Chapter 69

Question: How many greater sins are there?

Answer: There are different methods to recognize the greater sin and we indicate towards two of these methods.

1. Every action the doers of which has been promised by Allah punishment and chastisement in the Holy Quran. (Whether, it is clearly stated or indicated or it may be emphatic prohibited again and again). It is a greater sin.

2. Through the correct and authentic traditions that have reached us from the great leaders of Islam and in which the greater sins are clearly enumerated. For example the letter Imam Ali Ibn Moosa ar-Rida (‘a) had written to Mamoon the Abbaside Caliph. In the letter he has mentioned the number of greater sins. And in the same way is the tradition narrated by Amash from Imam Ja’far as-Sadiq (‘a). There is mention of many greater sins in this tradition. And the same is the condition of other traditions.

Now we shall describe a greater part of the greater sins which mentioned in ayats or traditions and pray to the Almighty Allah that He may five us the Taufeeq to shun all these sins.

1. Murder 2. Adultery 3. Wine 4. Leaving Prayer 5. Usurping the property of orphans
6. Fleeing the battlefield 7. Interest taking 8. Gambling 9. Oppression 10. Sodomy
11. Helping the oppressors 12. Supporting the oppressor 13. Denying the rights of people 14. Fighting the saints of Allah 15. Lying 16. Betrayal of trust. 17. Hurting the Parents
18. Accusing pure people falsely 19. Backbiting 20. Careless of the Anger and Punishment of Allah 21. Carelessness about performing the Hajj 22. Squandering and over spending 23. Pork 24. Blood 25. Eating dead meat 26. Eat the flesh of animal which is slaughtered without reciting the name of Allah 27. Despair from mercy of Allah 28. Weighing less. 29. Repeating smaller sins 30. Breaking off relations 31. Non payment of Zakat 32. Breaking of covenant 33. Concealing Testimony 34. False swearing.

The above-mentioned sins is a major portion of greater sins though according to the view of many scholars they are not limited to these.