acknowledgment

preface

imam-dhahabi

definition

ascribing-associates-to-allah-the-most-high-shirk

killing-a-human-being

sorcery

not-performing-the-prayer

not-paying-zakat

breaking-ones-fast-during-ramadan-without-an-excuse

not-performing-the-hajj-when-able-to

showing-disrespect-to-ones-parents

severing-the-ties-of-ones-relatives

adultery

sodomy

accepting-usurious-gain

wrong-consuming-an-orphans-property

lying-about-the-prophet-pbuh

fleeing-from-the-battlefield

the-leader-who-misleads-his-followers-the-tyrant-and-the-oppressor

arrogance-pride-conceit-vanity-and-haughtiness

bearing-false-witness

drinking-alcohol

gambling-qimar

accusing-a-woman-of-adultery

misappropriating-spoils-of-war-muslim-funds-or-zakat

theft

highwaymen-who-menace-the-road

the-engulfing-oath

taking-peoples-property-through-falsehood

collecting-taxes

the-consumption-of-haram

suicide

telling-lies

the-dishonest-judge

bribery

women-imitating-men-and-vice-versa

the-pimp-and-the-one-who-permits-his-wife-to-fornicate

marrying-solely-to-return-to-the-previous-husband

not-freeing-oneself-of-all-traces-of-urine

showing-off-in-good-work

learning-sacred-knowledge-for-the-sake-of-this-world-or-concealing-it

breach-of-faith

reminding-recipients-of-ones-charity-to-them

disbelieving-in-destiny-qadar

listening-to-peoples-private-conversations

the-talebearer-who-stirs-up-enmity-between-people

cursing-others

breaking-ones-promise-or-pledge

believing-fortunetellers-and-astrologers

a-wifes-rebellion-against-her-husband

picture-making

loudly-lamenting-for-the-dead-or-when-afflicted-with-an-adversity

excess-against-others

overburdening-and-arrogance-against-others

hurting-ones-neighbor

hurting-or-reviling-muslims

harming-the-servants-of-allah

dragging-the-hem-of-ones-garment-out-of-conceit

men-wearing-silk-or-gold

fleeing-of-the-slave

slaughtering-in-other-than-allahs-name

falsely-claiming-someone-is-ones-father

arguing-picking-apart-anothers-words-and-quarreling

withholding-excess-water-from-others

stinting-when-weighing-or-measuring-out-goods-and-similar-merchandise

feeling-secure-from-allahs-devising

despairing-of-the-mercy-of-allah-and-losing-of-hope

forgoing-the-congregational-prayer-to-pray-alone-without-a-legal-excuse

constantly-missing-the-friday-and-congregational-prayer-without-a-valid-excuse

bringing-loss-to-the-bequest

deception-and-evil-schemes

spying-on-the-muslims-and-revealing-their-weaknesses

disparaging-the-companions-of-the-prophet

Major sins are defined as what is forbidden by Allah and His Messenger in the Qur'an and the Sunnah in addition to what is narrated on the authority of early Muslims. Allah, the Most high, promises whoever avoids the major sins to expiate his minor sins. Allah, the Almighty says, {If ye (but) eschew the most heinous of the things which ye are forbidden to do, we shall remit your evil deeds, and admit you to a gate of great honour.} (An-Nisaa :31) In this text, Allah, the Most High, also promises whoever avoids the major sins to admit him to Paradise. Allah, the Almighty says, {Those who avoid the greater sins and indecencies, and when they are angry even they forgive;} (Ash-Shura:37) The Qur'an also states, {Those who avoid great sins and indecent deeds, save lesser offences, verily thy Lord is ample in forgiveness.} (An-Najm:32)

Major Sins

In translating this book EI-Falah staff members attempted to study and analyze some books published in the same field in order to be consistent. Although the book was written in the same style and wording used by the early Muslim scholars, the translators, in turn, have nothing but to assimilate, paraphrase and then translate in a simple English structure. Therefore, we are indebted to our translators: Abdul-Hamid A. Eliwa Ali M. As-Sawi Wa'il A. Shehab Mahmud AI-Qastawi Great appreciation is due to our editor, Jeewan Chanicka under whose guidance and supervision the subject matter took form. Our gratitude goes to friends, associates, and professors for their valuable advice and help and for many useful things we have learnt from them. In truth, the benefit yielded from this book as a spiritual sermon began before it was sent to the printer's as it puts before our eyes the abode, which we are going to.

Major Sins by Imam Shamsu ed-Deen Dhahabi

Acknowledgment