read

Forbidden Acts Of A Muslim

إِنْ تَجْتَنِبُوا كَبَائِرَ مَا تُنْهَوْنَ عَنْهُ نُكَفِّرْ عَنْكُمْ سَيِّئَاتِكُمْ وَنُدْخِلْكُمْ مُدْخَلًا كَرِيمًا

“And if you avoid the greater sins which you are forbidden, We will expiate from you your smaller misdeeds and We will admit you an honorable entry.” (Qur’an, 4:31).

The 8th Imam, ‘Ali ar-Ridha’ (‘a), wrote a letter prohibiting the following sinful acts, as they were greater sins1:

  1. Killing those whose murder is prohibited by Allah

  2. Adultery

  3. Stealing

  4. Drinking wine

  5. Disobeying one’s parents

  6. Fleeing the battle field (desertion)

  7. Stealing the property of orphans

  8. Eating animals found already dead, animals not slaughtered in the name of Allah, blood, and pigs (This prohibition stands unless you are compelled)

  9. Accepting usury when it is obvious

  10. Consuming prohibited wealth

  11. Gambling

  12. Cheating in business by under-measuring

  13. Accusing chaste women of adultery

  14. Homosexuality

  15. Despair towards (and losing hope in) the mercy of Allah

  16. Not fearing the divine retribution

  17. Not acknowledging the bounties of Allah

  18. Co-operating with the oppressors

  19. Associating with the oppressors

  20. Taking a false oath

  21. Obstructing the rights of someone without any valid reason

  22. Lying

  23. Pride

  24. Wasting wealth

  25. Spending in ways not permitted by Allah

  26. Betraying the trust of others

  27. Considering hajj of the Holy Ka’bah unimportant

  28. Fighting the friends of Allah

  29. Enjoying vain pre-occupations

  30. Persisting in committing sins