80. Can a single sin change the destination of an individual?
Sometimes, a single virus can enter the body and cause paralysis to the entire body. Sometimes a single spark can result in the burning down of an entire area. Sometimes, a single thought of jealousy can turn in to a plot to kill Yousef AS. Sometimes, consuming sinful food1 or the desire to reach a position of governance and power, causes mankind to stoop down to the point of killing Imam Hussein AS. Generally, each sin is the ground work for a larger one. On this issue, the Qur’an states:
بَلَىٰ مَن كَسَبَ سَيِّئَةً وَأَحَاطَتْ بِهِ خَطِيئَتُهُ فَأُولَـٰئِكَ أَصْحَابُ النَّارِ ۖ هُمْ فِيهَا خَالِدُونَ
“Not so; whoso earns evil, and is encompassed by his transgression -- those are the inhabitants of the Fire; there they shall dwell forever.”2
If the curtain of modesty is torn, sinning becomes easy. That’s why in Dua-e-Kumail we read:
اللهم اغفر لى الذنوب التى تهتك العصم
Oh God… please forgive me for those sins I have committed that tear the curtain of chastity and purity.
- Parables: Important Questions – Simple Answers
- Dedication
- Publishers Note
- 1. Why did God create the world, mankind and everything in it?
- 2. What is the role of faith in God in the life of mankind?
- 3. Is God in need of our worship that he has commanded us to pray and face the Kaaba (Qibla)?
- 4. Why are the pious and righteous people on the receiving end of problems and calamities, while wrongdoers and sinners live in comfort?
- 5. How can it be that the acceptance of all our deeds is conditional upon the acceptance of one action - our prayers?
- 6. How can the rewards of some deeds be immeasurable?
- 7. Aren’t the similes of animals used in the Qur’an for some people slander and insult?
- 8. How can we be able to see realities the way they are?
- 9. Are all Muslims “Faithful Believers”, or is there a difference between being a Muslim and being a Faithful Believer?
- 10. Is the responsibility of “Enjoining what is Right and Forbidding what is Evil” the responsibility of all Muslims or a certain group of Muslims?
- 11. Given that Allah SWT only accepts the work of pious individuals, isn’t that reason for the common individual and sinners to lose hope?
- 12. Why is there a need for a Divine Book for mankind?
- 13. What can we do so that we can live comfortably in this world?
- 14. Why is it that in Islam the value of our deeds is dependent on our intention that our deeds are for the nearness and sincerity (towards Allah SWT)?
- 15. Are all good deeds performed rewarded tenfold?
- 16. Why do we fear death?
- 17. Why is it that some of our prayers/supplications are not answered?
- 18. Does Islam want us to be constantly reciting supplications all the time with the all these supplications available to us?
- 19. How involved is God in planning the bitter and pleasant events of our lives?
- 20. If praying is supposed to stop people from doing shameful and unjust deeds, why is it that some people that pray are also perpetrators of offences?
- 21. What is our duty where the enjoining of good and the forbidding of wrong has no effect?
- 22. In today’s world, life without connections with others is not possible, so how can we say “Nor West, Nor East?”29
- 23. How can it be said that by simply saying a single sentence: “La Illah Ila Allah”, that a person will prosper?
- 24. How can one say that “I will be patient with the punishment of hellfire but I do not have the patience of separation from the Lord…”?
- 25. How can we control our sexual instincts?
- 26. Are people free willed, or predestined? What are the boundaries of free will?
- 27. Why is it that Allah SWT will not accept any deed within which there was an atom of hypocrisy or shirk33?
- 28. Allah SWT is “Mahram” to everyone, so why is it that in prayers men and women must cover themselves?
- 29. What can we do to increase our spirituality capacity (self-annihilation)?
- 30. What sins will Allah SWT not forgive?
- 31. What is the meaning of the remembrance of Allah SWT in all circumstances and why is there so much advice on this matter?
- 32. How should one deal with partners and children of the family that are not of the same thoughts?
- 33. Why does Allah SWT provide reprieve to oppressors and sinners?
- 34. What is the meaning of Awaiting the Imam of Our Time (May his return be hastened)? Does that mean silence and non-resistance towards oppression and wrong?
- 35. With so many apparent inconsistencies and abnormalities, how can we be considered to have an Islamic System?
- 36. How should we view the unbelievers and immoral people?
- 37. What does breadth of chest mean (سَعَةُ الصَّدْرِ)?
- 38. Does Islam give more importance to quality or quantity?
- 39. What role does the struggle/jihad in the path to Allah SWT have in building the Islamic community?
- 40. Does the personality and status of an individual have an effect on their reward and punishment?
- 41. What is the role of leadership in the Islamic community?
- 42. With respect to blaming and mockery on the path of the Truth that we hear, what duties do we have?
- 43. For the sake of saving face and avoiding humiliation, are we able to abandon the prayer for rain?
- 44. Presenting yourself at religious events is a form of showing yourself to others… is this a form of hypocrisy and showing off?
- 45. How should we deal with bitter experiences in our life?
- 46. How does Islam view non-believing countries?
- 47. Why are problems and hardships ever present in the world we live in?
- 48. Is faith without deed of any value?
- 49. What role does the love for the Ahlul Bayt AS have in our lives?
- 50. Is it obligatory to present or explain all Truths?
- 51. How can we believe that when Imam Mehdi reappears, may his reappearance be hastened, that he will have the face of a forty-year-old when he is 1000+ years?
- 52. From the point of view of the Qur’an, what is the relationship between the leader and the people?
- 53. What is the difference between Khums/Zakat and the taxes paid to the government?
- 54. Why do some continue to disbelief despite having witnessed the Miracles and Perfection of the prophets?
- 55. Given that the Prophets and Imams are Divinely Guided, why do they weep and seek forgiveness?
- 56. With regards to the different approaches of the Divinely Guided Imams, are their differences in their respective goals?
- 57. How can someone’s sins wipe out their good deeds entirely?
- 58. What can we do so as to increase our love towards God?
- 59. What is the philosophy behind bitter and horrific events of our life?
- 60. Why can some scientists spend their lives in the way of understanding a phenomenon, but can still have no faith in God?
- 61. Why has God created people differently and aren’t these differences a form of oppression?
- 62. When does the file of one’s deeds become sealed?
- 63. Why does the Qur’an liken backbiting to eating the flesh of our dead brother?
- 64. What is, and how does, one seek repentance?
- 65 How can we invite others to do pious deeds?
- 66. Why is the inheritance of women half that of men?
- 67. Why are women unable to be judges?
- 68. Why is the “Blood Money” for women half of that for men?
- 69. How do some people end up having bad outcomes?
- 70. In who’s hands is Death? Is it with God or The Angel of Death, Azrael?
- 71. How can one have faith in an unseen God?
- 72. What does the Qur’an say in regards to how much help should one give to others?
- 73. Why is it that those who commit sin do not benefit from the Qur’an?
- 74. What is the state of the body and soul during sleep?
- 75. How can a merciful bountiful God penalise and bring upon wrath upon His worshippers?
- 76. Are the religious laws stand alone or connected to each other?
- 77. What is the meaning of worship? Is it only praying and fasting?
- 78. What is the intended outcome of the tradition of the Qur’an?
- 79. On Resurrection Day, how can the decomposed and spread out parts of the dead come together and re-emerge from the earth?
- 80. Can a single sin change the destination of an individual?
- 81. Is it right to be saying slogans such as “Death to America” and “Death to Israel” in mosques and in holy places?
- 82. Is there any guidance in the Qur’an with regards to participating in protests and demonstrations?
- 83. Why do we have to do Taqleed (following) of jurists when it comes to the jurisprudence of our religion?
- 84. What are the attributes of the “Wilayat Faqih”?
- 85. What is the reason behind the success of the Prophets, where after so many centuries, people continue to follow their laws so passionately?
- 86. How can we shade all of our work with a divine paint?
- 87. Is seeking information necessary for everything? Does everyone need to know everything?
- 88. What should be the final word we say to those who do not accept religion?
- 89. What is the best deed to perform?
- 90. Which actions will actually be accepted by God?
- 91. In the view of the Qur’an, who is a hypocrite?
- 92. How should the relationship between believers be?
- 93. How should one deal with regards to those who are slow in accepting the Truth?
- 94. Are all forms of faith valued?
- 95. Why does God sometimes not answer our prayers?
- 96. Why is there a need to test us if God is all knowing?
- 97. Given the Qur’an says that in the end those with piety will be in charge of the world, is piety all that is needed?
- 98. Why did God create things which are dangerous to mankind?
- 99. Given the presence of science and the power of the mind, what need is there for revelation?
- 100. What is our obligation towards the enemy?
- Abbreviations