Major sins in islam are those that Allah and His Messenger in the Qur’an and the Sunnah strictly told us to avoid, which I have mentioned below. Also, early Muslims told stories about what was wrong. If you avoid major sins, Allah promises to forgive your minor sins. Allah says this in the Qur’an.
These are some of the sins in today’s world, and most of us don’t even consider them as sins anymore. However, it has been mentioned by various chains of authority sources that these are sinful and should be avoided at any cost to protect oneself from damaging one’s soul with evil acts.
If you avoid the major sins forbidden to you, We will absolve you of your ˹lesser˺ misdeeds and admit you into a place of honor.
(An-Nisaa:31)
List of Major sins in Islam
- Worshipping anything besides Allah (Shirk)
- Taking someone’s life unlawfully
- Using magic
- Not praying regularly
- Not giving obligatory charity (Zakat)
- Breaking the fast during Ramadan without a good reason
- Avoiding the pilgrimage (Hajj) when able to go
- Being disrespectful to parents
- Cutting ties with relatives
- Committing adultery
- Engaging in inappropriate behavior
- Accepting unfair interest
- Wrongfully using an orphan’s property
- Spreading false information about the Prophet (ﷺ)
- Running away from a battle
- Misleading followers, being a tyrant, or oppressing as a leader
- Being arrogant, prideful, or haughty
- Lying about something you’ve witnessed
- Drinking alcohol
- Participating in gambling
- Accusing someone of adultery without proof
- Misusing war spoils, Muslim funds, or charity
- Stealing
- Robbing people on the highway
- Making false promises under oath
- Deceiving and taking others’ belongings through lies
- Unjustly collecting taxes
- Consuming forbidden items
- Taking one’s own life
- Telling lies
- Acting dishonestly as a judge
- Engaging in bribery
- Women acting like men, and vice versa
- Pimping or allowing a spouse to commit adultery
- Marrying someone just to return to a previous husband
- Not cleaning oneself properly after using the restroom
- Showing off good deeds
- Learning religious knowledge for personal gain or keeping it a secret
- Breaking trust
- Reminding recipients of your charity
- Rejecting the concept of destiny
- Eavesdropping on private conversations
- Spreading gossip and creating conflicts between people
- Cursing others
- Breaking promises or pledges
- Believing in fortune-tellers and astrologers
- A wife rebelling against her husband
- Creating images or drawings
- Loudly mourning for the dead or during tough times
- Harming others excessively
- Being arrogant and overbearing towards others
- Harming neighbors
- Harming or insulting other Muslims
- Harming the servants of Allah
- Being conceited by dragging the hem of one’s garment
- Men wearing silk or gold
- Running away from responsibilities
- Slaughtering animals without mentioning Allah’s name
- Falsely claiming someone as one’s father
- Engaging in arguments, nitpicking others’ words, and quarreling
- Withholding water from others
- Cheating when weighing or measuring goods
- Feeling too secure from facing consequences from Allah
- Losing hope and despairing of Allah’s mercy
- Neglecting group prayers without a good reason
- Regularly missing Friday and group prayers without a good reason
- Causing loss to an inheritance
- Engaging in deception and harmful schemes
- Spying on Muslims and exposing their weaknesses
- Speaking ill of the companions of the Prophet (ﷺ)
Source: Imam Shamsu ed-Deen Dhahabi
- List of Major sins in Islam
- Gunah e kabira
- The Impact of Sin on Virtuous Actions
- Deeds accepted only with piety
- Sin foils acceptance of Dua.
- Choosing to avoid wrong actions is true worship
- No help for those who don't take Namaz seriously
- What are the major haram things in Islam?
- How to be forgiven for major sins Islam?
Gunah e kabira
We must learn about major sins in Islam, so we Muslims can stay away from them. Alim-e-deen (religious experts) think about how many major sins in Islam there are. Some say there are only seven because:
The Prophet (ﷺ) said, “Stay away from seven major sins in Islam: Worshipping other things with Allah, doing magic, taking someone’s life when it’s not fair, getting extra money from interest, taking things from orphans, running away from a fight, and saying bad things about good women who didn’t do anything wrong.”
The Impact of Sin on Virtuous Actions
The major sins in Islam, also known as Gunah Al-Kabira, cause the good deeds to be empty. That is why refraining oneself from sins is more important than performing good deeds.
Imam Ja’far al-Sadiq (‘a) emphasized, “Abstaining from consuming even a small portion of Haram (prohibited) food holds greater significance in the eyes of Allah than performing two thousand rakats of recommended prayers.”
Second Tradition: Imam Ja’far al-Sadiq (‘a) stated, “Abstaining from a single dirham of Haram (unlawfully acquired) wealth is, in the sight of Allah, equivalent to the reward of seventy accepted Hajjs.”
Deeds accepted only with piety
Even if you devoutly perform prayers, stand firm like a tent peg, observe fasting until you resemble a dried stick, and even bow down like a bent bow, Allah will not accept your deeds unless you embody piety by guarding against evil actions.
The reason behind this Dunya (World) creation is to test the humans and their loyalty towards their deen (Faith). That is why Allah says in the Quran: He is the One Who has created death and life, to test which of you are best in deeds.” (Surah Al-Mulk:2)
Sin foils acceptance of Dua.
Whatever I have written in this post is what I have faced in my life, and trust me, the problems I met or the challenges I suffered were blessings from Almighty Allah.
Hazrat Musa (‘a) passed by a person from his followers who was in prostration. After completing his chore, Musa (‘a) returned to find him still in prostration. He said, “If I had the power to grant your wish I would surely have granted it.”
Allah (S.w.T.) revealed to Musa (‘a) that, “Even if this man prostrates for Me till his head gets detached from his neck, I will not accept his deeds, till he abstains from that which I dislike and does that which pleases Me. Otherwise, sin hinders the supplications from acceptance.
Based upon the traditions mentioned above, it is crucial for us in this worldly life and hereafter to be afraid of the consequences of engaging ourselves in sinful acts, whatever it may be, which may displease Allah.
This was the main reason why my Dua’s weren’t getting accepted, and I also promised Almighty that I would refrain from this sin if you, my lord, fulfilled my request. Alhamdulillah, that wish was fulfilled, but it was tough for me to stop myself from indulging in that sin; hence, I again did it.
And till this day, there is a wish that I want Almighty to fulfill, but it seems like until, and unless I stop myself entirely from committing that sin, Allah won’t answer my request. It is not as big a sin as you might think, but it is tough to stop committing it.
All the challenges that I face, no doubt, have only strengthened my faith in the Plan of Almighty Allah Alhamdulillah.
Ahl ul-Bayt (peace be upon them) has set great for us and showed us the true meaning of this life and this world.
Choosing to avoid wrong actions is true worship
Refraining ourselves from every sin, we call it Taqwa in Islam. It is the basis of our religion. Hence, abstain from every small or major sins in Islam to become pious so that he, the Almighty, may shower His blessings upon you and lift off the curtains from yours so that you may see the reality of this world and hereafter.
Because deeds are accepted only with piety, adorn yourself with righteousness. Do not perform a single good deed without piety.
Indeed, the deed done with righteousness is more acceptable in the eyes of Allah, even though it may be of little value or importance.
Allah accepts the good deeds only from the pious people.
Al-Islam.org
Indeed, when the King of all the kings, the Lord of the worlds, accepts a deed, it cannot be called a trifle (of little value or importance).
No help for those who don’t take Namaz seriously
It is known that whoever takes obligatory Salah lightly is among the major sins in Islam, and some Alim-e-deen also regard them as non-muslims.
It is also mentioned in some reports that whoever takes Salah lightly or unimportant is not eligible for the intercession on the day of judgment.
Imam Ja’far al-Sadiq (‘a) stated, “We do not intercede for those who regard prayers as unimportant.” The Imam’s words can also be expressed as “Our intercession is not for those who considered prayers lightly.”
Additionally, a Holy Prophet (ﷺ) narration conveys, “Anyone who regards prayers as unimportant is not part of my Ummah. By Allah, he cannot approach me at the Haudh al-Kauthar (the cistern in Paradise).
What are the major haram things in Islam?
Gunah-e-Kabira” means major sins in Islam. These are the big no-nos that are important to avoid. These are acts that Allah does not like, and it is only an act that brings one closer to evil.
“A minor sin does not remain minor if one persists in committing it.”
Musnad Ash Shihaab, Vol. 2, Hadith 555
- Shirk (associating partners with Allah): This is the greatest sin in Islam, involving ascribing partners or equals to Allah, like in other religions.
- Murder (intentional): Taking the life of another person without justification.
- Fornication and adultery: Engaging in sexual relations outside of lawful marriage.
- Usury (Riba): Involves charging or paying interest on loans, which is prohibited in Islam.
- Consuming intoxicants (Alcohol and drugs): Substance abuse that alters one’s state of mind is considered a major sin.
- Theft: Unlawfully taking someone else’s property, whether it be your close relatives or anybody.
- False accusation of adultery (Qadhf): Making false allegations against a righteous person regarding adultery.
- Bearing false witness (false testimony): Providing untrue testimony, especially in legal matters.
- Sorcery and witchcraft (Sihr): Engaging in magical practices or seeking help from magical means.
- Not performing obligatory prayers (Salah): Neglecting the fundamental act of worship in Islam.
- Not fasting during Ramadan without a valid excuse: Neglecting the obligatory fast during Ramadan.
- Not giving zakat (obligatory charity): Neglecting the obligation to provide a portion of one’s wealth to those in need.
- Leaving Islam (Apostasy): Abandoning the faith of Islam.
How to be forgiven for major sins Islam?
Allah is most merciful, and no human beings are perfect except The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) and his Progeny. Allah has created angels who are continuously engaged in worshipping Allah. They don’t get tired, take breaks, or stop praising and glorifying Allah. (dua for forgiveness and tasbeeh for forgiveness)
Unlike humans, angels don’t have free will to choose right and wrong. They are created to be pure and obedient, incapable of sinning. This means they consistently worship Allah and carry out their tasks without any possibility of wrongdoing.
This is us for whom this world (Duniya) has been created to test the pious souls, and He has promised those who seek forgiveness with sincere hearts he will be forgiven out of his mercy.
“Say, ‘O My servants who have transgressed against themselves [by sinning], do not despair of the mercy of Allah. Indeed, Allah forgives all sins. Indeed, it is He who is the Forgiving, the Merciful.'”
Surah Az-Zumar 53
