Quran Garden

Today is the last of our mini-series about major sins in Islam.  Imam Jafar Al-Sadiq gave us a comprehensive list of such sins supported with evidence from the Quran, and we covered them one by one.  If you missed the pervious sessions, we encourage you to start with session.  In the previous session, we studied the first three items on the list.  Today we continue with the next three.    

Session 590

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)

The last, but not least, of the major sins on our list is severing family ties and breaking covenants.  Why?  Listen to the following sacred narration –Hadeeth Qudsi-  Allah says: "I am the All-Merciful. I created the womb and gave it the name الرَحِم, derived from My own name الرحمن  ‘The Merciful.’ So, whoever maintains ties with his womb and kin, I shall maintain ties with him. And, for whoever severs ties with his family, I shall sever ties with him."

The caliph Muawiyah was conversing with his cabinet when the doorman came and whispered in his ear, “a man claiming to be your brother is at the door.”   Muawiyah inquired further, but did not recognise the man.  He asked the doorman to let him in then asked, “Which brother of mine are you?!”  The man replied, “I am brother from Adam,” to which Muawiyah said, "A severed kinship...and I shall be the first to restore it."

The next major sin on our list is breaking promises.  If you fail to keep your word or a covenant made with another person, you erode the trust and weakens the community.  Keeping promises can bring peace of mind and resolve many issues for those in need.  Imagine lending money to a neighbor who repeatedly breaks their promise to repay you. How inclined would you be to assist someone else financially?  If you are blessed with money or strength, and you pledge to help someone less fortunate, fulfilling that promise builds trust and strengthens the community. Honesty fosters credibility and inspires others to share their resources too.  Thus, it is crucial that you are a Muslim with integrity. 

Each of the 16 major sins outlined by Imam Ja'far al-Sadiq can undermine society and ultimetly, dismantle it.  Sin runs contrary to faith because when faith is followed by all, harmony and peace flourishes in the community.  Imagine a society where all members follow the law of the Almighty Allah so no one acts arrogantly toward others, even kings and presidents.  No one commits adultry, accuses others in their honor, or exploits the poor with ususrious loans.  There is no murder and every witness is honest in court.  Islam is the Godly path to such society.   Thus, if you, a Muslim man or woman, commit one of these sins, you are chipping at the foundations of safety and peace.  God says,

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)

The key to prosperity is to prevent harm before promoting virtue.  You clean your house first, and then bring in a new piece of furniture.  Likewise, you must avoid the sins first.  Similarly, it's crucial to avoid sins first.  By doing so, Allah not only removes the punishment but also offers you an honorable path into His kingdom.  He says,

Those who did well will have the best reward and more besides. Neither darkness nor shame will cover their faces: these are the companions in Paradise, and there they will remain. (10:26)

I want to remind you that when you hear of someone taking action, it's important to understand that it aligns with their ability. A gift from a poor person is very different than a gift from the president.  Similarly, God's honorable invitation reflects His greatness. Just imagine what a noble entrance from God would be like!  Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, conveyed the following words from Allah to us: "I have prepared for My righteous servants that which no eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has ever imagined."  Listen to the following Aya,

No self knows what joy is kept hidden in store for them as a reward for what they have done. (32:17)

Before we move on to a new topic, let’s pause and learn more from the esteemed scholar of the Household of Prophet Muhammad: Ja'far al-Sadiq. He shared another Quranic gem with us— a guide to addressing every challenge life may throw your way, all backed by evidence from the Quran.  More specifically, Imam Al-Sadeq gave us precise solutions to manage diverse worries, adversity, distress, being conspired aganist, and worldly desires.  All these ailments plague the human psyche.  Listen to his advice,  

"I am amazed by a person who are troubled by five things, yet he or she does not seek refuge in five others.  Indeed, the horrors of life for man are fear, adversity, distress, being conspired against, and chasing the pleasures of life.  I am surprised by a person struk by fear but does not resort to the words of God in this verse:  'God is sufficient for us, and the best of protectors' (Chapter 3:Verse 173), for God has said in the verse right after that 'Hence they returned with a mighty blessing from God and a great bounty. They suffered no harm whatsoever, and they followed the good pleasure of God. Indeed, God is the Possessor of great bounty' (3:174). And I am amazed at a person inflicted by adversity, and yet he does not resort to the following words of God: 'Indeed, adversity has touched me, and You are the Most Merciful of all who show mercy' (21:83), for God Almighty has said in reply, 'We responded to him and removed from him the harm which was afflicting him' (21:84). Furthermore, I am astonished at a person stricken by distress, and yet he does not say the following words from the Quran: 'There is no God but You! Glory be to You! Truly I have been one of the wrongdoers' (21:87), for I heard God saying in response, 'So we heard his prayer and delivered him from his distress. And thus do we deliver true believers' (21:88). And I am amazed at a person who is conspired against and does not resort to the following words: 'I entrust my affairs to God. Indeed God is All-Seeing of His servants' (40:44), for I have heard God Almighty saying in the very next verse, 'So God safeguarded him from the evil things they plotted' (40:45).  I am amazed by a person feeling the allure of worldly pleasures, yet does not seek refuge in His words: 'It is as God wills, there is no power but in God.' For I have heard God, the Glorified, say immediately after it: 'Although you see me less than you in wealth and children, it may be that my Lord will give me something better than your garden.' (18:39-40)"

Congratulations! You just completed our mini-series on the major sins in Islam. What an achievnment! You've taken a significant step in empowering yourself with knowledge, and protecting your family.  This could be your ticket to Jannah!  If you value such knowledge, QuranGarden has more enlightening content coming your way, ready to inspire and uplift you.  Please subscribe, stay tuned, and share the treasures of the Quran with your loved ones.