Quran Garden

Congratulations!  You are halfway through our life-changing series on the 16 major sins in Islam.  Your commitment to Islam and learning is truly inspiring.  Today, we're diving deep into four more sins, uncovering truths that will transform your heart and soul and protect your family from the evils of these sins.  Let's begin.       

Session 587

Chapter 4

Verse 31

a continuation

If you avoid the major sins you have been forbidden, We shall absolve you of your minor misdeeds and let you in through the entrance of honor.  (Chapter 4: Verse 31)

Cowardice on the battlefield is another grave sin because fleeing conflict creates disorder and weakens the faith from within.  If enemies attack Islam, every Muslim must stand firm against them to prevent their incursion and uphold God's word as supreme.  Cowardice signals weak faith.  We should not be deceived by outward declarations of belief or words of bravado.  A true believer, confident at heart, doesn't fear battle, knowing martyrdom brings divine reward.  Cowardice not only disrupts the battle but also weakens faith within the community.  God says,

Say: "What do you await for us except for one of the two best things?  But what we await for you is for Allah to inflict a punishment on you either directly from Himself or at our hands.  So wait, we are waiting with you!" (9:52)

Likewise, the disbelievers face divine punishment, either directly from God or by the believers' hands.

God expects you to have unwavering faith, believing that giving up your life transfers you to a better existence.  However, Allah does not want you to be reckless or engage in suicidal acts.   He says,

If anyone does so on such a day, unless maneuvering to fight or to join a fighting group, he incurs the wrath of God, and Hell will be his home, a wretched destination!

(8:16)

Thus, Muslims should not enter battles unprepared or without hope of success, as it merely reduces the number of believers with no benefit.  A Muslim should only seek martyrdom if it ensures the safety or victory of the community.

For the next major sin on our list, we remain on the battlefield.  Theft from the spoils of war, known as "ghulool," is a grave sin.  It refers to instances when a Muslim, after defeating their enemies, illegally keeps the spoils, what we might call "loot" or "booty," such as weapons or other items from the enemy.  Why is it such a major sin?  We answer that when a soldier cheats and takes a spoil for personal gain, he undermines the entire purpose of the fight.  Warfare aims to elevate God's word above all.   God says,

It is inconceivable that a prophet would ever dishonestly take something from the battle gains.  Anyone who does so will carry it with him on the Day of Resurrection, when each soul will be fully repaid for what it has done: no one will be wronged.  (3:161)

The Arabic الغلول (Al-Ghulool) owes its origin to meat butchers.  When butchers skinned an animal, a few would dig their blade a little deep to carve some of the meat, then quickly fold the skin to hide the meat underneath.  In Islamic law, الغلول (Al-Ghulool) refers to the act of skimming the spoils of war, where, in the heat of battle, a fighter may find something valuable and conceal it.  Muslim fighters should be on the sole mission to make God's word superior.  How can he or she be preoccupied with grabbing and hiding the loot? 

In the Aya above, Allah set a general rule for all humanity: "Anyone who does so will carry it with him on the Day of Resurrection."  So if you are dishonest in any matter, God will bring it forth on the Day of Resurrection, as the Prophet, peace be upon him, told us:

"By God, if you take anything unlawfully, you will meet your Lord carrying it on the Day of Resurrection.  I do not want to see any of you meeting God with a camel growling, a cow mooing, or a sheep bleating on his back, then approach me for help and call 'O Messenger of God, O Muhammad, O Muhammad!' for I cannot avail you anything against Allah." Then he, peace be upon him, raised his hands to the heavens until the whiteness of his armpits was visible and said, "My Lord, I have conveyed the message."

The Prophet informs you that if you cheat others or take something unlawfully in secret –whether in war or peace-, you will carry it on your back on the Day of Resurrection, even if it is a camel or a cow.  And rest assured that whatever you bring will not stay quiet.  To the contrary, it will loudly announce itself for all creations to see.  How regrettable it would be if you had taken a donkey, for it would loudly bray?!  This is why one of the names of the Day of Judgment is al-Fadihah -the day when people's evil deeds are exposed.  And if you get yourself in this kind of trouble, Prophet Muhammad tells us that he will not be able to help you.  So, do not count on his help if you commit (Al-Ghulool).

The next major sin is the immersive false oath, known as "yamin ghamus."  Why?  Because it causes societal disorder, loss of trust, and the destruction of justice.  It's called "immersive",ghamus, because there is no expiation.  If you knowingly and purposefully invoke God's name in a matter you know is false, the only remedy is a dip into Hellfire for swearing falsely.  Whether you claim that something has occurred when you know it did not, or you deny something that did happen, such deceit raises falsehood over the truth, leading judges to make the wrong decision.  Lawyers,  police, and law enforcement intent on injustice can always find witnesses willing to swear falsely, creating insecurity in people's lives and affairs.

The false oath is closely related to the next sin on our list, which is bearing false testimony, as it undermines the judicial system and erodes the cornerstone of people's trust in their government.  It was narrated that the Prophet, may God bless him and grant him peace, said: "Shall I not inform you of the greatest of the major sins?" We said: "Yes, O Messenger of God." He said, "Associating partners with God and disobeying parents." He had been reclining, then he sat up and said, "Beware of false speech and false testimony!  Beware of false speech and false testimony." He kept repeating it until we said, "If only he would stop!"

We invite you to continue this journey with us.  Please tune in next week as we take a deep dive into the grave sin of sorcery and magic.  If you value the Islamic knowledge you gain here, please share it with a dear friend.