Islamic Views On Sin

Sin is an important concept in Islamic ethics that Muslims view as being anything that goes against the commands of God in Islam Allah (God) or breaching the laws and norms laid down by religion. Islam teaches that sin is an act and not a state of being. It is believed that God weighs an individual's good deeds against their sins on the Day of Judgement and punishes those individuals whose evil deeds outweigh their good deeds.

The Quran describes these sins throughout the texts and demonstrates that some sins are more punishable than others in the hereafter. A clear distinction is made between major sins (''al-Kabirah'') and minor sins (''al-Sagha'ir'') ( Q53:31–32), indicating that if an individual stays away from the major sins then they will be forgiven of the minor sins. Sources differ on the exact meanings of the different terms for sin used in the Islamic tradition.

Terminology

A number of different words for sin are used in the Islamic tradition.

According to A.J. Wensinck's entry in the Encyclopedia of Islam, Islamic terms for sin include ''dhanb'' and ''khaṭīʾa'', which are synonymous and refer to intentional sins; ''khiṭʾ'', which means simply a sin; and ''ithm'', which is used for grave sins.

According to Cyril Glasse, Islam recognizes two kinds of sin (''khati'ah''): ''dhanb'', a fault or shortcoming which is to be sanctioned; and ''ithm'', a willful transgression which is to be punished.

In scriptures

Semantic analysis of terminology in the Quran

Several different words are used in the Quran to describe sin—1) ''Dhanb'' 2) ''Ithm'' 3) ''Khati’ah'' 4) ''Jurm'' 5) ''Junah/Haraj''. By examining the choice of words in Quranic verses used in connection with these terms, scholars have attempted to determine which sins are associated with which terms.

Dhanb

''Dhanb'' (plural ''dhunub'') is frequently applied to heinous sins committed against Allah. One of the main examples of ''Dhanb'' in the Quran is of “crying lies of Allah’s signs”, or having excessive pride that prevents an individual from believing the signs of God.

This use of ''dhanb'' in the Quran exemplifies that this type of sin is punishable in the afterlife. In fact, ''dhanb'' is considered a ‘great’ sin and is often used in the Quran to contrast with ''sayyi’a'', which denotes a ‘smaller’ sin. The Quran states that if you avoid these great sins, your lesser evil deeds or sayyi’at will be forgiven.

Ithm

Some scholars believe the basic meaning of ''ithm'' to be an unlawful deed that is committed intentionally. This contrasts to ''dhanb'' in that ''dhanb'' can be both intentional and unintentional. However, this definition is somewhat nebulous and the best description of the word is based on the contextual situations. In the Quran, ''ithm'' is found quite frequently in legislative descriptions. For example, falsely accusing your own wife in order to gain money is constituted as an ''ithm'' ( Quran 4:24-20). However, ''ithm'' is also used in connection with ''haram'', or committing an unlawful deed, a taboo, such as consuming food or drink that is forbidden by God:

''Ithm'' is also associated with what is considered the worst sin of all, ''shirk''. ''Shirk'' signifies the accepting of a presence of other divinities at the side of God. The Quran states that:

This association with ''shirk'' is noteworthy for ''shirk'' is considered unforgivable if not repented of.

Khati’ah

''Khati’ah'' is considered by many scholars to be a “moral lapse” or a “mistake” This interpretation has led some scholars to believe that ''Khati’ah'' is a lesser sin than ithm; however, the word ''Khati’ah'' is frequently used in conjunction with ''ithm'' in the Quran.

"Say: "O my Servants who have transgressed against their souls! Despair not of the Mercy of Allah: for Allah forgives all sins: for He is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful." Surah Az Zumar, 39:53

Again, God says to the believers in a Hadith Qudsi:
"O son of Adam, so long as you call upon Me, and ask of Me, I shall forgive you for what you have done, and I shall not mind. O son of Adam, were your sins to reach the clouds of the sky and were you then to ask forgiveness of Me, I would forgive you. O son of Adam were you to come to Me with sins nearly as great as the earth, and were you then to face Me, ascribing no partner to Me, I would bring you forgiveness nearly as great as it."

This Quranic verse indicates that ''khati’ah'' is considered an ''ithm'', a grave sin. In fact, the word ''khati’ah'' is associated with some of the most heinous religious sins in the Quran. In one Quranic verse this word is used to describe the sin of slaying one's own children for fear of poverty. ( Quran 17:33-31). Scholars believe that ''dhanb'' or ''ithm'' could be used in place of ''khati’ah'' in this instance; however, the word choice indicates that ''khati’ah'' is more than just a moral lapse or mistake and is punishable. And all sins are eligible for forgiveness through God's mercy and repentance.

Jurm

The word ''Jurum'' is often considered to be a synonym of ''dhanb'' for it is used to describe some of the same sins: crying lies of God and not believing the signs of God. In the Quran, the word mostly appears in the form of ''mujrim'', one who commits a ''jurm''. These individuals are described in the Quran as having arrogance towards the believers.

Junah/Haraj

''Junah'' and ''Haraj'' have a similar meaning to that of ''ithm'', a sin that warrants a punishment. In fact, these words are used almost interchangeably with ''ithm'' in the same chapters in the Quran. Like ''ithm'', these words are found frequently in legislative portions of the Quran, particularly relating to regulations regarding
marriage and divorce.

Definition in Hadith

Sin is discussed extensively in the hadith, (the collection of Muhammad's sayings). It is reported by An-Nawwas bin Sam'an:

Wabisah bin Ma’bad reported:

In Sunan al-Tirmidhi, a Hadith is narrated:

In Sahih Muslim, Abu Ayyub al-Ansari and Abu Huraira narrated:

Repentance of sin

The Islamic concept of repentance for any sins and misdeeds is called ''tawba''.B. Silverstein ''Islam and Modernity in Turkey'' Springer 2011 page 124 It is a direct matter between a person and God, so there is no intercession or formal, ecclesiastical