How can a Muslim differentiate between major and minor sins? What acts are regarded as sinful in Islam? Learn what's considered a minor or major sin in Islam.
In Islam, a sin is defined as any act which contradicts the commandments or Will of Allah (the One God, the Creator).
Some sins are regarded as major, while others are considered minor. What are the differences between the two?
Major Sins in Islam
Some scholars assert that there are seven major sins, based on the following narration (hadith) by the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him): "Avoid the seven noxious things: associating anything with Allah, magic, killing one whom Allah has declared inviolate without a just case, consuming the property of an orphan, devouring usury, turning back when the army advances, and slandering chaste women who are believers but indiscreet." (Bukhari and Muslim)
Other scholars cite evidence that Islam's major sins are actually much greater in number.
These religious scholars define major sins as acts which are expressly forbidden in the Qu'an or by the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), or for which there is a hadd punishment under Islamic law. A hadd punishment is a punishment specified by Allah in the Qur'an.
Under this definition, the list of major sins includes (but is not limited to) the following acts:
Worshiping others, or associating partners with Allah (shirk)
Believing in superstition, fortune telling and astrology
Minor sins are acts which are displeasing to Allah but for which no specific punishment or severe warning has been issued. In this case, a Muslim's conscience and heart help him to know that an act is sinful.
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said, "Righteousness is good character, and sin is that which wavers in your heart and which you do not want people to know about." (Muslim)
Minor sins are not, however, to be taken lightly, as disobeying Allah is always a serious matter. Allah says: “You counted it a little thing, while with Allah it was very great.” (Qur'an 24:15)
Minor sins can easily lead someone to commit a major sin, and repeatedly committing a minor sin will change its status to that of a major sin.
Furthermore, habitual sinning causes a Muslim to lose faith and disregard the commandments of Allah. In the Qur'an, Allah says: “Nay, their hearts have been sealed by the sins they have accumulated.” (Qur'an 83:14).
Forgiveness and Expiation in Islam
Scholars agree that while good deeds and extra acts of worship help expiate minor sins, they won't compensate for major sins. Instead, a Muslim must make sincere repentance for major sins by showing genuine remorse, praying for Allah's Mercy and Forgiveness, and avoiding that sin in the future.
Only a person who avoids major sins will have good deeds such as charity, praying, or fasting accepted as expiation for minor sins. Allah says: “If you shun the great sins which you are forbidden, We will do away with your small sins and cause you to enter an honorable place of entering.” (Qur'an 4: 31)
Shirk, however, is the one sin which Allah will not forgive. "Verily, Allah forgives not that partners be set up with Him (in worship) but He forgives other than that to whom He pleases; and whoever sets up partners with Allah (in worship), he has indeed invented an enormous wrong." (Qur'an 4:48)
Remembrance of Allah
A Muslim should strive at all times to remember Allah, as this helps him refrain from sins of the tongue, heart, mind and hands. As Sheikh Muhammed Salih Al-Munajjid advises on Islam-qa.com, "The Muslim should not look at how small or great the sin is, rather he should look at the greatness and might of the One Whom he is disobeying."
Major Sins in Islam, Compiled and Translated into English by Muhammad Iqbal Siddiqi, International Islamic Publishers, New Delhi (1988).
The copyright of the article Major and Minor Sins in Islam in Quran & Hadith Studies is owned by Christine Benlafquih. Permission to republish Major and Minor Sins in Islam in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
Please understand that I am not a scholar. However, I can say that the
teachings of Islam are clear that sexual relationships are only permissible
within marriage, and that sex outside of marriage is sinful whether a
Muslim commits adultery or fornication with another Muslim or a non-Muslim.
Adultery is sex outside of marriage which involves at least one married
partner. Fornication can involve two unmarried people. Both are sinful.
There is hadd punishment for both. (Hadd is a punishment which has been
prescribed in the Qur'an.) One can only speculate based on Qur'an and
hadith whether and/or how Allah subhana wa taala will forgive or punish an
individual who commits adultery/fornication. Muslims do believe that Allah
subhana wa taala is very forgiving and accepting of sincere repentance, but
a Muslim should not take that Mercy for granted or assume that his sinful
behavior will be forgiven.
Sep 23, 2009 1:01 PM
Guest :
thank u so much for responding to my query. Sorry to take ur time..jst
3 more questions.
Consumption of alcohol is Banned. accepted. In
most of the western countries we have non alcoholic beers available in
camp. Can a muslim deem it as halal n consume the same? If no, why?
Second question- many of the young muslims engage in watching
pornographic materials (electronic/printed). Without any doubt its a
sin..but is it a major one or a minor one?
U say that taking
interest is a big sin..but the banks do say interest which i earn out of no
unlawful practice hence the accepting the bank interest can ont be termed
as haraam usury. Am i correct or wrong? If wrong, why?
Just out
of curiosity, does magic really exists in the world presently?
Jazakallah.
Sep 23, 2009 1:32 PM
Christine Benlafquih :
These questions really need to be directed to a scholar rather than a
writer like myself. I don't mean to skirt the issues, but it would be wrong
for me to answer without offering daleel (proof from Qur'an and Sunnah). I can say that some "non-alcoholic" beverages do in fact
contain a small percentage of alcohol, so caution needs to be exercised in
their consumption. Personally I have no desire to drink anything that
tastes like beer or wine since both are forbidden to Muslims to drink. As far as whether pornography qualifies as major or minor sin, I'd urge
the focus to be on staying mindful of Allah rather than wondering how to
categorize a sin. Perhaps the enormity of a sin is relative to the
individual and his level of knowledge. Allah knows best. And regarding
interest...Muslims can use non-interest bearing checking accounts rather
than interest-bearing checking and/or savings accounts. If interest is
being accrued through an employer-paid benefit such as a retirement fund,
the interest is still haram to accept. Perhaps in such cases a Muslim
should keep careful records of interest earnings. When a payout is
received, the percentage of interest can be calculated and a scholar
consulted as how to best deal with the interest.
Sep 23, 2009 1:36 PM
Guest :
thank u so much for responding to my query. Sorry to take ur time..jst
3 more questions.
Consumption of alcohol is Banned. accepted. In
most of the western countries we have non alcoholic beers available in
camp. Can a muslim deem it as halal n consume the same? If no, why?
Second question- many of the young muslims engage in watching
pornographic materials (electronic/printed). Without any doubt its a
sin..but is it a major one or a minor one?
U say that taking
interest is a big sin..but the banks do say interest which i earn out of no
unlawful practice hence the accepting the bank interest can ont be termed
as haraam usury. Am i correct or wrong? If wrong, why?
Just out
of curiosity, does magic really exists in the world presently?
Jazakallah.
Sep 23, 2009 1:52 PM
Guest :
Thank you for the invaluable post.
I have a question. You say
that adultery is a major sin in Islam. Accepted.
What i
understand from adultery is 'committing sexual acts outside marriage i.e.
other than your spouse'. If this is true then the sexual acts happening
between young muslims in universities/college should not be termed unlawful
since the young people are not married hence they are not having sexual
affairs outside their marriage and they can only be subjected to the rule
once when the get married.
is my understanding correct?
If my understanding is flawed, can you tell me what is the punishment
reserved for a person after he dies because committing sexual acts while at
university? If this is a major sin, how to ask forgiveness and any possible
solution (like marrying that girl)?
Lastly, is the crime more if
the girl is a non-muslim or a muslim?
Thanks a lot.
Sep 23, 2009 1:56 PM
Guest :
Thank you for the invaluable post.
I have a question. You say
that adultery is a major sin in Islam. Accepted.
What i
understand from adultery is 'committing sexual acts outside marriage i.e.
other than your spouse'. If this is true then the sexual acts happening
between young muslims in universities/college should not be termed unlawful
since the young people are not married hence they are not having sexual
affairs outside their marriage and they can only be subjected to the rule
once when the get married.
is my understanding correct?
If my understanding is flawed, can you tell me what is the punishment
reserved for a person after he dies because committing sexual acts while at
university? If this is a major sin, how to ask forgiveness and any possible
solution (like marrying that girl)?
Lastly, is the crime more if
the girl is a non-muslim or a muslim?
Thanks a lot.
Sep 23, 2009 1:57 PM
Guest :
Thank you for the invaluable post.
I have a question. You say
that adultery is a major sin in Islam. Accepted.
What i
understand from adultery is 'committing sexual acts outside marriage i.e.
other than your spouse'. If this is true then the sexual acts happening
between young muslims in universities/college should not be termed unlawful
since the young people are not married hence they are not having sexual
affairs outside their marriage and they can only be subjected to the rule
once when the get married.
is my understanding correct?
If my understanding is flawed, can you tell me what is the punishment
reserved for a person after he dies because committing sexual acts while at
university? If this is a major sin, how to ask forgiveness and any possible
solution (like marrying that girl)?
Lastly, is the crime more if
the girl is a non-muslim or a muslim?
