, “This is from Allah,” in order to exchange it for a small price. Woe to them for what their hands have written and woe to them for what they earn.” (Holy Qur’an 2:79)
This verse above is very important because it shows you that there are upon this Earth, people who have absolutely no fear of Allah (swt). If these people find it a light matter a small thing to attribute revelation to Allah (swt) don’t you think they will find it even a lighter matter, a smaller thing to attribute lies to the Blessed Messenger (saw)?
The famous quote from Ibn Sirin:
“In the early period, no one would ask about isnad. But when the fitna (strife fighting among companions) occurred people would say, “Name for us your men.”
This points to the fact that the early proto hadith period people didn’t give chains of transmission. I did see someone try and be sly and make it look like the text above indicated that people could give chains of transmission but didn’t. There is not a single example to corroborate this! What we do have is companions would question things that seemed out of balance to them from what they understood about certain matters and then the people would bring corroborating evidence or they would simply verify it with the Blessed Messenger (saw).
Examples:
Example: Umar Ibn Al Khattab snatching up another companion who he heard recite the Qur’an differently than him:
‘Umar ibn al-Khattab who said: “I heard Hisham ibn Hakim reciting Surah al-Furqan in a manner different from that in which I used to recite it and the way in which the Messenger of Allah (saw) taught me to recite it. I was about to argue with him whilst he was praying, but I waited until he finished his prayer, and then I tied his garment around his neck and seized him by it and brought him to the Messenger of Allah (saw) and said, ‘O Messenger of Allah, I heard this man reciting Surah al-Furqan in a way different to the way you taught it to me.’ The Messenger of Allah (saw) said to him, ‘Recite it,’ and he recited it as I had heard him recite it. The Messenger of Allah (saw) said, ‘It was revealed like this.’ Then he said to me, ‘Recite it,’ so I recited it and he said, ‘It was revealed like this.’ This Qur’an has been revealed in seven different ways, so recite it in the way that is easiest for you.’” Source: (Bukhari, 2287; Muslim, 818)
Example: Aisha correcting the narration of Abu Hurayrah.
Abu Hurayrah reported: The Messenger of Allah (saw) said: “A woman, an ass and a dog disrupt the prayer, but something like the back of a saddle guards against that.” ( ‘sahih’ Muslim, Hadith 790)
However….
Narrated ‘Aisha: The things which annul prayer were mentioned before me (and those were): a dog, an ass and a woman. I said, “You have compared us (women) to donkeys and dogs. By Allah! I saw the Prophet praying while I used to lie in (my) bed between him and the Qibla. Whenever I was in need of something, I disliked to sit and trouble the Prophet. So, I would slip away by the side of his feet.” (‘Sahih’ Bukhari, Hadith 484)
Example:
Abu Sa’id Khudri reported: I was sitting in Medina in the company of the Ansar that Abu Musa came trembling with fear. We said to him: What is the matter? He said: ‘Umar sent for me. I went to him and paid him salutation three times at (his) door but he made no response to me and so I came back Thereupon he (‘Umar) said: What stood in your way that you did not turn up? I said: I did come to you and paid you salutations at your door three times but I was not given any response, so I came back as the Messenger of Allah (saw) has said: When any one of you seeks permission three times and he did not grant permission, he should come back. Umar said: Bring a witness to support that you say, otherwise I shall take you to task. Ubay b. Ka’b said: None should stand with him (as a witness) but the youngest among the people. Abu Sa’id said: I am the youngest amongst the people, whereupon he said: Then you go with him (to support his contention). (Source Muslim Book of Manners hadith No. 5354)
The aforementioned are just a small taste of the numerous ways in which we can approach this particular topic. You can see that contrary to what we are told that companions either corrected other companions about what the Blessed Messenger (saw) said, and/or they often flat out didn’t believe them! In the case of Umar, he would be quite stern with companions unless they had corroborating witnesses. I have not seen an example of Umar accepting a lone narrator report.
What is the remedy for this sin? What is the solution?
So with all this in mind and knowing the stern penalties that would await us if we were to lie about what the Blessed Messenger (saw) said what is the solution?
This is why in my article: My position on the hadith I have stated that any ahadith that is attributed to the Blessed Messenger(saw) that we should always say under any circumstance. “It has been narrated or attributed to the Blessed Messenger.”
This was a practice that comes from the Shafi’i scholar Al-Qadi Abd al-Jabbar. He is reported to have said, “Who stated that if one wants to cite a hadith that is unreliable one should not say, “the Prophet said. ,,” but rather “it has been narrated from the Prophet,” Source: (al-Qâdî ‘Abd al-Jabbâr, Fadl al-i’tizâl, ed, Fu’âd Sayyid (Tunis: al-Dâr al-TQnisiyya, 1393/1974), 186,)
I take it a step further and say in reality we should be saying this of every single narration of the Blessed Messenger (saw).
So in this case of general statements of the Blessed Messenger (saw) one needs not to concern themselves with the labels Sahih, Hasan, etc. You simply word any report as ‘it has been attributed’ or ‘it has been narrated from’. This way you do two things:
- Save yourself from saying with certainty about the Blessed Messenger (saw).
- Save yourself from rejecting the traditions outright but by placing the responsibility squarely on the one’s claiming to narrate from him.
In the case of issues concerning laws and theology especially wherein punishments are to be acted on you should compare/contrast the narrations with what is certain. That being the words of Allah (swt).
Or do they say, “He has invented about Allah a lie”? But if Allah willed, He could seal over your heart. And Allah eliminates falsehood and establishes the truth by His words. Indeed, He is Knowing of that within the breasts. (Holy Qur’an 42:24)
#7) Not wanting Islam to be established on the Earth.
It may be hard to fathom that Muslims would not want Islam to be established on the Earth but there are among the Muslims the people of nifaq (hypocrisy) and the people who are rebellious sinners (fasiq). Allah (swt) knows best who they are among us. Allah (swt) has given a very strong warning that applies to ALL who do not want Islam to be established upon the Earth.
“Verily, those who disbelieve spend their wealth to hinder mankind from the Path of Allah, and so will they continue to spend it; but in the end,it will become an anguish for them. Then they will be overcome. And those who are ungrateful will be gathered unto Hell.” (Holy Qur’an 8:36)
“Indeed, those who disbelieved and averted people from the path of Allah and then died while they were ungrateful – never will Allah forgive them.” (Holy Qur’an 47:34)
“Here you are – those invited to spend in the cause of Allah – but among you are those who withhold. And whoever withholds only withholds from himself; and Allah is the Free of need, while you are the needy. And if you turn away, He will replace you with another people; then they will not be the likes of you.” (Holy Qur’an 47:38)
“Fain would they extinguish Allah’s light with their mouths, but Allah will not allow but that His Light should be perfected, even though the ungrateful may detest it. It is He Who has sent His messenger with the guidance and the Religion of Truth, that He may cause it to prevail over all religion, however much the mushrikun may be averse to it.” (Holy Qur’an 9:32)
“They want to extinguish the light of Allah with their mouths, but Allah will perfect His light, although the ungrateful dislike it. It is He who sent His Messenger with guidance and the religion of truth to manifest it over all religion, although those who associate others with Allah dislike it.” (Holy Qur’an 68:8-9)
What is the remedy for this sin? What is the solution?
The solution is to return to Allah (swt) and repent. Do not die while actively engaged in trying to suppress either the message of Islam or the implementation of Islam in the lives of people. Turn away from your hypocrisy (nifaq) and leave the way of the defiantly sinful. (fasiq)
“But as for one who had repented, believed, and done righteousness, it is promised by Allah that he will be among the successful.” (Holy Qur’an 28:67)
It would be highly recommended to make the following supplication:
“Our Lord! Cause not our hearts to stray after you have guided us, and bestow upon us mercy from Your Presence. You, only You, are the Ever Giving.” (Holy Qur’an 3:8)
“It is He Who sent down calmness and tranquility into the hearts of the believers, that they may grow more in Faith along with their present Faith. And to Allah belong the hosts of the heavens and the earth, and Allah is Ever All-Knowing, All-Wise”. (Holy Qur’an 9:26)
Allah (swt) will take from your heart the anxiety you had about Islam or any hate towards Islam and replace it with calmness and tranquility.
#8) Carrying out injustice on an individual level
“Unquestionably, the curse of Allah is upon the unjust.” (Holy Qur’an 11:18)
Can it be said that people who have the curse of Allah (swt) will be in paradise? Can it be said that paradise is the destination of the accursed?
“And the retribution for an evil act is an evil one like it, but whoever pardons and makes reconciliation – his reward is [due] from Allah. Indeed, He does not love the unjust.” (Holy Qur’an 42:40)
Can it be said that people that Allah (swt) does not love will be in paradise? Can it be said that paradise is the destination of the unloved?
“Indeed, Allah commands you to render trusts to whom they are due and when you judge between people to judge with justice. Excellent is that which Allah instructs you. Indeed, Allah is ever Hearing and Seeing.” (Holy Qur’an 4:58)
“O you who have believed, be persistently standing firm in justice, witnesses for Allah, even if it be against yourselves or parents and relatives. Whether one is rich or poor, Allah is more worthy of both. So follow not personal inclination, lest you swerve from justice. And if you distort your testimony or refuse to give it, then indeed Allah is ever, with what you do, Acquainted.” (Holy Qur’an 1:135)
“Oh, you who believe! Be ever steadfast in your devotion to Allah, bearing witness to the truth in all equity; and never let the hatred of any-one lead you into the sin of deviating from justice. Be just: this is closest to being Allah-conscious. And remain conscious of Allah: verily, Allah is aware of all that you do.” (Holy Qur’an 5:8)
If there are three themes that are core and central to Islam it is
- That Allah (swt) is absolutely one.
- To be conscious of Allah (swt) at all times.
- The establishment of justice.
It is rather surprising that justice is not considered among the pillars of belief along with belief in Allah (swt), his angels, prophets, revelations and so forth.
Rather than the very obvious fact of establishing the truth over falsehood where it concerns worshiping Allah (swt) and abstaining from shirk the following verse should be a point of reflection:
“We sent Our Messengers with clear signs and sent down with them the Book and the Measure in order to establish justice among the people…” (Holy Qur’an 57:25)
Forgive the pun but it would be difficult to do justice to the topic of justice even if one were to write a book on it.
If there ever is a major sin which is easy to fall into and which one could end up in eternal hellfire if repentance and/or reconciliation does not ensue; it would be from injustice-undoubtedly. Even the beings of light, the angels asked:
“And when your Lord said to the angels, “Indeed, I will make upon the earth a successive authority.” They said, “Will You place upon it one who causes corruption therein and sheds blood, while we declare Your praise and sanctify You?” Allah said, “Indeed, I know that which you do not know.” (Holy Qur’an 2:30)
There is justice that is due towards Allah (swt) by obeying him in all his commands, worshiping and associating nothing with Allah (swt) in any of his attributes.
There is justice that is due to one’s self by taking care of one’s body, hygiene, and health.
There is justice that is due to time itself. That what we do with the time that is allotted to us while on this Earth.
There is justice due to one’s spouse. There is justice due to one’s partner during a divorce and justice towards the children.
There is justice due to one’s parents and family members.
There is justice due to the animals and the ecology of the planet.
There is justice due to one’s neighbors.
There is justice due to fellow Muslims and as well as to Non-Muslims.
In this series, you will undoubtedly realize that every single major sin falls under some categorization of injustice. This is either against oneself, their Lord, or against fellow human beings.
“So reconcile between them in justice and fairness. Verily, Allah loves those who are just.” (Holy Qur’an 49:9)
Some oral traditions to consider when thinking about justice.
It is has been attributed to the Blessed Messenger (saw) that he said:
“Beware of the supplication of the oppressed, even if he is an unbeliever, for there is no screen between that supplication and Allah (swt).” Source: (Musnad Ahmad 12140)
It is has been attributed to the Blessed Messenger (saw) that he said:
“Verily the most beloved of people to Allah on the Day of Resurrection and the nearest to Him will be the just leader. The Most Hated of people to Allah and the furthest from Him will be a tyrannical leader.”
Source: Sunan At-Tirmidhi 1329.
Keep in mind that husbands are leaders, Mosque board members are leaders. In any situation in which you are a leader, you must do your utmost to be just.
It has been attributed to the Blessed Messenger (saw) that he said:
“By Allah, you must enjoin good and forbid evil and seize the hand of the oppressor and make him follow the truth and restrict him to what is just.”
Source: Sunan Abu Dawud 4336
What is the remedy for this sin? What is the solution?
This depends on the type of injustice committed. If you have wronged a person or an individual you need to ask for that person’s forgiveness and/or expiate for the wrong. If you took property it must be returned or compensated for by similar value or offer your work to them.
If you have defrauded the people you must inform them and do what you can to make amends with them.
If you are dealing unjustly with your body you should make the intention to start to eat less, more healthy, make sure the food you eat doesn’t come from practices that are evil to the environment.
If you are a husband and you are dealing unjustly with your wife and children you should repent. Be thankful to Allah (swt) for what Allah (swt) has given you. Make amends with your wife, learn to lead and be a disciplinarian, a visionary, give love to your family. Spend time with your family.
If you have neighbors and you have not even met your neighbors you should try to immediately. If they are elderly inquire of their needs, perhaps leave your number with them if they need you to run to the market for them. Have a plan to evacuate your elderly neighbors if there is a fire. At the very least make intention to save their lives. Muslim or not Muslim it doesn’t matter they are human beings!
Remember the subject of justice is vast and Allah (swt) does not take us to account for ignorance or lapses in memory and/or judgment. He takes us to account for those things we do willfully.
#9) Carrying out injustice as either an organized group or as a government against the environment.
“Indeed, the penalty for those who wage war against Allah and His Messenger and strive upon earth to cause corruption is none but that they are killed or impaled or that their hands and feet be cut off from opposite sides or that they are exiled from the land. That is for them a disgrace in this world, and for them in the Hereafter is a great punishment.” (Holy Qu’ran 5:33)
Those who carry about ‘fasad‘-corruption, villainy, destruction on people, the skies, the lands, and the seas.
Types of ‘fasad‘
Pollution of the Earth.
Spreading death upon the lands through pollution.
Spreading death upon the seas through pollution.
Spreading death in the sky through pollution.
This has to be probably the worst type of punishment given out in the Holy Qur’an. The destruction of our environment leads to the destruction of us all and in a sense that is why the fasad in 5:32 is tied in with the idea of destroying the whole of mankind. Saving a life as if one was saving the whole of mankind. Every individual life is worth saving is vast untapped potential. The person could be the one who invents a technology or an advancement in science that saves the whole of mankind. Allah (swt) knows best.
There are three choices given to dealing with people who do such.
- They are to killed.
- They are to be impaled.
- They are to have their hands and feet cut off on opposite sides.
- They are to be banished from the lands.
These options are available and will be determined by the courts. Certainly, things to keep in mind would be the type and nature of the fasad. The number of people, area of land, sea, sky, and creatures affected. Repeat offenses if any.
“And when he goes away, he strives throughout the land to cause corruption therein and destroy crops and animals. And Allah does not like corruption.” (Holy Qur’an 2:205)
“So why were there not among the generations before you those of enduring discrimination forbidding corruption on earth – except a few of those We saved from among them? But those who wronged pursued what luxury they were given therein, and they were criminals.” (Holy Qur’an 11:116)
“Because of that, We decreed upon the Children of Israel that 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. And our messengers had certainly come to them with clear proofs. Then indeed many of them, [even] after that, throughout the land, were transgressors. “(Holy Qur’an 5:32)
” If the Truth had been in accord with their desires, truly the heavens and the earth, and all beings therein would have been in confusion and corruption! Nay, We have sent them their admonition, but they turn away from their admonition.” (Holy Qur’an 23:71)
What is the remedy for this sin? What is the solution?
In some situations even if a person, institution, government or organization makes repentance it may be followed by one of the punishments above as a deterrent to others who may wish to unleash corruption upon the Heavens and the Earth.
“Corruption has appeared throughout the land and sea by what the hands of people have earned so He may let them taste part of what they have done that perhaps they will return to righteousness. (Holy Qur’an 30:41)
“Except for those who repent before they fall into your power: in that case, know that Allah is Oft-forgiving, Most Merciful.” (Holy Qur’an 5:34)
This verse is directly tied to the punishments mentioned in 5:33 above. That is to say, those not subject to the punishments above are people who may have started off doing corrupting the Earth can have a change of heart. This does not absolve them of making right their wrongs. They should utilize all the resources at their disposal to right their wrongs. It just means those who come clean before they are dealt with are not subject to the punishments listed above.
“Who cause corruption in the land and do not amend.” (Holy Qur’an 26:152)
This verse shows that it is possible to amend.
#10) Shirk -associating partners, powers, or principalities with Allah (swt). Ascribing something with the power to do something independent of Allah’s sovereignty.
“Indeed, Allah does not forgive association with Him, but He forgives what is less than that for whom He wills. And he who associates others with Allah has certainly gone far astray.” (Holy Qur’an 4:116)
“And those who do not invoke with Allah another deity or kill the soul which Allah has forbidden to be killed, except by right, and do not commit unlawful sexual intercourse. And whoever should do that will meet a penalty. Multiplied for him is the punishment on the Day of Resurrection, and he will abide therein forever humiliated -Except for those who repent, believe and do righteous work. For them, Allah will replace their evil deeds with good. And ever is Allah Forgiving and Merciful. (Holy Qur’an 25:68-70)
Now what is interesting about these two hadith when taken together is that some Muslims will argue that you can commit murder and unlawful sexual intercourse and do not repent of it you will still go to heaven!
The text says no such thing! In one text Allah (swt) says that he will not forgive those who associates any partners with him. But he will forgive less than that for whom He wills.
The next text adds information to the previous text. In that text (25:68-69) did Allah (swt) say that killing a human being or having unlawful sexual intercourse was any less an offense than shirk? It doesn’t say that anywhere!
In fact, those people who say that you can still go to heaven for committing murder and illegal sexual intercourse without repenting ask them if they consider those two sins major sins? They will answer you yes!
In fact, it is their interpretation (Ahl Sunnah) that causes a contradiction between the text, not ours! (The Ibadi School)
Think about it:
“Indeed, Allah does not forgive association with Him, but He forgives what is less than that for whom He wills.
So the (Ahl Sunnah) understand this to mean if you commit shirk and don’t repent you are doomed. But you can do anything else and die without repenting of it and Allah (swt) MIGHT forgive you.
Now, look at the verse that says shirk, murder, and unlawful sexual intercourse. When it says, ” -Except for those who repent, believe and do righteous work.”
Are they saying, ” -Except for those who repent, believe and do righteous work.” it is ONLY a reference to the shirk?
How did they draw this conclusion?
Whereas we say logically and as the verse above clearly states that if you commit: shirk, murder and unlawful sexual intercourse and do not turn and repent and work righteous deeds. Your afterlife is doomed.
However, this section is not to deal with murder or unlawful sexual intercourse but with Shirk.
What is the remedy for this sin? What is the solution?
“Except for those who repent, believe and do righteous work. For them, Allah will replace their evil deeds with good. And ever is Allah Forgiving and Merciful.” (Holy Qur’an 25:68-70)
That is the solution. The solution isn’t just to hope that Allah (swt) will MAYBE forgive you. The solution is to know that Allah (swt) WILL forgive you. This forgiveness is contingent upon your sincere repentance and doing righteous good works. By doing this those evil deeds (shirk, unlawful sexual intercourse, murder) they will be completely effaced and replaced with good deeds! Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.
Repent, amend, do good. Is that so hard to ask?
insh’Allah- Allah-willing will continue on with this series on major sins and their forgiveness.
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