What are the major sins in Islam?

As humans we make mistakes and commit sins, that’s our nature, and the best of us are those who repent for their mistakes.

But, what are the major sins in Islam? how to repent? And what is the best dua for forgiveness? That’s what we will find out in this article, let’s get started.

7 major sins in Islam.

We can learn about the 7 deadly sins of Islam from the hadith of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). The prophet said:

“Avoid the seven sins that doom a person to Hell.” We said: What are they, O Messenger of Allah? He said: “Associating others with Allah (shirk); witchcraft; killing a soul whom Allah has forbidden us to kill, except in cases dictated by Islamic law; consuming orphans’ wealth; consuming riba; fleeing from the battlefield; and slandering chaste, innocent women.” [narrated by al-Bukhari and Muslim, in as-Sahihayn]

From the above hadith, we understand that the major sins in Islam are:

shirk (Associating others with Allah).
killing.
consuming orphans’ wealth.
consuming riba.
fleeing from the battlefield
slandering chaste (innocent women).

Let’s discuss each one of them in more detail:

1. Shirk.

Shirk means worshipping other gods. Shirk is one of the major sins in Islam and if the person died as a disbeliever will go to hell. Allah says in the Holy Quran regarding shirk:

“Verily, whosoever sets up partners in worship with Allah, then Allah has forbidden Paradise for him, and the Fire will be his abode. And for the Zalimun (polytheists and wrongdoers) there are no helpers.” [al-Maidah 5:72]

“And indeed it has been revealed to you (O Muhammad (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him)), as it was to those (Allah’s messengers) before you: “If you join others in worship with Allah, (then) surely (all) your deeds will be in vain, and you will certainly be among the losers.” [az-Zumar 39:65]

“It is not for the Mushrikun (polytheists, idolaters, pagans, disbelievers in the Oneness of Allah), to maintain the Mosques of Allah (i.e. to pray and worship Allah therein, to look after their cleanliness and their building, etc.), while they witness against their own selves of disbelief. The works of such are in vain and in Fire shall they abide.” [at-Tawbah 9:17]

2. Witchcraft.

Witchcraft involves shirk, as the person who does witchcraft seeks the help of Jinn to hurt people and cause them harm.

Witchcraft involves shirk because it is worshipping the jinn and seeking the help of the jinn to misguide people.

Allah said in the Holy Quran:

“…their ropes and their sticks, by their magic, appeared to him as though they moved fast.” [Ta-Ha 20:66]

“So when they threw, they bewitched the eyes of the people, and struck terror into them, and they displayed a great magic.” [al-A’raf 7:116]

“And from the evil of the witches when they blow in the knots.” [al-Falaq 113:4]

3. Killing.

Killing is one of the major sins in Islam, because who are we to take a soul? As Muslims, we shouldn’t hurt others with words, and we are punished for such acts, can you Imagin what happens to the person who takes the soul of another human?

Allah says in the Holy Quran:

“And whoever kills a believer intentionally, his recompense is Hell to abide therein, and the Wrath and the Curse of Allah are upon him, and a great punishment is prepared for him.” [an-Nisa 4:93]

4. Consuming Riba.

One of the 7 deadly sins in Islam is Riba, which we can clearly understand from the holy Quran that it is forbidden. Allah said in the Holy Quran:

“Allah has permitted trading and forbidden Riba.” [al-Baqarah 2:275]

“O you who believe! Fear Allah and give up what remains (due to you) from Riba (from now onward) if you are (really) believers. And if you do not do it, then take notice of war from Allah and His Messenger.” [al-Baqarah 2:278]

As Muslims we should avoid committing the major sins in Islam, some people may take something like Riba lightly but to Allah, it is one of the major sins.

5. Consuming orphans’ wealth.

Some people only care about Money and wealth and instead of giving the wealth of orphans to them or taking care of their wealth until they reach a certain age, they take it to themselves, thinking that no one would notice forgetting that Allah can see them and that they will go to hell for their doing. Consuming orphans’ wealth is one of the major sins in Islam.

Allah said in the Holy Quran:

“And give to the orphans their properties and do not substitute the defective [of your own] for the good [of theirs]. And do not consume their properties into your own. Indeed, that is ever a great sin” [Quran 4:2].

Indeed, those who devour the property of orphans unjustly are only consuming into their bellies fire. And they will be burned in a Blaze (i.e., Hellfire)” [Quran 4:10].

6. Fleeing from the battlefield.

One of the 7 deadly sins in Islam is Fleeing from the battlefield. Muslims should stand their ground not fearing death, knowing that they will be rewarded in the afterlife.

Allah said in the holy Quran: “O believers! When you face the disbelievers in battle, never turn your back to them.

And whoever does so on such an occasion—unless it is a maneuver or to join their own troops—will earn the displeasure of Allah, and their home will be Hell. What an evil destination!” [al-Anfal 15:16]

7. Slandering chaste.

Accusing innocent believing women of adultery is one of the major sins in Islam. The one who Slandering chaste will go to hell.

Allah, may He be exalted, says in the holy Quran: “And those who accuse chaste women, and produce not four witnesses, flog them with eighty stripes” [an-Nur 24:4].

These are the seven sins that doom a person to Hell because they are so evil. We ask Allah to keep us safe and sound.” (Adapted from the website of Shaykh Ibn Baz)

Is Murder in Islam a Major Sin?

Yes, murder or killing is one of the major sins in Islam. Allah says in the Holy Quran:

“And whoever kills a believer intentionally, his recompense is Hell to abide therein; and the Wrath and the Curse of Allah are upon him, and a great punishment is prepared for him” [al-Nisa 493]

The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “A man will continue to be sound in his religion so long as he does not shed blood which it is forbidden to shed.”

What are the consequences of major sins in Islam?

If the person didn’t repent for committing one of the major sins in Islam he will go to hell. Committing a sin extinguishes the light of the heart, the person will slowly lose his faith in Allah and his heart will be filled with darkness instead of light and hope.

How to erase significant sins in Islam?

If you want your major sins to be forgiven repent to Allah and don’t return to them again.

The Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said:

“All the sons of Adam are sinners, but the best of sinners are those who continue to repent.” (Narrated by At-Tirmizi)

Allah is the most merciful and forgiving, he will accept your repentance as long as you mean it and you don’t return to doing the sins again. Allah said in the Holy Quran:

“Say: ‘O ‘Ibaadi (My slaves) who have transgressed against themselves (by committing evil deeds and sins)! Despair not of the Mercy of Allaah, verily, Allaah forgives all sins. Truly, He is Oft‑Forgiving, Most Merciful” [al-Zumar 39:53]

“Except those who repent and believe (in Islamic Monotheism), and do righteous deeds; for those, Allaah will change their sins into good deeds, and Allaah is Oft‑Forgiving, Most Merciful.

And whosoever repents and does righteous good deeds; then verily, he repents towards Allaah with true repentance” [al-Furqaan 25:70-71]

Allah will erase all your sins and mistakes when you repent to him, so have faith in Allah, ask for his forgiveness, and don’t listen to anyone who tells you it is too late to repent, because it is never too late.

Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: The punishment for sin is lifted from a person by means of ten things:

1. Repentance.

Allah says:

“Know they not that Allaah accepts repentance from His slaves and takes the Sadaqah (alms, charity), and that Allaah Alone is the One Who forgives and accepts repentance, Most Merciful?” [al-Tawbah 9:104]

“And He is Who accepts repentance from His slaves, and forgives sins”[al-Shoora 42:25]

2. Praying for forgiveness.

It was narrated in al-Saheehayn that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “If a person commits a sin, then says, ‘O Lord, I have committed a sin so forgive me,’ He says, ‘My slave knows that he has a Lord Who may forgive sins or punish for it; I have forgiven My slave…’” (Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 6953; Muslim, 4953)

3. Doing good deeds which wipe out sins.

Allah says:

“And perform As‑Salaah (Iqaamat‑as‑ Salaah), at the two ends of the day and in some hours of the night [i.e. the five compulsory Salaah (prayers)]. Verily, the good deeds remove the evil deeds (i.e. small sins)” [Hood 11:114]

And the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “The five daily prayers and Jumu’ah (Friday prayers) and Ramadan take away the bad deeds between one and the next if you avoid major sins.” (Narrated by Muslim, 344).

And he said: “Whoever fasts Ramadan out of faith and the hope of reward, his previous sins will be forgiven.” (Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 37; Muslim, 1268).

And he said: “Whoever spends the night of Laylat al-Qadr in prayer out of faith and the hope of reward, his previous sins will be forgiven.” (Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 1768).

And he said: “Whoever performs Pilgrimage to this House, and does not behave in an obscene or immoral manner, he will go back free of sin like the day his mother gave birth to him.” (Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 1690).

And he said: “The expiation for the fitnah caused to a man by his family, wealth and children is prayer, fasting, enjoining what is good and forbidding what is evil.” (Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 494, Muslim, 5150).

And he said: “Whoever frees a believing slave, for each of (the slave’s) limbs Allaah will free one of his limbs from the Fire…” (Narrated by Muslim, 2777).

4. The dua of the believers for the believer.

It was narrated from ‘Aa’ishah and Anas ibn Maalik that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “There is no Muslim who dies, and a group of Muslims numbering one hundred pray for him, all of them interceding for him, but their intercession for him will be accepted.” (Narrated by Muslim, 1576).

It was narrated that Ibn ‘Abbaas said: “I heard the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) say: ‘There is no Muslim man who dies, and forty men pray the funeral prayer for him, not associating anything with Allaah, but Allaah will accept their intercession for him.’” (Narrated by Muslim, 1577). This refers to praying for him after he has died.

5. Good deeds on behalf of the deceased.

Doing good deeds on behalf of the deceased can erase his sins. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Whoever dies owing any (obligatory) fasts, his heir should fast them on his behalf.” (Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 5210; Muslim, 4670).

6. The intercession of the Prophet and others on the Day of Resurrection.

The prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “My intercession will be for those among my ummah who have committed major sins.” (Classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh Abi Dawood, 3965).

Also, the prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “I was given the choice between admitting half of my ummah to Paradise and intercession, and I chose intercession.” (Saheeh al-Jaami’, 3335).

7. Calamities by means of which Allah expiates sins in this world.

The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “No tiredness, exhaustion, worry, grief, distress or harm befalls a believer in this world, not even a thorn that pricks him, but Allaah expiates some of his sins thereby.” (Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 5210; Muslim, 4670).

8. The torment of the grave.

9. The horrors, distress, and hardship of the Day of Resurrection.

10 – The mercy and forgiveness of Allah.

Dua for the forgiveness of major sins in Islam.

Here are some of the best duas to recite for the forgiveness in Islam of the major sins:

1-رَبَّنَا ظَلَمْنَا أَنفُسَنَا وَإنْ لَمْ تَغْفِرْلَنَا وَتَرْحَمْنَا لَنَكُونَنَّ مِنَ الخَاسِرِينَ

Our Lord! We have wronged ourselves. If You do not forgive us and have mercy on us, we will certainly be lost.

Rabbana zalamna anfusana wa-in lam taghfir lana wa-tarhamna la-nakunanna minal-khasirin

(Surah Al-A’raf, 7:23)

2-سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ وَبِحَمْدِهِ أَسْتَغْفِرُ اللَّهَ وَأَتُوبُ إِلَيْهِ

Glory be to Allah (Allah is free from imperfection), and I begin with praising Him. I beg forgiveness from Allah and I turn to Him in repentance.

Subhaana-Allahi wa bihamdihi, Astaghfirullaha, wa atuubu ilaihi

(Sahih Muslim)

3-اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لِي مَا قَدَّمْتُ وَمَا أَخَّرْتُ، وَمَا أَسْرَرْتُ وَمَا أَعْلَنْتُ وَمَا أَنْتَ أَعْلَمُ بِهِ مِنِّي، أَنْتَ المُقَدِّمُ وَأَنْتَ المُؤَخِّرُ وَأَنْتَ عَلَى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِير

O Allah! Forgive me for those sins which I committed in the past and that which I may commit in the future, the sins that I have committed in privacy or in public, and all the sins of which You are better aware of it than I am of myself. You are The One who brings forward and reprieves as You wish and indeed You are over all things capable.

Allahumma-ghfir lii maa qaddamtu wa maa akh-khortu wa maa asrortu wa maa a’lantu wa maa anta a’lamu bihi minnii, anta Al-Muqaddimu wa anta Al-Muakh-khiru wa anta alaa kulli shai-in qadir

(Sahih Muslim)

4-رَبَّنَا فَاغْفِرْ لَنَا ذُنُوبَنَا وَكَفِّرْ عَنَّا سَيِّئَاتِنَا وَتَوَفَّنَا مَعَ الأَبْرَارِ

Our Lord! Forgive our sins, remove from us our misdeeds, and grant that we join the righteous when we die.

Rabbana faghfir lana zunuubana wa-kaffir anna sayyi-aatina wa-tafawwafaa maal-abrar

(Surah Ali Imran, 3:193)

5-اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لِي ذَنْبِي، وَوَسِّعْ لِي فِي دَارِي، وَبَارِكْ لِي فِي رِزْقِي

Oh Allah, forgive my sins, make my home ample for me, and bless me in my sustenance.

Allahumma-ghfir lii zanbii, wa-wassi’ lii fii daarii, wa-baarik lii fii rizqii

(Al-Azkar, Imam An-Nawawi)

6-رَبِّ اِنِّىْٓ اَعُوْذُ بِكَ اَنْ اَسْـــَٔـلَكَ مَا لَيْسَ لِيْ بِهٖ عِلْمٌ ۭ وَاِلَّا تَغْفِرْ لِيْ وَتَرْحَمْنِيْٓ اَكُنْ مِّنَ الْخٰسِرِيْنَ

O my Lord! I seek refuge with You from asking You that of which I have no knowledge. And unless You forgive me and have Mercy on me, I would indeed be one of the losers.

Rabbi Inneee A-o’od’u Bika An As-alaka Maa Laysa Lee Bihee I’lm Wa Illaa Taghfirlee Wa Tarh’amneee Akum Minal Khaasireen

[Surah Hud – 11:47]

7-رَبِّ اغْفِرْ لِي رَبِّ اغْفِرْ لِي

Lord, forgive me. My Lord, forgive me.

Rabbighfir lee, Rabbighfir lee

[An-Nasa’i: 1146, 1666 Abu Dawud: 874]

8-اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لِي، وَارْحَمْنِي، وَاهْدِنِي، وَاجْبُرْنِي، وَعَافِنِي، وَارْزُقْنِي، وَارْفَعْنِي

O Allah forgive me, have mercy on me, guide me, support me, protect me, provide for me and elevate me.

Allaahum-maghfir lee, warhamnee, wahdinee, wajburnee, wa ‘aafinee, warzuqnee, warfa’nee

[Ibn Majah: 3845, 1517 At-Tirmidhi: 284]

9-اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لِي ذَنْبِي كُلَّهُ، دِقَّهُ وَجِلَّهُ، وَأَوَّلَهُ وَآخِرَهُ وَعَلَانِيَتَهُ وَسِرَّهُ

O Allah, forgive me all my sins, great and small, the first and the last, those that are apparent and those that are hidden.

Allaahum-maghfir lee thanbee kullahu, diqqahu wa jillahu, wa ‘awwalahu wa ‘aakhirahu wa ‘alaaniyata hu wa sirrahu.

Abu Dawud: 878

10-اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي ظَلَمْتُ نَفْسِي ظُلْماً كَثِيراً، وَلَا يَغْفِرُ الذُّنُوبَ إِلَّا أَنْتَ، فَاغْفِرْ لِي مَغْفِرَةً مِنْ عِنْدِكَ وَارْحَمْنِي إِنَّكَ أَنْتَ الْغَفُورُ الرَّحِيمُ

O Allah, I have greatly wronged myself and no one forgives sins but You. So, grant me forgiveness and have mercy on me. Surely, you are Forgiving, Merciful.

Allaahumma ‘innee dhalamtu nafsee dhulman katheeran, wa laa yaghfiruth-thunooba ‘illaa ‘Anta, faghfir lee maghfiratan min ‘indika warhamnee ‘innaka ‘Antal-Ghafoorur-Raheem

An-Nasa’i: 1303, Al-Bukhari: 834, 6326, 7387, 7388

11-اللّهُـمَّ إِنَّـي أَسْـأَلُـكَ بِرَحْمَـتِكَ الّتي وَسِـعَت كُلَّ شيء، أَنْ تَغْـفِرَ لِي

O Allah, I ask You by Your mercy, which encompasses all things, that You forgive me.

Allaahumma ‘innee ‘as’aluka birahmatikal-latee wasi’at kulla shay’in ‘an taghfira lee

Ibn Majah: 1753

12-اللَّهُمَّ أَنْتَ رَبِّي لَّا إِلَهَ إِلَّا أَنْتَ، خَلَقْتَنِي وَأَنَا عَبْدُكَ، وَأَنَا عَلَى عَهْدِكَ وَوَعْدِكَ مَا اسْتَطَعْتُ، أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ شَرِّ مَا صَنَعْتُ، أَبُوءُ لَكَ بِنِعْمَتِكَ عَلَيَّ، وَأَبُوءُ بِذَنْبِي فَاغْفِر لِي فَإِنَّهُ لَا يَغْفِرُ الذُّنُوبَ إِلَّا أَنْتَ.

Allahumma anta rabbee la ilaha illa ant, khalaqtanee wa-ana AAabduk, wa-ana AAala AAahdika wawaAAdika mas-tataAAt, aAAoothu bika min sharri ma sanaAAt, aboo-o laka biniAAmatika AAalay, wa-aboo-o bithanbee, faghfir lee fa-innahu la yaghfiruth-thunooba illa ant.

O Allah, You are my Lord, none has the right to be worshipped except You, You created me and I am Your servant and I abide by Your covenant and promise as best I can, I take refuge in You from the evil of which I have committed. I acknowledge Your favor upon me and I acknowledge my sin, so forgive me, for verily none can forgive sin except You.

Al-Bukhari 7:150

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What are the major sins in Islam?