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The Concept of Sin:
An Islamic Perspective
Part Three
by Sh. Kifah Mustapha
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Among the beloved names of Allah is Al A’aleem (All-Knowing). One of the reasons is that He knows everything when it comes to why we (humans) fall into sin. People, when judging others, are limited in knowledge and they can be harsh and unfair in their judgment, but Allah is the All-Knowing, He knows, and that is why we hope for His mercy when we fall into sin; for He is the All-Just too. He knows what could have been weakness, vulnerability, ignorance, temptation or many other reasons through our nature as humans. People, when repenting, shall find an All-Forgiving God waiting for them. The prophet (PBUH) said: “if you made mistakes until your sins reach the sky and (then) repented; Allah shall accept your repentance.”
In this segment, about the Concept of Sin in Islam, I would like to share with you some advice about preventative measures to protect ourselves from falling into sin.
Knowledge:
Knowledge is power for it shapes your notions about life, relates directly to your character and guides your choices of actions.
If people knew the truth about the Might of Allah, it is more likely that they would be aware not to fall into sins. Allah (SW) spoke about people of knowledge that they are the most fearing of Allah. Allah (SW) said: {and truly fears God among His servants but those filled with knowledge [of the word and the way of God]. Indeed, God is overpowering, all-forgiving} 35:28.
On the other hand, if people knew the truth about the mercy of Allah, it is more likely that they will quit sinning and come back in repentance and full of hope for forgiveness. Allah (SW) said: {Say, [O prophet: God declares to humanity]: O My servants! Those [of you], who have committed [sins in great] excess against their own souls; never despond of the mercy of God! For, indeed, God forgives sins, one and all. Indeed, it is He [alone] who is the All-Forgiving, the Mercy-Giving} 39:53.
Lack of knowledge is also a reason for people to go astray even assuming they are doing good deeds! Allah (SW) said: {Say [to them]: shall We tell you about the greatest losers with respect to deeds? It is those whose striving has strayed [from God’s way] in the life of this world, while they yet think that they are doing most excellent work} 18:104.
In short, the more knowledge you have about the truth, the better chance you will not fall into sin.
Righteous deeds:
Deeds speak about our personality and what type of people we are. They are a reflection and a demonstration of what we choose to be and the legacy we leave behind. Evil deeds were identified in Islam as misdeeds or (Sayye’at), and righteous deeds were identified as good deeds or (Hasanat.) The best way to deal with these misdeeds (Sayye’at) is to quit doing them and start investing in good deeds (Hasanat.) Allah (SW) said: {Thus [duly] establish the prayer at both ends of the day, and at the near [hours] of the night. Indeed, good deeds remove misdeeds. This is a reminder for those who would be mindful [and reflect on this admonition]. So be patient. For, indeed, God never wastes the reward of those who excel in [doing] good} 11:114.
Righteous deeds create a pattern of values that grow with the individual and reflect back in a good joyful life. Allah (SW) said: {whoever does righteous deeds, whether male or female, and is a believer, We shall, most surely, cause him to live a good life. Moreover, We shall, most surely, recompense [all of] them with their reward, [in accordance] with the very best they ever did} 16:97.
Faith and righteous good deeds bring you closer to Allah, and you will also earn the love of people. Sins will become foreign to your nature and you cannot see yourself engaged in misdeeds (sayye’at.) Allah (SW) said: {as for those who believe and do righteous good deeds, [it is] for them that the All-Merciful shall ordain [in their hearts] genuine [mutual] love} 19:96. Imam Attabari in his book of Tafseer explains this (mutual love or ‘woodda’) from the quotes of great Tabeien like Ibn Abbas and Mujahed as “love and closeness to the hearts of people.” When people see the love and respect of others because of their good deeds, it will help them maintain their investment in good deeds and try not to fall into sin.
It is important to mention that good deeds are variable and diverse. Look into what fits your lifestyle and invest in it. It could be reading Quran! Or praying additional non-obligated prayers (nawafel!) Or giving charity! Or volunteering! Or Zikr or remembrance of Allah! Or helping others! At the very least, don’t bring harm to others! The prophet (PBUH) was asked by Abu Zarr about an act that will prompt a person to enter Heaven, he said, “To believe in Allah and the Day of Judgment.” Abu Zarr asked, “Any deeds with faith?” The prophet (PBUH) said, “To donate from what he was given!” Abu Zarr said, “What if he was poor and cannot find (anything) to donate?” The prophet (PBUH) said, “To enjoin what is good and forbid what is evil.” Abu Zarr said, “What if he was deficient (short on delivering) or unable to enjoin what is right and forbidding what is evil?” The prophet (PBUH) said, “To help (support) an ignorant (person).” Abu Zarr said, “What if he was ignorant (himself) unable to help anyone?” The prophet (PBUH) said, “To assist a defeated (person in any aspect of life).” Abu Zarr said, “What if he was weak and cannot help a defeated person!” The prophet (PBUH) said, “You do not want your friend to have any good thing (to engage with!); (let him) hold on from harming people.” Abu Zarr said, “O messenger of Allah, if he did that, would he enter Heaven!” The prophet (PBUH) said, “Any Muslim who would act on any of these aspects (mentioned) but it (this aspect) would take his hand until it will (prompt him to) enter Heaven.”
Awareness of dubious leads:
In Islam there are things that are considered prohibited because they lead to a sin. For example, it is prohibited to sell grapes to a winery where you know they will be making wine out of it. Another example is that it is prohibited to look at the opposite gender with an intimate thought for it might lead to adultery. The prophet (PBUH) said, “Whoever avoided ‘shubuhat’ dubiety or suspicious (things), indeed he has (proved) innocence (in seeking means) to (secure) his religion and his honor.”
Many people gradually fall into sin because of the lack of such awareness. A long Hadeeth about the story of a monk from (Bani Isra’iel) Children of Israel, detailed how things elevated from trying to cure a female, into the awakening of the desire, to adultery, to pregnancy of the girl, to murdering the child, to murdering the mother and ending up by that monk worshiping Satan!
It is extremely important to be cautious and aware of such actions even if they look normal so you will not fall into prohibited things. Allah (SW) in His mercy, next to revelation (Quran & Sunnah,) gave us a self detector to check things out if they are righteous or evil. The prophet (PBUH) said, “Righteousness is what your inner soul felt tranquility (about it) and sin is what is weaving in your chest and you hate people to be exposed (to it).”
Righteous companions:
From adolescence to old age, people are greatly influenced by their companions. From peer pressure to competition in life, people tend to lean toward keeping (what they perceive) respect among companions even if it was in exchange of Islamic morals and values. This is why we were advised in both Quran and Sunnah to look into the type of people we are taking as close friends.
Allah (SW) spoke about the regret people will be crying at the Day of Judgment because of the wrong choices in friends! Allah (SW) said: {Oh, woe me! If only I did not take such a one [who disbelieved] for an intimate friend. Very truly, he has led me away from the Remembrance [of the Quran] after it had come to me. For Satan has ever been deserting of humankind, indeed.} 25: (28/29.) The prophet (PBUH) spoke about the influence people pick up from friends and companions. He (PBUH) gave the example of a good friend verses a bad one in this metaphor: “The example of a good pious companion and an evil one is that of a person carrying musk and another blowing a pair of bellows. The one who is carrying musk will either give you some perfume as a present, or you will buy some from him, or you will get a good smell from him, but the one who is blowing a pair of bellows will either burn your clothes or you will get a bad smell from him.”
The worst type of friend is the one who will drag you away from the path of truth. Allah quoted the words of those who almost fell into such holes of darkness because of the bad companionship. Allah (SW) said: {thus they shall turn to one another [and] ask each other [of former times]. One of them shall say: Once, I had a close companion who would say [to me]: Are you, indeed, one of those who believe with certainty the truth [of Resurrection] - that when we are dead and have become [mere] dust and bones, we shall, indeed, be [to his fellows in Paradise]: Will you look [with me upon him now]? Then he shall look [from a high at his disbelieving companion]. Thus he shall see him in the midst of Hell fire. He shall say [to him]: By God! Indeed, you very nearly doomed me! Had it not been for the grace of my Lord, most surely, I would have been of those brought [down into Hellfire with you]} 37: (50/57.)
Asking forgiveness (Istighfar):
People think of Istighfar as something after the sin, but continuity of asking forgiveness keeps the habit of remembering Allah (SW) thus making it more likely not to fall into sin again. In this capacity, we see Istighfar as a preventative measure.
Asking forgiveness from Allah is simply repentance. It is a demonstration of the status of submission toward Allah. No one will ask Allah for forgiveness unless he/she were aware of the evilness of their deed, the need to be pure after engaging in sin, the believe that God is the only One who can grant that, and the intention to start fresh with hope for the mercy of Allah (SW.)
Istighfar begins by the remembrance of Allah, acknowledging the sin, asking for forgiveness and the intention and the plan not to come back to it again. It is amazing and interesting how Allah (SW) described people of Taqwa, who will be granted Heaven, that when they fall into sin, they rush into Istighfar! In other words, you would still be among the people of Taqwa, insha Allah, even if you fall into sin! You only need to come back and ask for forgiveness. Allah (SW) said: {and hasten to [attain] forgiveness from your Lord- and a Garden [in paradise], whose breadth is [as] the heavens and earth, prepared [only] for the God-fearing: The ones who spend [in charity], in [times of] prosperity and adversity [alike]; and who suppress [their] rage, and who pardon people- for God loves those who excel in [doing] good. Moreover, these are the ones who when they commit any [act of] obscenity, or wrong themselves [with sin], they remember God, [to whom they are accountable], and so seek forgiveness for their sins. For who is it that forgives sins but God? Nor do they persist in whatever [wrong] they have done when they know [it is wrong]. It is these whose reward is forgiveness from their Lord- and Gardens beneath which rivers flow, wherein all they shall abide forever. And how [exceedingly] commendable is the reward of those who ever do [the will of God]} 3:135/136.