Major Sins (12)

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.”1

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 

1 . Reported by Al-Baihiqi in the book of 'Evidence of Prophethood on the authority of Abu Sa'id Al-Khudri.

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.”1

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.”2

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.” 3

"The usurer suffers the torture from death up to the Day of Judgement by swimming in the Red River which is like blood and he is fed while swimmingly stones.”4

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 Judgement 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.”5

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.” 6

Anas related, "The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) preached us and expounded the question of usury by saying, 

1 Reported by Ibn Majah. It is likely to be classified as weak.

2 Reported by Al-Hakim who said this hadith has a good chain of transmission.

3 This hadith has numerous references.

4 Reported before.

5 Reported by AI-Hakim who said this hadith has a good chain of transmission.

6 Postulated by AI-Haith ami in Majma' Al-Zawa'id.

"One Dirham gained by usury is more heinous than thirty six times of adultery at the sight of Allah.” 1

The Prophet (pbuh) said, "Usury is of seventy sins, the least of which is compatible with committing adultery with one's mother.”2

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.”3

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.”4

We ask Allah's pardon and soundness in the religion, the world and the Hereafter. 

1 Reported by Ibn Abi Dunya.

2 It has been narrated before.

3 Postulated by Ibn Hajar in :41-Matalib AI-Aliyyah' and he said it has a missing transmission.

4 Reported by Abu Dawud and Ahmad.

Major Sins (13)

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.”1

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)2

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 mission.

1Reported by Muslim.

2 Reported by Ibn Hibban on the authority of Abu Bazrah but it has a weak trans

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)." 1

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.” 2

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.” 3

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).” 4

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.” 5

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 Judgement 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 

1 Reported by Al-Bukhari.

2 Reported by Muslim.

3 Reported by At- Tirmidhi.

4 Reported by Ibn Hajar AI-Haithami Majma' AI-Zawa'id.

5 Reported by AI-Baihiqi.

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.”1

"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" 2 

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 Judgement. 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

1 Reported by Ibn Majah.

2 Reported by Ibn Hajar Al-Haithami in Majma' AI-Zawa'id.

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.”1 

1 Reported by Al-Bukhari.

Major Sins (14)

14) Lying About The Prophet (pbuh)

Allah, the Most High, says, {On the Day of Judgement will thou see those who told lies against Allah;- their faces will be turned black: is there not in Hell an abode for the Haughty?} (Az-Zummar: 60)

AI-Hasan said commenting on this ayah that: they are those who say, if we want to do something we do it but if we do not want to do it we do not.

Ibn AI-Jawziy said when interpreting the above ayah: Some scholars hold that lying about Allah and His Prophet (pbuh) is unbelief that puts one beyond the pale of Islam. There is no doubt that a premeditated lie against Allah and His Messenger that declares something which is unlawful to be permissible or something permissible to be unlawful is pure unbelief. The question (as to when it is a major sin rather than outright unbelief) only concerns lies about other than that. 

The Prophet (pbuh) said, "Whoever intentionally lies about me shall have a house built in the Hell-Fire.” 1

The Prophet also said, "Whoever intentionally lies about me shall take a place for himself in Hell.”2

The prophet said, "Whoever relates words purportedly from me, thinking it is a lie, is a liar." 3

The Prophet also said, "A lie about me is not the same as a lie about someone else: whoever intentionally lies about me shall take a place for himself in Hell.”4

It was related that the Prophet (pbuh) said, "Whoever relates something from me I have not said shall take a place for himself in Hell.”5 

The Prophet also said, "The Believer is created familiarized with everything except treachery and lying.” 6

We ask Allah to guide and protect us; He is the Most Generous.

1 Reported byA1-H~ithami in Maima' AI-Zawa'id.

2 Reported by AI-Bukhari and Muslim.

3 Reported by Ibn Majah and Ahmad.

4 Reported ~ Al-Bukhari and Ahmad.

5 Reported by Al-Bukhari and Muslim

6 Reported by Ahmad and Al-Baihaqi.

Major Sins (15)

15) Fleeing From the Battlefield

Unless enemies outnumber twofold of Muslims, a Muslim is not allowed to turn his back to them. Similarly, unless it is in a stratagem of war, or to retreat to a troop (of his own), a Muslim also is forbidden to flee from the battlefield. Allah the Almighty says, {1f any do turn hi; back to them on such a day -unless it be in a stratagem of war, or to retreat to a troop (of his own) he draws on himself the wrath of Allah, and his abode is Hell, -an evil refuge (indeed).} (Al-Anfal: 16)

Abu Hurairah, may Allah be pleased with him, reported the Prophet to have said, “Avoid the seven destroyers, The listeners asked: "0 Messenger of Allah what are they ? '! He said, ”Associating partners with Allah (shirk), sorcery, taking a life which Allah has made sacred except in the course of justice, devouring usury, appropriating the property of the orphan, fleeing from the battlefield and slandering chaste believing women who would not expect to be accused of adultery.” 1

Ibn Abbas, May Allah be pleased with him, said, {When Allah revealed If there are twenty amongst you, patient and persevering, they will vanquish two hundreds.} (Al-Anfal: 65)

He prescribed that it is not allowed for twenty Muslims to flee from two hundred of enemies. But, when Allah revealed, {But (even so) there are a hundred of you, patient and preserving, they will vanquish two hundred, and if a thousand, they vanquish two thousand, with the leave of Allah: for Allah is with those who patiently

perseverer.} (AI-Anfal: 66)

Allah prescribed that it is not allowed for a hundred Muslims to flee from two hundred.”2

1 Reported before.

2 Reported by Al-Bukhari..

Major Sins (16)

16) The Leader Who Misleads His Followers, The Tyrant and The Oppressor

Allah, the Almighty says, {The blame is only against those who Oppress men with wrong-doing and insolently transgress beyond bounds through the land defying right and justice: for such there will be a chastisement grievous.} (AI-Shura: 42)

The Qur'an also states, {Think not that Allah doth heed the deeds of those who do wrong. He but giveth them respect against a Day when the eyes will fixedly stare in horror, they running forward with necks outstretched, their heads uplifted; their gaze returning not towards them, and their hearts a (gaping) void!} (Ibrahim: 42-43)

And, {Nor did they forbid one another the iniquities which they committed: evil indeed were the deeds which they did} (AI-Ma'idah: 79)

Now let us consider the following hadiths:

"He who deceives us is not of us." 1

"Oppression will be darkness on the Day of Judgment.”2

"All of you are trustees and each is responsible for those entrusted to his care.” 3

"Any superior who misrules his followers shall go to Hell.”4

"If a person who is appointed in authority over people, does not look after the people (placed under his care) with goodwill and sincerity, he will not get even the aroma of paradise.”5

"Every governor will be seized on the day of Judgement in front of the Hell-Fire. From the back of his head he will be held by an angel. The angel, then, raises his head before Allah (a warning for His command). Being commanded to throw him, only after forty will the governor reach the bottom of a vacuum.”6

1 .Reported by Muslim.

2 Reported byAI- Bukhari and Muslim.

3Reported byAl- Bukhari and Muslim.

4 Reported by Al-Bukhari.

5 Reported by Muslim.

6 Reported by Ahmad.

"Woe to princes, woe to captains, woe to officers. On the Day of Judgement some people will wish to have their forelock clung to a Pleiades in torture and that they did not take the charge before.” 1

"On the Day of Judgement, the just judge is brought (to be reckoned), He will suffer to such an extent that he will hope that he would not have judged between any two people even with regards to a date. .”2

Of the Prophet's supplication is that, "0 Allah! When a person who is placed in authority over my Ummah (people) is strict with them, be Thou also strict with him, and when such a person is kind on them, be Thou also kind on him.”3

"0 Allah! Whoever disposes something of Muslims affairs and screens himself (by adopting a porter) away from their need and poverty, Allah will screen Himself away of his need and poverty.”4

"There will come corrupt, tyrannical rulers: whoever confirms their lies and assists them in their oppression is not of me, nor I of him, and shall not meet me at my watering place in Paradise.” 5

"Two classes of my Ummah (nation) are excluded from my intercession: a tyrant ruler and the one who is extreme in religion: who bears witness against them and clears himself from them.”6

"The Oppressor ruler will suffer the severest torture on the Day of Judgement.” 7

"0 people command the right and forbid the wrong before a day in which your supplications to Allah and seeking forgiveness from Him will be unanswered. When the Jewish doctors of law and the Christian monks gave up commanding the right and forbidding the wrong, Allah cursed them by the tongue of their prophet's and then puts them on the verge of a sweeping punishment.”8

"Whoever tries to introduce into this faith of ours (Islam) something which is not a part of it, is to be rejected (and that person is condemned).”9

"Whoever tries to introduce some thing or adopts an innovation (in religion) he entails the curse of Allah, the angels and the whole people and will have his works not accepted.” 10

"He who shows no mercy will not be shown any.”11

"Allah shows no mercy to whoever shows none to people.” 12

"Under Allah's shade is a just ruler when there will be no shade except Allah's.”13

1 Reported by Ahmad.

2 Reported by Ahmad.

3 Reported by Muslim.

4 Reported by Abu Dawud.

5 Reported by Ahmad.

6 Reported by Abi' Asim in Al-Awsat.

7 Reported by At- Tabarani.

8 Reported by Ahmad, A1-Baihaqi and Al-Bazzar

9 Reported by Al-Bukhari and Muslim

10 Reported by Al-Bukhari and Muslim

11 Reported by Al-Bukhari and Muslim.

12 Reported by Al-Bukhari and Muslim

13 Reported by Al-Bukhari and Muslim.

"The just and fair people (rulers and judges) will be seated on chairs of light before Allah. Such people are those who deal justly in the matters relating to their families and other affairs entrusted to them.”1

When the Messenger of Allah sent Mu'adh (may Allah be pleased with him) to Yemen he said to him, "Do not take the best of their articles as Zakat. Fear the call of an oppressed person, because there is no barrier between the complaint of an oppressed and Allah.”2

The Prophet also said, "These are three people whom Allah will not talk to, look at, or exonerate on the Day of Judgement. He mentioned among them the lying ruler.”3

"You will be anxious to lead, and this will be a source of remorse to you on the day of Judgement.”4

"By Allah, I will not appoint to a public office anybody who asks for it or expresses a longing for it.” 5

"0 Ka'b Ibn 'Ajarah, may Allah give refuge to you from the leadership of the naives who will come after me but they will not follow my guidance or tradition.” 6

"He who asks to be appointed as the judge of Muslims, and then he judges justly, he will enter Paradise, but if he judges unjustly he will go to Hell.”7

'Umar said to Abu Dharr, "Tell me a hadith you have heard from Allah’s Messenger." Abu Dharr said, "I reported the Messenger of Allah to have said, "On the Day of Judgement, the leader will be brought and then cast upon a bridge on fire. The bridge will be shaken so violently that all his joints will be amputated. Then, if he was obedient to Allah, he will pass, otherwise he will fall down in the Hell-Fire and only after fifty years he will reach the bottom." Upon hearing that, 'Umar asked, "0 Abu Dharr, who asks for it?" he replied, "It is he who his nose for Allah and placed his cheek on the earth..”8

'Amr Ibn Al-Muhajir said, 'Umar Ibn Abdel Aziz said to me "When you see me deviating from the right, you should grip me and ask, 'O `Umar what are you doing?' 

1 Reported by Muslim.

2 Reported by A1-Bukhari.

3 Reported by Muslim.

4 Reported by A1-Bukhari.

5 Reported by A1-Bukhari.

6 Reported by Ahmad.

7 Abu Dawud.

8 Reported by A1-Hithmi.

Major Sins (17)

17) Arrogance, Pride, Conceit, Vanity And Haughtiness

Allah, Most High, says, {Moses said, "I have indeed called upon my Lord and your Lord (for protection) from every arrogant one who believes not in the Day of Account.} (Ghafir: 27)

{Verily He loveth not the arrogant.} (An-Nahl: 23)

The Prophet (pbuh) said, "Once a man was walking along in a new set of clothes, with a swagger to his step, pleased with himself, Allah caused the earth to swallow him and he will keep sinking until the Last Day.”1

"Tyrants and the arrogant will be raised on the last Day as grain strewn under feet that the people will walk upon.”2

Arrogance, as early Muslims said, was the first fault against Allah.

Allah, the Almighty, says, {And behold, we said to the angels: bow down to Adam: and they bowed down: not so Iblis: he refused and was haughty: he was of those who reject Faith} (AI-Baqarah: 34)

Therefore, Faith is of no avail if arrogance exists, as is Iblis.

The Messenger (pbuh) said, "Arrogance is belittling to admit the truth and considering people inferior.”3

"Arrogance is refusing to acknowledge what is right and considering others to be inferior.” 4

"No one with the slightest particle of arrogance in his heart will enter Paradise.” 5

Allah, the Almighty, says in the Qudsi hadith, {Allah loveth not any arrogant boaster.} (Luqman: 18)

Allah, the Almighty, says, "Pride is My garment and haughtiness My Mantle: whoever vies with Me for them I will throw into Hell.”6

1 Reported by AI-Bukhari.

2 Reported by At- Tirmidhi and Ahmad

3 Reported by Muslim.

4 Reported by AI-Hakim

5 Reported by AI-Bukhari.

6 Reported by Muslim.

The Messenger (pbuh) said, "A debate took place between heaven and hell. The latter said; in me shall enter tyrant and the arrogant people: while heaven said, "In me shall enter the weak and the lowly." 

Allah decided the issue by saying, You are heaven, My mercy, through you I shall have mercy on whomsoever 1 please; and you are hell a place of punishment, through you / shall chastise whomsoever / like. /t is incumbent upon Me to fill both of you!”1

Allah, the Almighty, says, {And swell not thy check (jor pride) at men. Nor walk in insolence through the earth for Allah loveth not any arrogant boaster.} (Luqman: 18)

Salama Ibn Al-Akwa' recounted that a man was eating with his left hand in the presence of the Prophet

(pbuh). The Prophet told him, "Eat with your right. " To which the man replied, "/ cannot." Though nothing stopped him but arrogance.

The Prophet said,' "May you not be able to." And the man could never lift his right hand to his mouth

again.”2

"Shall I tell you who the people of the Hell-Fire are. The cruel, the haughty and the arrogant.”3

"There are three people whom Allah will not speak to, look at or exonerate on the Day of Judgement, and who will have a painful torment: he who wears the hem of his garment low (out of pride), he who reminds recipients of his charity to them and he who sells merchandise swearing that he paid more for it than he actually did.”4

"What comes down the anklebones of the caftan is in Hell.”5

The wickedest arrogance is that of someone who exalts himself over people of his learning and gloats to himself about his superiority. The knowledge of such person is of absolutely no benefit to him. Whoever learns sacred knowledge for the sake of the next world is unsettled by his learning, his heart is humbled and his ego lowered. Such a person lies in wait for his selfishness and never gives it free rein. He constantly takes his ego to task and corrects it. Were he to neglect it, it would diverge from the right path and destroy him. The person who seeks knowledge to take pride in it or gain a position of leadership, looking disdainfully at other Muslims, thinking them fools and making light to them all this is the most enormous arrogance and no one with the slightest particle of arrogance in his heart will enter Paradise. There is no power nor might save in Allah Most High, Most Glorious.

1 Reported by AI-Bukhari.

2 Reported by Ahmad and AI-Hakim and it is an authentic hadith

3 Reported before.

4 Reported by Muslim, An-Nisa'i and Ibn Majah

5 Reported by AI-Bukhari.

Major Sins (18)

18) Bearing False Witness

AIIah, Most High says; {Those who witness no falsehood and if they pass by futility, they pass by it with honorable (avoidance)}(AI-Furqan: 72)

{And shun the word that is false}

(AI-Hajj: 30)

It was narrated that, "Bearing false witness is mentioned twice as equal as associating others with Allah (in the Qur'an)"1

The Prophet (pbuh) said, "On the Day of Judgement, the feet of the person who bore false witness will not stir from their place before their owner is condemned to Hell.”2

The author (may Allah have mercy on him) said that the one who bore false witness has committed

many major sins among which is:

(a) lying and false allegation. Allah the Most High says,

{Truly Allah guides not one who transgress and lies}.

(Ghafir: 28)

"The believer is created familiar with everything except treachery and lying” 3

(b) He oppressed the one who bore witness against him as he appropriated his property, honor and soul.

(c) He oppressed the one who bore witness for him as he brought unlawful property to him and thus

made him entail the Hell-Fire."

The Prophet (pbuh) said, "If I decide in favor of a person who is not entitled to the thing, I do not allow him but a piece of fire”.4 

(i.e., the person receiving it will go to Hell.)

(d) He made what Allah forbids of property, blood and honor permissible.

1 Reported by Tirmidhi, Abu Dawud and Ibn Majah.

2 Reported by Ibn Majah and AI-Hakim.

3 Reported before.

4 Reported by A1-Bukhari, Muslim, Abu Dawud, An-Nasa'i, and Ibn Majah.

The Prophet (pbuh) said,

"Shall I tell you of the worst major sins? Worshipping others with Allah, showing disrespect to parents, giving a false statement and testifying to the truth of a falsehood. " And he kept repeating it until we were telling ourselves (out of sympathy for him because of the strain of repeating it) "]f only he would be silent”.1

1 Reported before.