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

Allah Most High says, {And spy not on each other.} (Al-Hujurat: 12) The meaning of this command is that a Muslim should avoid searching about his brother's faults that Allah has concealed. Once a man said to Ibn Mas'ud (may Allah be pleased with him), "This man, Al-Walid Ibn 'Uqbah, seems to be drunk for the traces of wine appears on his beard." Ibn Mas'ud replied, "We are commanded to avoid spying but when something ascertained to us we judge accordingly.” The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) declared, "Whoever listens to people who are averse to his listening shall have molten lead poured into his ears on the Day of Judgment.”1 1 Reported

Major Sins by Imam Shamsu ed-Deen Dhahabi

Listening to People's Private Conversations