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What is the definition of a major sin?

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What defines a major sin [Kaba’ir] in the Usul of the Hanafi’s? – Could you please elaborate on this. 

Answer

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh.

In Sharhul Aqaaid, Imam Shamsuddin Taftazani, rahmatullahu alayhi, has enumerated the following as major sins:

  • Shirk (ascribing partners to Allah)
  • Killing a person without justification is Shariah
  • To accuse a chaste woman of adultery
  • Adultery/fornication
  • Fleeing from the battlefield
  • Practicing magic
  • Wrongfully using the money of an orphan
  • Disrespecting the parents
  •  Apostasy
  •  Usury
  • Theft
  • Drinking alchohol[1]

It is noteworthy to remember that some scholars have also said that there is, in fact, no such thing as a minor sin and that all sins are major. Another important thing to keep in mind is that no major sin remains a sin after sincere tawbah and that consistency in any sin will result in a major sin.[2]

For a detailed list on the major sins, it is recommended that you read a book called “Al-Kabaa’ir” by Imam Dhahabi. This book can be read from the following link: http://www.islamguiden.com/arkiv/majorsins.pdf    

And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best

Muhammad Haris Siddiqui

Student Darul Iftaa
Melbourne, Australia

Checked and Approved by,
Mufti Ebrahim Desai.


[1] النبراس شرح شرح العقائد ص.223 مكتبة حقانية

[2] مرقات المفاتيح 1121 دار الفكر

النبراس شرح شرح العقائد ص.225 مكتبة حقانية

This answer was collected from Askimam.org, which is operated under the supervision of Mufti Ebrahim Desai from South Africa.

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