Major Sins
8) Showing Disrespect to One's Parents
Allah, the Most High, says,
{Thy Lord hath decreed that ye worship none but Him, and that ye be kind to parents. Whether one or both of them attain old age in thy life, say not to them a word of contempt, nor repel them but address them in terms of honor. And, out of kindness, lower to them the wing of humility, and say: "My Lord! Bestow on them Mercy even as they cherished me in childhood.} (Al-Isra: 23-24)
Therefore, you should serve them as they did with you. But your service is not equal to theirs as they suffered a lot in bringing you up, hoping that you might live long. On the other hand, when you shoulder their burdens you hope that they will die soon.
Allah, the Most High, says,
{Show gratitude to Me and to thy parents: To Me is thy final goal.} (Luqman: 14)
Behold, how Allah has associated gratitude to Him with the gratitude to the parents Ibn 'Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him), said, "There are three verses (ayat) which have been revealed associated with three others. They are not accepted separately.
- a) Allah, the Most High, says,
{Obey Allah and Obey the Messenger. And beware (of evil) if ye do turn back, know ye that it is our Messenger's duty to proclaim (the message in the clearest manner.} (Al-Ma'idah: 92)
Thus, whoever only obeys Allah will have his obedience not accepted.
- b){And be steadfast in prayer: Give Zakat.} (AI-Baqarah: 43)
Hence, whoever performed prayers and does not pay Zakat will have his prayers not accepted
- c){Show gratitude to Me and to thy parents: to Me is thy final goal.} (Luqman: 14)
Whoever shows gratitude to Allah and neglects his parents will not have his gratitude accepted.
The Prophet (pbuh) said,
"Allah's satisfaction is the parent's and His Wrath is theirs.”[1]
"A man came and sought permission for Jihad (fighting in the way of Allah). The prophet (pbuh) asked him: '”Are your parents living? The man said" yes, Sir.' He said, 'Then carry on Jihad in service to your parents as this is as good as Jihad.”[2]
Behold, how Allah has preferred obeying and honoring the parents to Jihad!
The Prophet (pbuh) said,
"Shall I not tell you of the worst major sins? Worshipping others with Allah and showing disrespect to parents."
Again Allah associates showing disrespect to parents with worshipping others besides Him.
It was related that the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) said,
"Whoever shows disrespect to his parents, he who reminds recipients of his charity to them and he who addicts to wine will not enter Paradise.”[3]
In another tradition the Prophet (pbuh) said,
"Had Allah known something concerning showing disrespect to one's parents little than Uf (a word of contempt) He would have forbidden it. Let the rebellious son do whatever he does, he will not enter Paradise, and let the obedient son do whatever he wants, he will not enter the Hell-Fire.”[4]
The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) said,
"May Allah curse he who shows disrespect to his parents.” [5]
"May Allah curse he who reviles his father; may Allah curse he who reviles his mother.” [6]
It was related that the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) said,
“Allah respites whatever He wants of the sins until the day of Judgment save showing disrespect to one's parents, it will be hastened to its doer.”[7]
i.e. the worldly punishment before the Day of Judgment
Ka'b Al-Ahbar, may Allah be pleased with him, said, "Allah hastens the death of anyone who shows disrespect to his parents so as torture him. On the other hand, Allah increases one's life span if he is kind to his parents to bless him."
Treating one's parents with honour also requires sustaining them with the living costs when they are needy. A man came and said to the Prophet (pbuh),
"0 Messenger of Allah, my father asks for my property.” Then the. Prophet (pbuh) said, "Both you and what you possess are your father's.”[8]
When Ka'b Al-Ahbar was asked about the meaning of showing disrespect to one's parents, he said, "When one's father or mother swore an oath and he or she did not fulfill it. When they ordered him to do something but he did not obey. When they ask him for some thing and he refused. When they entrust him for something but deceives them.
Ibn 'Abbas was asked about Ashab Al- 'Araf (men of the Heights) and he said; "As for the Heights, it is a mountain between Fire and Paradise. It is so-called because it outlooks Fire and Paradise. It is also covered by trees, fruits, rivers and wells. As for the men who seized thereon, they are those who went out to fight in the cause of Allah without their parents' permission and then are killed. Death in the cause of Allah protects them from the Hell-Fire. But disobedience to their parents deprived them of Paradise. Thus, they will be on the Heights until Allah judges them.
It was related that a man asked the Prophet (pbuh),
"Who deserves my service most after Allah?" The Prophet said, "Your mother." The man asked again, "And who is next?" The Prophet said, "Your mother." The man asked further, "Who is next?" The Prophet replied, "Your mother.” The man asked once more, "And who is next?" The Prophet (pbuh) said, "Your father and then the closer kins.” [9]
Thus, the Prophet (pbuh) emphasizes that the mother is the one who deserves much concern and therefore he mentioned her three times. It is the mother indeed who bears a lot in pregnancy, giving birth, and suckling and constant care to the child night and day.
Once Ibn 'Umar saw a man bearing his mother upon his shoulder and making circumambulation around the Ka'ba. The map ' asked him, "Do you think that I requite her? No, not even with a cry from childbirth. But, well done. Allah will give you in return for a little deed a great reward.”[10]
Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) related that the Prophet (pbuh) said,
"There are four people who will not enter Paradise as Allah decreed: a drunkard, a usurer, he who appropriates the orphan's property without a legal cause and he who shows disrespect to one's parents.” [11]
The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) said,
"Paradise lies beneath the feet of mothers.”[12]
A man came to Abu Ad-Darda' and said, "O Abu Ad-Darda', I have married a woman but my mother ordered me to divorce her." Then Abu Ad-Darda' said, "Parents is the middle gate of Paradise. You may either miss or preserve it.”[13]
The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) said,
"Three supplications are surely acceptable: the supplication of the oppressed, the traveler and the parents against their children.” [14]
“An aunt is treated as a mother i. e., honorable treatment.” [15]
Wahb Ibn Munabbih said, "In the tablets written by Allah to Musa is the following, 'O Musa! Respect your parents. Whoever respects his parents I will extend his life span and grant him a grateful progeny. But, whoever shows disrespect to his parents I will shorten his life span and grant him an ungrateful progeny.”[16]
Abu Bakr Ibn Abu Mariam also said, "I read in the Torah that he who hits his father will be killed." Similarly, Wahb said, "I read in the Torah that he who slaps his father should be stoned until death."
`Amr Ibn Murrah Al-Juhanni said, "A man came to the Messenger of Allah and asked, 'OMessenger of Allah, what do you say if/pray obligatory duties, fast during Ramadan, give due Zakat on my Y1-'ealth, and perform Hajj if I am able to do so, what is my reward?' The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) said, 'He who does this, he will be with the prophets, truthful people and the martyrs unless he disrespects his parents.”[17]
It was related that the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) said, "May Allah curse he who shows disrespect to his parents."
It was narrated. Also that the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) said,
"In the night of /sra' (Night Journey) / saw groups of people in the Hell-Fire hanged on trunks of fire. / asked, "Who are they, Gabriel?" He said, "They are those who revile their parents in this world.”
Bishr said, "Whoever is intimated by his mother and listens to her speech is better than the one who fights with his sword in the cause of Allah. Gazing at her surpasses every thing. Once a man and a woman presented before the Prophet (pbuh) arguing about their child. The man said, "O Messenger of Allah, he is my child who was created from my loins (backbone)." On the other hand, the woman said, "O Messenger of Allah he bore him lightly and proceeded it out of lust. But I bore him in travail, delivered him in travail and suckled him during two full years." Thereupon, the Prophet judged for the mother.”[18]
In the Prophet's lifetime, there was a young man called Alqamah. He was so devout that he exerted great efforts in performing many prayers, fasting and spending money in charity. He had a fatal disease that his wife informed the Prophet (pbuh) that her husband was dying. Thereby, the Prophet (pbuh) sent `Ammar, Suhaib and Bilal to instruct the dying to say the testification of Faith. When they arrived there, they found him dying. Therefore, they began to instruct him to say there is no god but Allah, but he could not repeat it. They returned to the Prophet (pbuh) to consult him. Then, the Prophet (pbuh) said, "Did he have living parents?" They said, "He had an aged mother." Accordingly, the Prophet asked them to bring her if she was able to walk. Otherwise he himself will go there. When being informed by the Prophet's message, the mother said, "I sacrifice him with my soul. I will go to him." She then went to him leaning on a staff. After greeting, the Prophet (pbuh) said; "O mother of Alqamah, tell me the truth and if you lie Allah will reveal me the truth. How was Alqamah?" She said, "He performed much prayers, fasting and spending money in
charity." Then, the Prophet (pbuh) asked, "What about you?" She said, "O Messenger of Allah! I am angry with him." The Prophet asked, "Why?" She said, "Because he prefers his wife to me and also disobeys me." Then, the Prophet (pbuh) said, "The anger of Alqamah's other holds Alqamah's tongue to utter the testification of Faith."
Afterwards, the Prophet said, O Bilal, go and gather a pile of wood." The woman said, "Why, Messenger of Allah?" The Prophet said, “To bum him before your eyes." She said, "O Messenger of Allah, he is my son! I cannot endure that he be burnt before my eyes." Then, the Prophet said, "But Allah's torture is more severe and lasting, mother of `Alqamah. So if you like him to be forgiven by Allah, you forgive him. By Whom in Whose hands my soul is, what he performed of prayers, fasting and charity is of no avail so long as you are angry with him."
Then, she said, "O Messenger of Allah, may Allah the Almighty, his angels and all Muslims who are present witness that I forgive my son, Alqamah." Thereupon, the Prophet said, "Go to him, Bilal to see whether he can utter the testification of Faith or not? She might forgive him out of shyness." Approaching Alqamah's house, Bilal heard him saying, "There is no god but Allah" Then, the Prophet (pbuh) ordered them to prepare the funeral, washing and shroud. Then, he prayed over him and witnessed the funeral. Then, the Prophet stood in front of the deceased grave and said, "O Muhajirin (Emigrants) O Ansar (Helpers), he who prefers his wife to his mother entails the curse of Allah, His angels and the whole people. Allah never accepts his deeds or a reason unless he makes repentance, treats his mother well and asks her consent. This is because Allah's consent is conditioned on the mother's and His wrath is hers.”[19]
9) Severing the Ties of One's Relatives
Allah, the Most High, says,
{Fear Allah, through Whom ye demand your mutual (rights) and be heedful of the wombs.} (An-Nisa': 1)
The Qur'an also states,
{Then it is to be expected of you, if ye were put in authority, that ye will do mischief in the land, and break your ties of kith and kin: Such are the men whom Allah has cursed for He has made them deaf and blinded their sight.}
(Muhammad: 22-23)
Allah, the Almighty, says,
{Those who fulfill the covenant of Allah and fail not in their plighted word; those who join together those things which Allah hath commanded to be joined, hold their Lord in awe, and fear the terrible reckoning.}
(Ar-Ra'd: 20-21)
Allah, the Most High, says,
{He causes many to stray, and many He leads into the right path,. But He causes not to stray, except those who forsake (the path), those who break Allah's covenant after it is ratified, and who sunder what Allah has ordered to be joined, and do mischief on earth: Those cause loss only to themselves.} (Al-Baqarah: 26-27)
The Prophet (pbuh) said,
"He who severs his family ties will not enter Paradise.”[20]
Thus, whoever abandons his relatives, is proud over them and disdains to support the needy if he is rich is included in this punishment unless he repents to Allah the Most Exalted and treats them well.
It was related that the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) said,
"Whoever has feeble kins and does not treat them well and pays his charity to others and neglects them, Allah does not accept his charity and will not look to him on the Day of Judgment.”[21]
But whoever is poor should keep good terms with them, visit them and be heedful of them.
The Prophet (pbuh) said,
"Wet your wombs (relationships) even by just greeting.”[22]
The Prophet also said,
"Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day should have a link with his kins.”[23]
"A person who reciprocates in doing good is not the one who joins his blood relations generously,' but he is one who joins with his blood relations when they cut with him.”[24]
"Allah Almighty says, "I am the Merciful and it is the womb i.e. blood relation. I will hold by him who hold by it; and I will cut asunder from him who cuts asunder from it.”[25]
Ali Ibn AI-Husain, may Allah be pleased with him, said to his son, "O son do not befriend he who severs the ties of his kins since I have found him cursed in Allah's Book three times."
One day, Abu Hurairah, May Allah be pleased with him, sat to deliver a lesson about the people's tradition? Then, he said, "I hope that anyone of you who severs the ties of his kins to leave us." A young man sitting at the end of the circle left. The young man went forward to his aunt whom he did not visit for years and reconciled her. His aunt asked him: "Why did you come, my nephew?" He said, "When I sat to listen from Abu Hurairah, the prophet's companion, he said, "I hope anyone of you who severs the ties of his kills to leave us." Then, his aunt asked him to go back to Abu Hurairah to ask him about the reason. Thereupon, Abu Hurairah answered: "I heard the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) saying, "Mercy is not showed upon a group of people among them is someone who severs the ties of his kins.”[26]
Once, a wealthy man when traveling to at the Sacred House in Mecca to perform Hajj (pilgrimage), deposited one hundred thousand Dinars to a trusty and righteous man until he returned from' Arafat.
Having stood on Arafat, he returned to Mecca to find that the man was dead. He asked the deceased family for his money. But they knew nothing about the money. Accordingly, he explained the plight to the scholars of Mecca who then told him to approach the Zamzam well at midnight and then call upon the man. If he answered you the first time you called, he was among the people of Paradise. But the man went back to them after doing what they said with no response. Thereupon, they said, "To Allah we belong and to Him is our return."
The man might be of the people of Fire. Thus, you have to go to Yemen where there is a well-called Barhut. It is said that this well is at the mouth of the Hell, and call upon the man at midnight. Therein, if he is among the people of Fire he will answer you- Having arrived in Yemen and approaching the well, he called upon the man and the man responded. He asked him about the wealth. He told him that he had buried it in such and such a place. Thus, you could go there and dig to regain your wealth. Then, he asked him why he was in such a (horrible) place though we thought good of you?" He said, "I had a poor sister whom I abandoned and did not treat her well. Thereby, Allah punished me because of her."
This is shown in the Prophet's hadith,
"He who severs the ties of his family will not enter Paradise.”[27]
10) Adultery
Allah, the Almighty, says,
{Nor come nigh to adultery: for it is an indecent (deed) and an evil way.} (Al-Isra': 32)
The Qur'an also states,
{Those who invoke not, with Allah, any other god, Nor slay such life as Allah has made sacred, except for just cause, nor commit fornication,' -and any that does this (not only) meets punishment. (But) the chastisement on the Day of Judgment will be doubled to him, and he will dwell therein in ignomity.}
(Al-Furqan: 68-70)
Allah, the Most High, says,
{The woman and the man guilty of fornication, flog each of them with a hundred stripes: Let not compassion move you in their case, in a matter prescribed by Allah, if ye believe in Allah and the Last Day: And let a party of the believers witness their punishment.” (An-Nur: 2)
The punishment mentioned in the last verse concerns only single fornicators in the world as argued by the scholars. In case of married adulterers (even if they experienced marriage before) they must be stoned until death as postulated by the Prophet (pbuh). But if they escaped the worldly punishment and died without making repentance, they will be tortured in the Hell-Fire with lashes of Fire.
In Psalms, it is narrated that Adulterers will be hanged from their genitals in the hell-Fire, on which they will be scourged with slashes of iron. If they cry out of pain, the angels of punishment will address them, "Where was this cry inaudible before? You just used to laugh, play and did not keep the thought of Allah, nor were you shy from Him."
The following hadith was stated by the Prophet (pbuh),
"An adulterer is not a believer at the time of committing adultery.” [28]
The Prophet (pbuh) said,
"When someone fell in adultery, faith leaves his heart and overshadows him but if he extricates himself; his faith will, be restored again.” [29]
It was related that the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) said,
"Whoever fornicates or drinks wine, Allah takes off his faith from him as a man takes a shirt off over his head.” [30]
"There are three people to whom Allah, the Most High will not talk, nor will He absolve them of sins nor look at them: an aged person guilty of adultery, a king who lies and a poor beggar who is proud.” [31]
On the authority of Ibn Mas'ud who said, "I asked the Messenger of Allah (pbuh),
"What is the most grievous sin at the sight of Allah?" He said, "To associate others with Allah whereas He created you... and to commit adultery with your neighbor's wife.”
Allah, the Almighty, said,
{Those who invoke not, with Allah, any other god, nor slay such life as Allah has made sacred, except for just cause, nor commit fornication; -and any that does this (not only) meets punishment. (But) the chastisement on the Day of Judgment will be doubled to him, and he will dwell therein in ignominy.}
(AL-Furqan: 68-69)
Behold! How adultery with one's neighbor, polytheism and slaying the life of others except for just cause are associated with each other.
Once, Ibn Mas'ud asked the Prophet (P.B.U.H) saying, "0 Messenger of Allah, what is the most heinous sin? The Prophet answered, "To hold that Allah has an equal, whereas He has created you. Further he asked what is next? The Prophet (P.B.U.H) said, "To kill child lest he feeds with you. He added, "What is next? The Prophet (P.B. U .H) said, "To commit adultery with your neighbor's wife.” [32]
When commenting on Allah's statement,
{To it are seven gates: for each of those gates is a special) class (of sinners) assigne.} (Al-Hijr: 44)
Ata' said, "The most grievous and hated gate of Hell is that which is assigned for adulterers who committed such crime after they had been informed of its consequences.
Makhul Ad-Dimashqi said, "When the people of the Hell-Fire smell a stinking odor they say, 'We have never smelt an odor more stinking than that, Then, they will be told that this is the odor of the adulterers' genitals. Ibn Zayd, one of great exegesists said, "This odor hurts all the people of the Hell-Fire. Of all commandments prescribed by Allah to Moses is the following,
"Do not steal and do not fill into adultery so as not to screen My Face from you."
Behold Moses is the addressee, what about the others.
It was reported that the Prophet (pbuh) said,
"Satan (Iblis) often sends his soldiers every where in the earth saying to them, 'Whoever diverts a Muslim I will crown him. The most skillful one in diverting people, the nearest to me. Meanwhile, a devil comes and says, "I kept tempting such and such until he divorced his wife.' Iblis says, 'You did nothing. He will marry another woman.' Another comes and says, 'I kept tempting such and such until I created a grudge between him and his brother’ Iblis says, 'You did nothing. He will reconcile with him.’ Eventually comes another devil who says, 'I kept tempting such and such until he fell in adultery.’ Iblis says, 'Great and well done. I Then he makes him nearer to him and crowns him.”[33]
We seek Allah's refuge from the evils of Satan and his soldiers.
It was reported that on the authority of Anas that the Prophet (pbuh) said,
"Faith is like a garment with which Allah covers whomever He likes. But if he falls in adultery, this garment will be taken off and if he repents He will restore it again.”[34]
The Prophet (pbuh) also said,
"0 Muslims, be aware of adultery. It entails six consequences: Three in this world and the others in the next. As for the worldly consequences, they are a pale face, short life and long poverty. The consequences in the Hereafter are: The wrath of Allah, a severe reckoning and torture in Fire.”[35]
The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) said,
"Whoever persists in drinking wine and then dies, Allah will make him drink from the river of Ghuta, a river flows the genitals of the whores.”[36] In the Fire there will be pus flowing from the whores' genitals that which will be offered to whoever dies persisting in drinking wine.
The Prophet (pbuh) said,
"Next to polytheism (shirk), is the semen ejaculated by a man in an unlawful womb.”[37]
"In the Hell-Fire there is a valley in which contains serpents. Each serpent is as fat as a camel's neck. When it stings the one who does not pray, it's poison boils in his abode for seventy years and then his flesh is torn out. There is also a valley called the well of Hazan (suffering) which contains serpents and scorpions. Each scorpion is as huge as a mule and has seventy spines. Each spine ends in a poisonous edge. Then, it strikes the adulterer and sprays poison in his body. The adulterer suffers from this painful poison for a thousand years. Then his flesh is torn out and pus flows from his genitals.”[38]
"Whoever makes love with a married woman, they will suffer the torture which is supposed to afflict half of this nation in grave. Afterwards, on the Day of Judgment, Allah will give her husband, who does not know (what she does), the right to dispose her good deeds. But if he knows and does nothing, he and his wife will be deprived of Paradise as there is a statement on the door of Paradise which reads, unlawful for the pimp.”[39]
"Whoever touches a woman, who is not lawful to him, because of lust, he will be resurrected with his hand tied to his neck on the Day of Judgment. In case of kissing, his lips will be nipped in the fire. Eventually, if he fell in adultery, his thighs will witness against him, on the Day of Judgment by saying, "I lied on an unlawful" Then, Allah looks to him out of wrath. Thus, his face's flesh fells down. If he arrogantly says, "I never did so" Then the tongue witnesses by saying, 'I produced an unlawful utterance.' The hand also says, 'I touched unlawful things.' The eyes says' I looked to the unlawful.' The legs say:' To the unlawful objects did I walk' Finally, the genital says, 'I applied. ' As for the guardian angels, he says, 'I heard, and another says,'I wrote' eventually, Allah says, "I knew but concealed him.”[40]
Then, Allah says,
"0 angels! Take him away to torture him. Severe is My wrath on those who are not shy from Me." This is shown in Allah's Book Exalted be He:
{On the Day when their tongue, their hands, and their feet will bear witness against them as to their actions.} (AINur: 24).”[41]
The most grievous kind of adultery is incenstry with one's mother, sister, stepmother and unmarriageable relatives.
The Prophet (pbuh) said,
"Whoever falls into adultery with an unmarriageable relative, must be killed.”[42]
AI-Barra' narrated that the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) sent his uncle to a man who made love with his step mother to kill him and divide his wealth into five parts (like the spoils of war.)
Therefore, we ask Allah the Bounteous to forgive our sins for He is the Most Bounteous, the Most Kind.
11) Sodomy
Allah, Most High recounts in His Book the story of Lut's people in several positions. Allah, the Almighty says,
{When Our decree issued, We turned (the cities) upside down, and rained down on them brimstones hard as baked clay, spread, layer on layer, marked from thy Lord; nor are they ever far from those who do wrong!"} (Hud: 82-83)
This abode is not far from those who do wrong amongst our nation if they committed the same sin. Therefore, the Prophet (pbuh) said,
"What I fear most is that my nation may follow the crime of Lut's people.”[43]
The Prophet also said,
"May Allah curse him who does what Lut's people did.”[44]
He said it twice.
It was related that the Prophet (pbuh) said,
"Whoever is caught doing the crime of Lut's people, you should kill the one who sodomizes and the one who lets it be done to him.” [45]
Ibn 'Abbas (may Allah be pleased with hi) said, "Look for the highest building in the town, and then throw them down and stone them like the abode of Lut's people."
There is a scholarly consensus that sodomy is among the major sins forbidden by Allah,
{Of all creatures in the world, will ye approach males, and leave those whom Allah has created for you to be your mates? Nay, ye are a people transgressing (all limits!} A-Shu`ara: 165-166)
Allah, Most High, says,
{And Lut, too, We gave Judgment and Knowledge, and We saved him from the town which practiced abominations: truly they were a people given to evil, a rebellious people.}
(Al-Anbya': 74)
The town where those people lived was called Sodom. They used to practice the abominations mentioned by Allah in His Book. They used to commit sodomy; make sounded wind in their assembly and many other offensive practices.
He (pbuh) said,
"Lesbianism is adultery between them."
The Prophet (pbuh) said,
"Four people entail Allah's wrath in night and day. " It was asked, "Who are they, Messenger of Allah?" He answered, "Effeminate men and masculine women, the adulterer of animals and sodomizers.”[46]
It is narrated that when two men start to commit sodomy, Allah's Throne vibrates fearing Allah's wrath. The heavens almost fall on the earth but the angels hold their outskirts and recite Surat AI-Ikhlas until Allah's wrath reposes."
The Prophet (pbuh) said,
"On the Day of Judgment, there will be seven people who will be excluded from Allah's Mercy and purification. Allah will sentence them to enter the Hell-Fire with those who enter it: Those who commit sodomy, the one who commits masturbation, the one who approaches an animal from its anus, the one who approaches a woman from her anus, the one who marries a woman and her daughter altogether, the adulterer of his neighbor's wife and the one who brings harm to his neighbor until he accurse him.”[47]
It was narrated that, "there will be some people who will be assembled on the Day of Judgment with pregnant hands because of committing adultery. They used to make play of their genitals in the world."
It was also narrated that,
"Among the practices of Lut's people is playing with dice, competing by flying pigeons, entering the bathroom naked, cheating in measures and weights. O woe to those who do so.”[48]
Ibn 'Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) said, "When a sodomite dies without making repentance, he will turn into a pig in his grave."
The Prophet (pbuh) said,
"Allah does not look to a man who commits sodomy with a man or a woman." [49]
Abu Sa'id As-Su'luk said, "There will be some people who will be called sodomites in this Ummah (nation). They are of three kinds: some who just gaze, others who just shake hands, and the last who commit the abominable act.”[50]
Looking at a woman or a juvenile out of sexual excitement is adultery as mentioned in the following hadith:
"A man commits adultery with his eyes when he looks at a strange woman,' the adultery of the ears is listening to sexual dialogue, adultery of the tongue is talking about sex,' the adultery of the hand is to catch which is unlawful,' and the adultery of the feet is going towards a strange woman; the heart ardently desires adultery,' and the sexual organs confirm or contradict the act.”[51]
Therefore, the righteous men stress the necessity of keeping away from juveniles. AI-Hasan Ibn Zakwan said, "Do not be accustomed to sit with the wealthy men's kids since they are good looking like the virgin ladies. They might be more fascinating than women.”[52]
One of the earlier scholars also said, "I do not fear a beast of prey when attacking a devout young man. I just fear a juvenile when sitting with him." More than that he said, 'A man should not sleep with a juvenile together." It is unlawful for a man as scholars argued, to stay alone with a juvenile in a house, a shop or a bathroom as in the case of men and women.
Among juveniles are those who may be more beautiful than women. He may be most fascinating. It is easy to justify what you do of evil with him than is with a woman. Therefore, such deep feelings are most likely unlawful. Numerous maxims of the early Muslims were postulated as warnings from keeping near of them.
Once, Sufyan Ath- Thawri entered a public bath and the a hand some boy entered after him. Sufyan said, "Get him out because when ever I see a woman I see a Devil but whenever I see a handsome boy I see a group of devils."
A man visited Imam Ahmad accompanied with a handsome boy. Imam Ahmad said, "Who is that?" The man replied, "My nephew." Imam Ahmad said, "Do not come again with him. Nor should you walk with him lest the people who do not know you think something bad about you.
When the delegate of `Abdel-Qays came to the Prophet (pbuh) there was a handsome juvenile with them. The Prophet (pbuh) made him sit behind his back and said,
"The trial of Dawud pertained to the gaze.”[53]
It was said that the look is message of adultery.
The Prophet (pbuh) said,
"Eye-looking is a poisonous arrow of Satan and whoever gives it up for the sake of Allah, he will feel the joys of Worship which will persist until the Day of Judgement.”[54]
The Punishment of Sodomites
Khalid Ibn Al-Waleed (may Allah be pleased with him) related that one day he found a sodomite committing such practice. Then, Abu Bakr consulted the other Companions (may Allah bless them all `Ali Ibn Abi Talib said, "This sin was only done by Lut's people and we knew how they were punished by Allah, the Almighty. I think he should be burnt." Therefore, Abu Bakr sent a message to Khalid ordering him to bum the sodomite. Then Khalid burnt him. "
'Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) said, "Whoever allows someone else to fornicate with him, he will be addicted by the appetite of woman and will be an accursed Satan in his grave until the day of Judgement.”
It was related that Jesus, the son of Marry (pbuh), passed by a flaming fire burning a man when he was in a journey. Then, Jesus carried Some water to extinguish the fire. But, the fire turned into a boy and the man turned into fire. Surprisingly, Jesus said, "O Lord! May You return them back to life to ask them how they are? Allah then brought them to life. They were a man and a boy. Jesus asked them, "Who are you?" The man said, "O spirit of Allah, in the World I was afflicted by loving this boy and out of sexual excitement, I sodomized him. Later on when we died, we alternatively burned one another. This is Our torture until the Day of Judgement."
We seek Allah's refuge from His torture and ask His pardon, and for well-being and guidance to What He loves and pleases.
Sodomy is also approaching a woman from the anus. This act is prohibited by Allah, the Almighty and His Messenger (pbuh). Allah, the Almighty says,
{Your wives are as a tilth unto you so approach your tilth when or how ye will but do some good act for your souls be fore hand and fear Allah, and know that ye are to meet Him (in the Hereafter) and give (these) good tidings to those who believe.} (AI-Baqarah: 223)
A husband can make vaginal intercourse with his wife regardless of the posture he takes (whether it be from the front or back). The reason for the revelation of this Ayah is that Jews said in the lifetime of the Prophet (pbuh),
"Whenever a man makes vaginal intercourse from the back, the child will be born cross-eyed. The Companions asked the Prophet (pbuh) about that. Accordingly, Allah revealed the aforementioned Ayah to refute them.”[55]
It was related that, "Accursed is he who approaches a woman from the anus or a fortuneteller. He who does such rejects what was revealed upon Muhammad." Thus, he who approaches a woman from her anus or during the menstruation period is accursed and entails such severe torture as is the fortuneteller.
Many ignorant people fall into such sins because of their poor knowledge. Abu Ad-Darda', therefore, said, "Be either a scholar, a disciple, a listener or one who loves knowledge otherwise you will perish." Therefore, we should repent to Allah for all our sins and faults, ask His pardon of our past ignorance, and soundness in what remains of our life span. O Allah! Grant us health and pardon in this world and the next. You are the Most Merciful.
12) Accepting Usurious Gain
Allah, the Almighty, says,
{O ye who believe! Devour not usury, doubled and multiplied; but fear Allah; that ye may (really) prosper.} (AI-Imran: 130)
The Qur'an also states,
{Those who devour usury will not stand except as stands one whom the Satan by his touch hath driven to madness that is because they say, 'trade is like usury, " but Allah has permitted trade and forbidden usury.} (AI-Baqarah: 275)
On the Day of Judgement they will be resurrected from their graves swerving like he who is seized by Satan owing to what they devoured of usury that grew in their stomachs to such an extent that they would hardly be able to move. Whenever they move they fall and cannot hasten their steps like all other people.
Qatada said, "On the Day of Judgement the usurer will be resurrected mad. Thus, all the people in the assembly will be able to identify them easily."
The Prophet (pbuh) said,
"When I was transported from the Sacred House (of Mecca) to the farthest Mosque (of Jerusalem), I passed by some people whose bellies were protruding forward. Their bellies were as huge as houses, stretching along the way of Pharaoh's people. On the other hand, the Pharaoh's people have to be brought in front of Fire at morning and evening. Like defeated camels, deaf and mad, the people of Pharaoh used to pass by them. Feeling them coming, they attempted to keep aside but their bellies were so heavy that they could not leave and they in turn, were trodden by them. This is re-occurred in their coming and going every day. That is their lot of torture in the period of the Barrier (AI-Barzakh) up to the Last day. The Prophet asked, "Who are they, Gabriel?" He replied, "They are those who devour usury will not stand except as stands one whom the Satan, by his touch, hath driven to madness.”[56]
It was related that the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) said,
"When I was taken tip in the Ascent (Mi'raj), I heard thunder and blasts in the seventh heaven. Then, I saw some men whose bellies were as big as houses protruding forward, in which there were serpents and scorpions seen from beneath their bellies. I then, asked, 'Who are they, Gabriel?' He said, 'They are those who devour usury.”[57]
Abdur-Rahman Ibn Abdullah Ibn Mas'ud said,
"When usury and fornication appear in a community, the people of that community render themselves deserving of the punishment of Allah.”[58]
The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) said,
"Whenever usury appears in a community, there will be madness. Whenever fornication appears in a community, there will be death. Whenever fraud in measure and weight appears in a community, there will be deprivation of rain.” [59]
"The usurer suffers the torture from death up to the Day of Judgments by swimming in the Red River which is like blood and he is fed while swimmingly stones.”[60]
The stones represent the unlawful wealth he has collected in the world. He is also fed by stones (It was narrated before.) of fire like what he has swallowed of unlawful wealth in the world. This is his lot of torture in the period of Barrier before the Day of Judgments in addition to the curse of Allah.
The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) said,
"Four classes of people will be prevented from entering Paradise nor will they taste its blessing as Allah decreed: the intoxicant, the usurer, the one who appropriates the orphan's property without a lawful cause and the one who was disobedient to his parents if they did not repent all.”[61]
It was narrated that the usurers will be resurrected in the form of dogs and pigs since they contrived for devouring usury like the people of Sabath who contrived for hunting fish by making basins in which the fish were trapped on Saturday and then were collected on Sunday. Therefore, they were turned into monkeys and pigs. Similarly, this will be the abode of those who contrive for devouring usury. However, Allah knows all what they contrive. Abu Ayub As-Sakhtiani says.” Behold! They deceive in the same manner when deceiving a child."
The Prophet (pbuh) said,
"Usury has seventy two doors, the least of them is compatible with committing adultery with one's mother. The most heino[{s kind of usury is to transgress by defaming one's brother.” [62]
Anas related, "The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) preached us and expounded the question of usury by saying,
"One Dirham gained by usury is more heinous than thirty six times of adultery at the sight of Allah.” [63]
The Prophet (pbuh) said,
"Usury is of seventy sins, the least of which is compatible with committing adultery with one's mother.”[64]
Abu Bakr said, "He who takes the interest and the giver are in the Hell-Fire alike."
Ibn Mas'ud, may Allah be pleased with him, said, "When indebting someone, you should not accept his gift since it is usury." Moreover, AI-Hasan, may Allah be pleased with him, regarded what you ate in your indebted house as Suht (taking of usury or bribes.)
The Prophet (pbuh) said,
"When a loan renders an interest it is subsumed under usury.”[65]
Ibn Mas'ud also said, "Whoever intercedes for someone, and then is offered a gift, it is considered Suht."
This is indicated in the following hadith:
"Whoever intercedes' (for someone) and is then offered a gift, then he approaches a grievous door of usury.”[66]
We ask Allah's pardon and soundness in the religion, the world and the Hereafter.
13) Wrong Consuming an Orphan's Property
Allah, the Most High, says,
{Those who unjustly eat up the property of orphans eat up fire into their own bodies: they will soon be enduring a blazing fire.} (Al-Nisa': 10)
The Qur'an also states,
{Come not nigh to the orphan's property except to improve it, until he attains the age of full strength.}
(Al-Imran: 152)
The Prophet (pbuh) said,
"When I was taken up in Ascent (Mi'raj) I saw some men gapping their jaws under the coercion of other men. Then came another men who fed them stones of fire that penetrated their bodies and came out from their anus. I wondered: 'Who are they, Gabriel?' He replied, 'They are those who unjustly eat up the property of orphans eat up a fire intotheir bodies.”[67]
It was related that the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) said,
"Allah, Most High resurrected some people from their graves with fire flaming out from their bodies and burning their faces." The Prophet was asked: 'Who are they, Messenger of Allah?" He said,' Allah, the Almighty says, {Those who unjustly will eat up the property of orphans eat up a fire into their own bodies: they will soon be enduring a blazing fire.} (AI-Nisa': 10)[68]
As-Sadiy, may Allah be pleased with him, said, "On the Day of Judgement, the one who appropriated an orphan's property will be resurrected with the flames of fire coming out from his mouth, ears, nose and eyes. Therefore, he will be well-identified." (Isma'il Ibn AbdelRahman As-Sadiy was accused of following the Shi'ah sect.)
Scholars said that there is no harm if a poor guardian of an orphan consumes some of his charge's property without exceeding what is permissible as much as he disposes and improves his business affairs. What is in excess of the permissible is absolutely unlawful (Suht)? Allah, the Almighty says,
{If the guardian is well-off, let him claim no remuneration, but if he is poor, let him have for himself what is just, reasonable. When ye release their property then, take witnesses in their presence: But all-sufficient is Allah in taking account.} (An-Nisa': 6)
Reasonable consuming of an orphan's property may be interpreted as: Intending the loan, fulfilling his own needs without excess, taking the wage of disposing or improving the orphan's business or intending to return what he takes out of need, if he becomes prosperous. These different points of views are mentioned by Ibn AI-Jawziy in his Tafsir (exegesis)
"I and one who takes care of an orphan, will enter paradise together like this" and he raised his forefinger and middle finger jointly leaving no space betWeen them (by way of illustration)." [69]
"I and one who takes care of an orphan, whether related to him or a stranger, will be like these two in paradise;" and the narrator raised his forefinger and middle finger to illustrate this.” [70]
The guardianship of an orphan means to dispose his affairs: food, clothing and to improve his property if he has any. However, if he is poor, it is recommended to take care of him for the sake of Allah. In the aforementioned hadith, there is a reference that the orphan mayor may not be a relative as the Prophet says in the hadith: “related to him or a stranger”
The Prophet (pbuh) said,
"Whoever receives an orphan from amongst the Muslims to feed and give him drink until Allah makes him prosperous, Allah will render the Paradise binding to him unless he commits an unforgivable sin.” [71]
The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) said,
"Whoever wipes over an orphan's head for the sake of Allah, he will be rewarded for every hair he touched good deeds. Whoever has an orphan and treats him or her kindly, I and he will be in the Paradise like that (Then he combined his two fingers).” [72]
Someone asked Abu Ad-Darda' an advice. Thus he advised him saying, "Show mercy to the orphan, bring him nearer to you and feed him of what you eat. I heard Allah's Messenger (pbuh), when a man asked him about the harshness of his heart, saying,
"If you want to soften your heart, then you should bring the orphan nearer, wipe over his head and feed him of what you eat. These surely will soften your heart and enable you to do what you need.” [73]
One of the early Muslims recounted, "I was at first used to committing sins and drinking wine. Then, one day I received a poor orphan. I was kind to him, fed him, gave him a bath and clothed him. I treated him as tenderly as a man does with his own son and more. Afterwards, I went to sleep I dreamt that it was the day of Judgment and I was called for reckoning. Then, I was to go to Hell for my sins. I was dragged by the angels of punishment to the Fire. Meanwhile, when I was being dragged to the Fire, the orphan blocked me and said, 'O angels of my Lord, let him go. So as to intercede for him before Allah since he treated me kindly and honored me.' But the angels said; 'We were not commanded to do so.' Then came the call of Allah, "Let him go. I forgave him because of the orphan's intercession and the kind treatment he did with him. Then, I got up and repented to Allah the High Exalted. Later on, I kept on doing my best to show mercy to orphans.
The Prophet (pbuh) said,
"The best of the houses is that which contains an orphan who is treated kindly and the worst of the houses is that which mistreats him. The most beloved one to Allah the Almighty is the one who offers a favor to an orphan or a widow.”[74]
"Allah revealed to Dawud (pbuh): "0 Dawud! Be a loving father to the orphan, and a kind husband to the widow. Put into your account that the more you do the more you reap [75]
This means that whatever you do, you will find its consequences thereafter. For example, when you die and leave a child or a widow, thy will be treated in the same manner you treated others.
In his soliloquy, Dawud says, "O Allah! What is the recompense of whomever takes care of an orphan or a widow for Your Sake?" Allah answered, "He will be under the Shade of Mine when there will be no shade except Mine." i.e., the shade of the Throne on the Day of Judgement."
The following is another account that highlights the excellence of treating the orphan and the widow kindly. Once there was someone who belonged to the 'Alowiyyin sect. He lived in Balkh (a Byzantine
region) and had a wife and several daughters. They were living in luxury and prosperity. Then the husband died. His widow and daughters become so poor that they moved to another town to flee from the ghost of noticing their enemies rejoice at her misfortune. Having entered the town she resorted to a deserted mosque with her daughters. Then, she went out to bring them something to eat. She passed by two people, a Muslim and a magian.
She started by asking the Muslim and explained to him how she suffered a lot while she was an honored woman from the 'Alawyyeen sect. But he asked her to show evidence. She said she was stranger. But, he did not pay attention to her. Then, she left feeling sad and again explained her case to magian and how she had four daughters who were orphans and in need. She recounted her story to a Muslim Sheikh.
The magian sent his ladies to bring her and daughters home. He fed them and clothed them well. They stayed with him in luxury and honor. At midnight, the Muslim who turned the woman away dreamt that it was the Day of Judgment. A banner was risen over the Prophet's head. There was a palace of green emerald whose windows were of pearls and corundum and also had domes of pearls and corals. He then asked the Messenger of Allah: "Whose palace is it?" For a Muslim who believes in Allah, the One.' O Allah's Messenger I am a Muslim, the man said. But the prophet asked him to show the evidence that he was a Muslim.
The man was perplexed. Accordingly, the prophet said "When the 'Alawiyya woman asked you, you asked her to show an evidence that she was Alawiy. Thus, show me evidence that you are Muslim. Then, the man got up sadly for repelling the woman. He started to search for her in the town until he found her in the Magian's house. He asked him about the woman and her daughters, but the Magian refused and said many blessing were showered upon him because of them.
The man persisted to take them and even offered the Magian a thousand dinars but he refused again. The Muslim said but I should take them. Then, the Magian said, what you want is mine and the palace which you saw in your dream was created for me. May you guide me to embrace Islam? By Allah, I did not sleep yesterday before my family and I embraced Islam at the hands of the woman. I had also the same dream. The Prophet asked me, "were the 'Alawiy woman and her daughters in your house?" I said 'yes', Messenger Of Allah? He, then, said, the palace is for you and your family and all of you will enter Paradise. You were created a Muslim from the beginning of the creation. Then, the Muslim went away sadly.
Behold! How Allah blesses those who treat widows and orphans tenderly in this world.
"He who works hard an behalf of old women and the indigent, is like a Mujahid (a warrior) in the cause of Allah and the narrator thinks, he (pbuh) added, "and like the person standing in prayer and who never tires, and like one who observes the fast and does not break it.”[76]
[1] Reported by At- Tirmidhi.
[2] Reported by A1-Bukhari and Muslim.
[3] Reported by Ad-Darimi, Ahmad, An-Nisa'i and Ibn Hibban
[4] Reported by Ad-Dailami.
[5] Reported by AI-Hakim.
[6] Reported by Imam Ahmad and An-Nisa'i.
[7] Reported by AI-Hakim.
[8] Reported by Ibn Majah and Ahmad.
[9] Reported by AI-Bukhari.
[10] Reported by AI-Bukhari.
[11] Reported by AI-Hakim.
[12] It has numerous references.
[13] Reported by Ibn Majah, Ahmad and AI-Hakim.
[14] Reported by At- Tirmidhi, Abu Dawud and Ibn Majah
[15] Reported by AI-Bukhari and Abu Dawud.
[16] As-Sini postulated it in Ad-Dur AI-Manthur.
[17] Reported by AI-Haithami in Majma' AI-Zawa'id
[18] There is no hadith similar to this statement
[19] Reported by Ibn Hajar AI-Haithami.
[20] Reported by Al-Bukhari and Muslim.
[21] Reported by Al-Mundhiri.
[22] lbn Hajar AI-Hathami mentioned it in Majma' Al-Zawa'id and said it is reported by Al-Bazzar.
[23] Reported by AI-Bukhari.
[24] Reported by A1-Bukhari.
[25] Reported by At- Tirmidhi
[26] This is a false story.
[27] Reported before.
[28] Reported by AI-Bukhari and Muslim
[29] Reported by Abu-Dawud.
[30] Reported by AI-Hakim.
[31] Reported by Muslim.
[32] Reported before.
[33] Reported by Al-Siuti
[34] Reported by Ad-Dai1ami. It's a weak hadith.
[35] Reported by A1-Siuti.
[36] Reported by Ahmad.
[37] Reported by Ibn A1-Jawzi.
[38] Not found.
[39] Not found.
[40] Not found.
[41] Not found in the authentic books of Hadith
[42] Reported by AI-Hakim.
[43] Reported by At- Tirmidhi,
[44] Reported by At- Tirmidhi,
[45] Reported by At- Tirmidhi,
[46] Reported by Ibn Hajar Al-Haithami on the authority of Abu Hurairah in Majma Al-Zawa`id.
[47] Reported by Ibn Kathir in his ‘Great Exegesis”. It is Gharib hadith.
[48] It is subsumed under weak hadiths.
[49] Reported by At-Tirmidhi. It is good but Gharib hadith
[50] Reported by Al-Suyuti in Ad-Dur AI-Manthur.
[51] Reported by Al-Bukhari and Muslim.
[52] Reported by Al-Dailami
[53] Ash-Shawkani said this hadith has no reference.
[54] Reported by AI-Hakim who said that it is an authetic hadith
[55] Reported by Al-Bukhari and Muslim.
[56] . Reported by Al-Baihiqi in the book of 'Evidence of Prophethood on the authority
of Abu Sa'id Al-Khudri.
[57] Reported by Ibn Majah. It is likely to be classified as weak.
[58] Reported by Al-Hakim who said this hadith has a good chain of transmission.
[59] This hadith has numerous references.
[60] Reported before.
[61] Reported by AI-Hakim who said this hadith has a good chain of transmission.
[62] Postulated by AI-Haith ami in Majma' Al-Zawa'id.
[63] Reported by Ibn Abi Dunya.
[64] It has been narrated before.
[65] Postulated by Ibn Hajar in :41-Matalib AI-Aliyyah' and he said it has a missing transmission.
[66] Reported by Abu Dawud and Ahmad.
[67]Reported by Muslim.
[68] Reported by Ibn Hibban on the authority of Abu Bazrah but it has a weak trans
mission.
[69] Reported by Al-Bukhari.
[70] Reported by Muslim.
[71] Reported by At- Tirmidhi.
[72] Reported by Ibn Hajar AI-Haithami Majma' AI-Zawa'id.
[73] Reported by AI-Baihiqi.
[74] Reported by Ibn Majah.
[75] Reported by Ibn Hajar Al-Haithami in Majma' AI-Zawa'id.
[76] Reported by Al-Bukhari.