Sin

In a religious context, sin is an act of transgression against divine law. In Islamic ethics, Muslims see sin as anything that goes against the commands of Allah (God).

105505

Sin . Hijab . Girl . Baligh

Is it a sin to not wear Hijab once a girl becomes Baligh, even if she is not mentally ready for it? And when does one become Baligh?

Amina Inloes, Amina Inloes is originally from the US and has a PhD in Islamic Studies from the University of Exeter on Shi'a hadith. She is the program leader for the MA Islamic Studies program at the... Answer updated 1 day ago

The previous answer is complete; I just wanted to add that "not being mentally ready" could mean a number of different things.

My first impression when reading that was that it could mean she is not mentally ready to wear the hijab in a minority society (or a Muslim area where hijab is uncommon) - for instance, at a school where there are no other girls who wear hijab, and she might be under pressure to explain herself (but not be able to do so yet), or be teased, ostracized, or bullied, especially if she is shy or sensitive and does not have an assertive personality or a strong ability to stand up for herself.

In some places, Islamophobic harassment might also be a concern.

Not that it necessarily has anything to do with her personal sexuality.

I just wanted to add that because sometimes there is a tendency to discuss the hijab wholly in the context of sexuality or modesty, wheres in minority societies, the main challenges and pressures regarding hijab are usually social and relate to things like Islamophobia.

In any case, it is good to acknowledge, respect, and nurture the inherent maturity of young people. Even if they are still maturing in many ways, throughout much of history, young people have taken on many lifelong commitments at a young age, such as apprenticing to a profession, training in sports or the arts, or a religious conversion. Of course it is also good to acknowledge the limits of a child's maturity, since one doesn't expect someone who is 9 to be mature in every way. Still, in this day and age, in some societies, everyone who is under 18 is treated as a child which does not benefit them either; it is good to have a balance.

Sin . Hijab . Girl . Baligh

Is it a sin to not wear Hijab once a girl becomes Baligh, even if she is not mentally ready for it? And when does one become Baligh?

Zaid Alsalami, Shaykh Dr Zaid Alsalami is an Iraqi born scholar, raised in Australia. He obtained a BA from Al-Mustafa University, Qom, and an MA from the Islamic College in London. He also obtained a PhD from... Answered 5 days ago

Bismihi ta'ala

Inner and outer modesty, chastity and hijab is something Almighty God has mandated for all men and women.

It is necessary for us as Muslims to familiarise ourselves with the many benefits of inner and outer hijab, and the earlier we learn this the better.

Young boys need to be modest, and so do young girls, even though they might not be intellectually mature enough. As long as they are aware of their surroundings, and have entered into the age of religious maturity, they become responsible and accountable for what they do.

This is what bulugh and takleef means.

Furthermore, being modest and having hijab does not necessarily mean one is sexually active. It is a process of engaging with the natural and mental development of a male/female.

An Islamic lifestyle prepares us for the world, and whether this particular girl might be mentally ready or not, she must adapt to what it is that our religion wants from us, as the Almighty has accommodated to all that is required for us in our natural needs as humans.

A young girl who reaches the age of taklif will realise how beneficial and positive hijab is when she prioritises her spiritual and moral conduct over everything else, and she will realise how intellectually mature she becomes.

As for the age of bulugh, for a female it is completion of 9 lunar years. For a male, it is the occuring of one of the following, whichever one occurs first is the sign of his bulugh:

1. having a wet-dream.
2. growth of thick pubic hair.
3. completing of 15 lunar years.

And Allah knows best.

101761

Music . Sin

Will I be sinful if I come across music that playing on the street or in some shops and I had no choice but to listen to it?

Bismihi ta'ala

There is a difference between "listening" and "hearing". You have no control of your surroundings, when you are going shopping or in the street, and hence it will not be sinful.

And Allah knows best.

101050

Sin . Death

Is it possible for someone to get sins after they die? If so, can you please explain how and provide some evidence for it?

In the Sunni hadith books, it is mentioned that if a person establishes a bad practice, and others continue that practice after them, then that person will continue to be burdened with more sins due to his/her legacy.

I cannot really think offhand of any hadith specifically through Shi'i chains that say that, but if someone finds some, they can provide them.

In any case, one could argue that the idea seems correct or incorrect, rationally. It seems just that someone who starts something evil or wrong will continue to be held accountable for it. However, a dead person has no control over what people choose to do after them, and people also bear some responsibility for ignorance and blind following.

As with so many matters, God knows best.

100534

Sin

Can you recommend me a book, other than Greater Sins, that details more sins including the lesser known ones?

Sayyed Mohammad Al-Musawi, Sayyed Mohammad al-Musawi is originally from Iraq and heads up the World Ahlul Bayt Islamic League in London. Other than being involved in various humanitarian projects, he frequently responds to... Answered 2 months ago

Hodood al-Sharia (al-Muharramaat) by Shaikh Aasif Mohsini. Published by Bostan Buplicatiins, Iran. حدود الشريعة - المحرمات للشيخ آصف ٬محسني

This book which is in Arabic has more details about Sins.

May Allah forgive us and protect us from all sins.

Wassalam.

99852

Islam . Hijab . Sin . Conversion to Islam . Art

As a recent convert to Islam I have started wearing the Hijab. However, there are pictures of mine out there, without the Hijab, that were taken earlier. Is that counted as a sin?

You should try your best to get your previous pictures ( with out Hijab) and keep them away from public display. If you could not get all of them, you will not be responsible about them as you were not a Muslim when the photos were displayed. Now when you are a Muslim, it is not sin on you as it is out of your ability to remove it.

Wassalam.

Islam . Hijab . Sin . Conversion to Islam . Art

As a recent convert to Islam I have started wearing the Hijab. However, there are pictures of mine out there, without the Hijab, that were taken earlier. Is that counted as a sin?

Bishimi ta'ala

Congratulations on adorning the attire of Islam and wearing hijab. In regards to previous images of you without hijab, no, it is not considered a sin. What you are able to do is for your comfort and peace of mind, if you have access to these images, ask them to be kindly removed, and hopefully they will comply.

With prayers for your success.

96160

Salah (Prayers) . Sin . Divine Love

I recently started praying, but I don't really look forward to prayers. It is also difficult for me to give up certain sins. How do I become truly religious and start loving Allah, the daily prayers, the Quran and Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)?

When you have started praying after a gap, it means that you have returned to your Creator who is showering on you every bounty that you are enjoying, whether you know it or you don’t know it. Those who pray to Allah are the faithful people who do not face the Bounty with bad action. And those who don’t pray to Allah are the people who react to the good by bad. That is why those who don’t pray to Allah will be facing very terrible punishment. In fact we find in Quran ( Sura 74, Verse42) that when some Muslim sinners will be sent to the hell fire, the people of fire will ask them : What did bring you to the hell fire. They will reply : We were not performing “Salah “Lam Na Kuminal Musalleen”. A prophetic Hadeeth says that the difference between us “Believers” and the non-believers is performing Salah. Anyone who does not believe in Salah has become non-believer. Performing Salah is not an option but it is must on every human being who respects himself and respects his intellect. When you think about your relationship with Allah, you will see that like the oxygen in your breathing is the main reason for your body to remain alive. Salah/Namaz/Prayers is the oxygen for your soul and spirit to remain real human being. While you pray Salah, always remember that you are talking to Allah directly, so keep your heart most humble and remember your sinful acts to seek forgiveness. When we pray Salah, it is recommended that we pray as if this is our last Salah in our life because we are not sure that we may be or not be alive till the next time of Salah.
We need to focus on the quality of our Salah, as it is not only standing and facing the Qibla and doing Qiyam, Ruku and Sojood, but we need to keep our heart dedicated and oriented towards Allah (S.W.T.) during Salah.
Real Salah with heart, intention, with sincerity will definitely change your life in a very big manner. The Ulama say that those who perform Salah on time with sincerity and concentration, their life will change in a great way to the best of Life. All your concerns and your question about leaving a sinful acts will be automatically solved if you focus on your Salah and try to keep your Salah with quality, with heart, with dedication, with real orientation and talk to Allah in your Salah as if you are talking to someone in front of you. Your proper and sincere and dedicated Salah will make you love Allah more, and love the Prophet and Alhlulbayt more and become a very good human being. Focus on your Salah it is the key after your proper faith . Your dedicated Salah is the key to successful life here and hereafter.
Wassalam.

96227

Masturbation . Sin . Husband . Wife . Video Game

Why is masturbation considered a major sin and what are the references for it? Are there any exceptions? Is it allowed between a husband and wife, who are prevented from being together by circumstances outside their control, privately over live video?

Seyed Ali Shobayri, Seyed Ali Shobayri is of mixed Iranian and Scottish descent who found the path of the Ahlul Bayt (a) by his own research. He holds a BA in Islamic Studies from Middlesex University through the... Answered 3 months ago

Bismillah,

Asalamu Alaykom,

According to the narrations, masturbation is a sin and is compared to doing zina with oneself.

We have an example of when Imam Ali (as) had to discipline someone for doing so:

“Once a person was caught masturbating and was brought to Imam 'Ali. The Imam punished him by beating his hands until they turned red; then he made an arrangement for his marriage on government's expenses.

(Wasa'il, vol. 14, p. 267; vol. 18, pp. 574-5)”

Some non Muslim doctors and teachers may try to encourage such acts and say they are ‘healthy’ but such advice which contradicts the divine teachings is worthless.

Masturbation is usually associated with haram acts such as pornography and can turn into an unhealthy addiction which affects one both physically and psychologically.

A Muslim should try their upmost to have self control and dignity. Therefore, seeking marriage whether permanent or temporary is necessary to protect one’s private parts.

A husband or wife may mutually stimulate each other’s private parts; for example, the wife masturbating the husband and vice-versa. If they are away from each other then they cannot use their own hands for such an action until being together.

May Allah swt grant you success

96073

Forgiveness . Sin . Repentance (Tawbah)

I have been unable to pray for a long time. I have been sinning and, although I repented a lot, but I keep doing them again to a point where I am too ashamed to ask for forgiveness. Is there a way out?

Forgiveness Gate is open for all the believers in Allah who committed sinful acts as far as they did not reach to dying situation. Allah (SWT) loves those who repent and sincerely decide not to continue sinning and seek forgiveness. The Hadeeth Qudsi reported the Allah says: I love those who repent their sins and leave and my love is more to the young person who sincerely repents his sins and decides not to commit is again.

There is no question of feeling ashamed as far as you are really repenting and sincerely doing your best to make up what you have missed.

Do your best to fulfill the obligatory worship and trust the Allah is The Most Merciful and The Best Forgiver.

Those who are not sure and don't care for leaving the sinful acts and making up the missed worship should feel ashamed.

May Allah (SWT) protect all of us from any sinful act.

'Wassalam.

97778

Zina . Forgiveness . Future . Spouse . Sin . Repentance (Tawbah)

I have committed Zina in the past and have repented and asked for forgiveness. Is there anything else I can do to ensure I am forgiven? Am I also required to tell my future spouse about my sin?

Bishimi ta'ala

I will not lecture you about God's comparison and mercy, as you must be well aware of how the Almighty forgives all sins, and cleans our slates once we turn to Him with sincere repentance.

It is forgetting the past that you must be focusing on, and how you are able to develop a level of piety that you will enter into a new phase in your life, based on religious devotion and spiritual growth. That will not just ensure you've been forgiven, but also keep you on the straight path.

Your sin is between you and Allah ta'ala, and you must not reveal it to anybody. From a shar'i perspective, you do not need to tell your future spouse your previous sin.

Once you have changed your ways and sincerely forgiven, and became more religiously active and aware, then you live your life normally, and think positively for the future, not allowing the past to define who you are.

With prayers for your success.

97727

Animals . Food . Sin

How is violence and non-violence defined in Islam? How does the violent killing of animals for food not amount to a sin?

Zoheir Ali Esmail, Shaykh Zoheir Ali Esmail has a Bsc in Accounting and Finance from the LSE in London, and an MA in Islamic Studies from Middlesex University. He studied Arabic at Damascus University and holds a PhD... Answered 4 months ago

Bismillah

Thank you for your question. Violence is not tantamount to sin in Islam and so the slaughtering of animals, fishing, eating lawful eggs, the picking of not fully ripened fruits and the uprooting of vegetables for the sake of sustenance is not considered sinful.

May you always be successful