As-salamu alaikum, in today’s topic we will be listing out the 70 Major Sins in Islam which was written by Imam al-Dhahabi.
Who is Imam al-Dhahabi?
According to Wikipedia, Shams ad-Dīn adh-Dhahabī, also known as Shams ad-Dīn Abū ʿAbdillāh Muḥammad ibn Aḥmad ibn ʿUthmān ibn Qāymāẓ ibn ʿAbdillāh at-Turkumānī al-Fāriqī ad-Dimashqī was an Islamic historian and Hadith expert.
He was born on 5th October, 1274 in Damascus, Mamluk Sultanate now Syria. And he died on 3rd February, 1348. The Islamic historian aged 73 before his death, in the city of Damascus, Mamluk Sultanate now known as Syria.
Are the Major sins in Islam 70 ?
The Major sins are more than 70, according to some Islamic scholars. Watch the video below in regards to this question.
However the list below will be a stepping stone to avoiding the major sins in Islam. As we learn to improve our knowledge in the Deen.
May Allah (SWT) guide and forgive us as we navigate the path of knowledge, seeking His mercy to shield us from His wrath. Amin!
Here are 70 Major Sins in Islam
70 Major Sins in Islam from Quran and Hadith
| No. | 70 Major Sins in Islam | Reference | Quotes from Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01. | Associating anything with ALLAH | Surah An-Nisa – 116 | Truly it is only associating others with Allah in His divinity that Allah does not forgive,144 and forgives anything besides that to whomsoever He wills. Whoever associates others with Allah in His divinity has indeed strayed far away. |
| 02. | Murder | Surah An-Nisa – 93 | But whoever kills a believer intentionally – his recompense is Hell, wherein he will abide eternally, and Allāh has become angry with him and has cursed him and has prepared for him a great punishment. |
| 03. | Practicing magic | Surah Al Baqarah, Verse 102 | They ˹instead˺ followed the magic promoted by the devils during the reign of Solomon. Never did Solomon disbelieve, rather the devils disbelieved. They taught magic to the people, along with what had been revealed to the two angels, Hârût and Mârût, in Babylon. |
| 04. | Not Praying | Maryam, Verse 59-60 | But they were succeeded by generations who neglected prayer and followed their lusts and so will soon face the evil consequences. As for those who repent, believe, and do good, it is they who will be admitted into Paradise, never being denied any reward. |
| 05. | Not paying Zakat | AI-Imran: 180 and Fussilat: 6-7 | And do not let those who ˹greedily˺ withhold Allah’s bounties think it is good for them—in fact, it is bad for them! They will be leashed ˹by their necks˺ on the Day of Judgment with whatever ˹wealth˺ they used to withhold. And Allah is the ˹sole˺ inheritor of the heavens and the earth. And Allah is All-Aware of what you do. Say, ˹O Prophet,˺ “I am only a man like you, ˹but˺ it has been revealed to me that your God is only One God. So take the Straight Way towards Him, and seek His forgiveness. And woe to the polytheists— those who do not pay alms-tax and are in denial of the Hereafter. |
| 06. | Not fasting on a Day of Ramadan without excuse | AI-Baqarah: 183-184 | O believers! Fasting is prescribed for you—as it was for those before you1—so perhaps you will become mindful ˹of Allah˺. ˹Fast a˺ prescribed number of days.1 But whoever of you is ill or on a journey, then ˹let them fast˺ an equal number of days ˹after Ramaḍân˺. For those who can only fast with extreme difficulty,2 compensation can be made by feeding a needy person ˹for every day not fasted˺. But whoever volunteers to give more, it is better for them. And to fast is better for you, if only you knew. |
| 07. | Not performing Hajj, while being able to do so | Al-Umran: 97 | In it are clear signs and the standing-place of Abraham. Whoever enters it should be safe. Pilgrimage to this House is an obligation by Allah upon whoever is able among the people.1 And whoever disbelieves, then surely Allah is not in need of ˹any of His˺ creation. |
| 08. | Disrespect to parents | Al-Isra: 23-24, Hadith | For your Lord has decreed that you worship none but Him. And honour your parents. If one or both of them reach old age in your care, never say to them ˹even˺ ‘ugh,’ nor yell at them. Rather, address them respectfully. And be humble with them out of mercy, and pray, “My Lord! Be merciful to them as they raised me when I was young.” |
| 09. | Abandoning relatives | Abu Dawûd 4902, At-Tirmizi and ibn Maja 3413 and Surah An-Nisa’ Verse 1 | Be mindful of your Lord Who created you from a single soul, and from it He created its mate, 1 and through both He spread countless men and women. And be mindful of Allah—in Whose Name you appeal to one another—and ˹honour˺ family ties. Surely Allah is ever Watchful over you. |
| 10. | Fornication and Adultery | Al-Isra’: 32 | Do not go near adultery. It is truly a shameful deed and an evil way. |
| 11. | Homosexuality (sodomy) | Hud: 82-83 | When Our command came, We turned the cities upside down and rained down on them clustered stones of baked clay, marked by your Lord ˹O Prophet˺. And these stones are not far from the ˹pagan˺ wrongdoers! |
| 12. | Interest (Riba) | AI-Baqarah: 275 | Those who consume interest will stand ˹on Judgment Day˺ like those driven to madness by Satan’s touch. That is because they say, “Trade is no different than interest.” But Allah has permitted trading and forbidden interest. Whoever refrains—after having received warning from their Lord—may keep their previous gains, and their case is left to Allah. As for those who persist, it is they who will be the residents of the Fire. They will be there forever. |
| 13. | Wrongfully consuming the property of an orphan | AlNisa’: 10 | Indeed, those who unjustly consume orphans’ wealth ˹in fact˺ consume nothing but fire into their bellies. And they will be burned in a blazing Hell! |
| 14. | Lying about Allah and His Messenger(pbuh) | Az-Zummar: 60 | On the Day of Judgment you will see those who lied about Allah with their faces gloomy. Is Hell not a ˹fitting˺ home for the arrogant? |
| 15. | Running away from the battlefield | Al-Anfal: 16 | And whoever does so on such an occasion—unless it is a manoeuvre or to join their own troops—will earn the displeasure of Allah, and their home will be Hell. What an evil destination! |
| 16. | A leader deceiving his people and being unjust to them | AI-Shura: 42 | Blame is only on those who wrong people and transgress in the land unjustly. It is they who will suffer a painful punishment. |
| 17. | Pride and arrogance | Ghafir: 27 | Moses replied, “I seek refuge in my Lord and your Lord from every arrogant person who does not believe in the Day of Reckoning.” |
| 18. | Bearing false witness | AI-Furqan: 72 | They are˺ those who do not bear false witness, and when they come across falsehood, they pass ˹it˺ by with dignity. |
| 19. | Drinking Khamr (wine) | Al-Ma’idah: 90-91 | O believers! Intoxicants, gambling, idols, and drawing lots for decisions1 are all evil of Satan’s handiwork. So shun them so you may be successful. Satan’s plan is to stir up hostility and hatred between you with intoxicants and gambling and to prevent you from remembering Allah and praying. Will you not then abstain? |
| 20. | Gambling | Surah Al-Ma’idah, Verse 90-91 | O believers! Intoxicants, gambling, idols, and drawing lots for decisions1 are all evil of Satan’s handiwork. So shun them so you may be successful. |
| 21. | Slandering chaste women | Surah An-Nur 24:21-26 | Believers! Do not follow in Satan’s footsteps. Let him who follows in Satan’s footsteps (remember that) Satan bids people to indecency and evil. Were it not for Allah’s Bounty and His Mercy unto you, not one of you would have ever attained purity.18 But Allah enables whomsoever He wills to attain purity. Allah is All- Hearing, All-Knowing. Read MORE.. |
| 22. | Stealing from the spoils of war | Surah Al-Anfal – 58 | And if you ˹O Prophet˺ see signs of betrayal by a people, respond by openly terminating your treaty with them. Surely Allah does not like those who betray. |
| 23. | Stealing | Surah Al-Ma’idah – 38 | As for male and female thieves, cut off their hands for what they have done—a deterrent from Allah. And Allah is Almighty, All-Wise.1 |
| 24. | Highway Robbery | AI-Ma’idah: 33 | Indeed, the penalty for those who wage war against Allah and His Messenger and spread mischief in the land is death, crucifixion, cutting off their hands and feet on opposite sides, or exile from the land. This ˹penalty˺ is a disgrace for them in this world, and they will suffer a tremendous punishment in the Hereafter.1 |
| 25. | Taking false oath | Surah Ali ‘Imran – 77 | Indeed, those who trade Allah’s covenant and their oaths for a fleeting gain will have no share in the Hereafter. Allah will neither speak to them, nor look at them, nor purify them on the Day of Judgment. And they will suffer a painful punishment. |
| 26. | Oppression | Ibrahim: 42- 45 | Do not think ˹O Prophet˺ that Allah is unaware of what the wrongdoers do. He only delays them until a Day when ˹their˺ eyes will stare in horror— rushing forth, heads raised, never blinking, hearts void. |
| 27. | Illegal gain | Ash-Shura: 42 | Blame is only on those who wrong people and transgress in the land unjustly. It is they who will suffer a painful punishment. |
| 28. | Consuming wealth acquired unlawfully | Al-Baqarah: 188 | Do not consume one another’s wealth unjustly, nor deliberately bribe authorities in order to devour a portion of others’ property, knowing that it is a sin. |
| 29. | Committing suicide | An-Nisa’: 29-30 | O believers! Do not devour one another’s wealth illegally, but rather trade by mutual consent. And do not kill ˹each other or˺ yourselves. Surely Allah is ever Merciful to you. And whoever does this sinfully and unjustly, We will burn them in the Fire. That is easy for Allah. |
| 30. | Frequent lying | Al-‘Imran: 61 | Now, whoever disputes with you ˹O Prophet˺ concerning Jesus after full knowledge has come to you, say, “Come! Let us gather our children and your children, our women and your women, ourselves and yourselves—then let us sincerely invoke Allah’s curse upon the liars.” |
| 31. | Judging unjustly | AI-Ma’idah: 44 | Indeed, We revealed the Torah, containing guidance and light, by which the prophets, who submitted themselves to Allah, made judgments for Jews. So too did the rabbis and scholars judge according to Allah’s Book, with which they were entrusted and of which they were made keepers. So do not fear the people; fear Me! Nor trade my revelations for a fleeting gain. And those who do not judge by what Allah has revealed are ˹truly˺ the disbelievers. |
| 32. | Giving and Accepting bribes | AlBaqarah: 188 | Do not consume one another’s wealth unjustly, nor deliberately bribe authorities in order to devour a portion of others’ property, knowing that it is a sin. |
| 33. | Woman imitating man and man imitating woman | Reported by Jami` at-Tirmidhi 2784 | “The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) cursed the women who imitate men and the men who imitate women.” |
| 34. | Being cuckold [a pimp who allows his wife to fornicate] | Surah An-Nur – 3 | A male fornicator would only marry a female fornicator or idolatress. And a female fornicator would only be married to a fornicator or idolater. |
| 35. | Marrying a divorced woman in order to make her lawful for the husband | Reported by At-TimJidhi. | Ibn Mas’ud (may Allah be pleased with him) said that “The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) cursed the man who marries a women after her divorce solely to permit her first husband. |
| 36. | Not protecting oneself from urine | AI-Mudathir: 4 | Purify your garments. |
| 37. | Showing-off | AnNisa’: 142 | Surely the hypocrites seek to deceive Allah, but He outwits them. When they stand up for prayer, they do it half-heartedly only to be seen by people—hardly remembering Allah at all. |
| 38. | Learning knowledge of the religion for the sake of this world and concealing that knowledge | Fatir: 28 | Those truly fear Allah among His servants who have knowledge, for Allah, is Exalted in Might, oft- Forgiving. |
| 39. | Betrayal of trust | Al-Anfal: 27 | O believers! Do not betray Allah and the Messenger, nor betray your trusts knowingly. |
| 40. | Recounting favors | AI-Baqarah: 264 | O ye who believe! Cancel not your charity by reminders of your generosity or by injury |
| 41. | Denying Allah’s Decree | AI-Qamar: 49 | We have created everything in a determined measure. [Read Tafsir] |
| 42. | Listening to people’s private conversations / eavesdropping | Al-Hujurat: 12 and Hadith | Quran, ”And spy not on each other.” / The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) declared, “Whoever listens to people who are averse to his listening shall have molten lead poured into his ears on the Day of Judgment. Reported by AI-Bukhari. |
| 43. | Carrying tales | Riyad as-Salihin 1547 | Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) said: The Prophet (ﷺ) said, “It is enough for a man to prove himself a liar when he goes on narrating whatever he hears.” – [Muslim] |
| 44. | Cursing | SAHIH BUKHARI, BOOK 88 | The Prophet, said, “Abusing a Muslim is Fusuq (evil doing) and killing him is Kufr (disbelief).” |
| 45. | Breaking contracts | AI-Isra: 34 | And fulfill (every) engagement, for (every) engagement will be enquired into on the day of reckoning |
| 46. | Believing in fortune-tellers and astrologers | AI-Isra’: 36 | And pursue not that of which thou hast no knowledge, for surely the hearing, the sight, the learnt all of those shall be questioned of. |
| 47. | A woman’s bad conduct towards her husband | An-Nisa’: 34 | As to those women on whose part ye fear disloyalty and ill conduct, admonish them first. Next refuse to share their beds and lastly beat them (lightly). If they return to obedience, seek not means against them (of annoyance); for Allah is Most High, great (above you all). |
| 48. | Making statues and pictures | Sunan an-Nasa’i 5360 | It was narrated that Abu Hurairah said: “The Messenger of Allah [SAW] said: ‘Whoever makes an image will be commanded on the Day of Resurrection to breathe the soul into it but he will not be able to do so.'” [Watch Dr. Zakir Naik on this] |
| 49. | Lamenting, wailing, tearing the clothing, and doing other things of this sort when an affliction befalls | Hadith | The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) cleared himself from the woman who loudly lament, the one who shaves or plucks out her hair when being afflicted with an adversity, and the one who rips off her clothes. (Bukhari and Muslim) |
| 50. | Treating others unjustly | Ash-Shura: 42 | The blame is only against those who oppress men with wrongdoing and insolently transgress beyond bounds through the land, defying right and justice: for such there will be a chastisement grievous |
| 51. | Overbearing conduct toward the wife, the servant, the weak, and animals | An-Nisa: 36 | Serve Allah and join not any partners with Him, and do good to parents, kinsfolk, orphans, those in need, neighbors who are of kin, neighbors who are strangers, the companion by your side, the way-fairer( ye meet) and what your right hands possess: for Allah loveth not the arrogant, the vainglorious |
| 52. | Offending one’s neighbor | Bukhari | By Allah, he does not believe. By Allah, he does not believe. By Allah, he does not believe. Someone asked, Whom, O Messenger of Allah? And he said, He whose neighbor is not safe from his evil conduct. |
| 53. | Offending and abusing Muslims | Al-Ahzab: 58 | And those who annoy believing men and women undeservedly, bear (on themselves) a calumny and a glaring sin. |
| 54. | Offending people and having an arrogant attitude toward them | Ash Shuara: 216 | And lower thy wing to the believers who follow thee. |
| 55. | Trailing one’s garment in pride | Sunan Abi Dawud 4093 | Narrated Abdur Rahman: I asked Abu Sa’id al-Khudri about wearing lower garment. He said: You have come to the man who knows it very well. The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: The way for a believer to wear a lower garment is to have it halfway down his legs and he is guilty of no sin if it comes halfway between that and the ankles, but what comes lower than the ankles is in Hell. On the day of Resurrection. Allah will not look at him who trails his lower garment conceitedly. |
| 56. | Men wearing silk and gold | Sahih Bukhari, Volume 7, Book 72, Number 720: | Narrated Abu ‘Uthman: While we were with ‘Utba. ‘Umar wrote to us: The Prophet said, “There is none who wears silk in this world except that he will wear nothing of it in the Hereafter.” ‘ Abu ‘Uthman pointed out with his middle and index fingers. |
| 57. | A slave running away from his master | Sahih Muslim 70 | Jarir b. Abdullah reported it from the Holy Prophet: When the slave runs away from his master, his prayer is not accepted. |
| 58. | Slaughtering an animal which has been dedicated to anyone other than ALLAH | Al-Anam: 121 | Eat not of what the name of Allah has not been mentioned over. |
| 59. | To knowingly ascribe one’s paternity to a father other than one’s own | Al-Bukhari and Muslim | Sa‘d ibn Abi Waqqās (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: “Anyone falsely claims to be the son of other than his father, knowing that he is not his father, will be forbidden to enter Paradise.” |
| 60. | Arguing and disputing violently | Al-Baqarah: 204-205 | There is the type of man whose speech about this worldly life may dazzle thee and he calls Allah to witness about what is in his heart, yet he is the most contentious of enemies. When he turns his back, his aim everywhere is to spread mischief through the earth and destroy crops and progeny but Allah loveth not mischief |
| 61. | Withholding excess water | Al-Mulk: 30 | Say, See ye? If your stream was lost one morning (in the underground), who then can supply you with clear flowing water? |
| 62. | Giving short weight or measure | AlMutaffifeen: 1-6 | Woe to those that deal in fraud, those who, when they have to receive a measure from men, exact full measure, but when they have to give a measure or weight to men, give less than due. Do not they think that they will be raised upon a Mighty Day, a day when (all) mankind will stand before the Lord of the worlds? |
| 63. | Feeling insecure from ALLAH’s Plan | Al-Anam: 44 | Until, in the midst of their enjoyment of our gifts, on a sudden We called then to account, when lot They were plunged in despair! |
| 64. | Despairing of the Mercy of Allah and Losing of Hope | Yusuf: 87 | And never give up hope of Allah’s soothing mercy: truly no one despairs of Allah’s soothing mercy, except those who have no faith. |
| 65. | Not praying in congregation but praying alone without an excuse | Book 8, Hadith 3 | By Him in whose hand myself is! I had in mind to order firewood to be collected, then to order the prayer to be called, and to appoint a man to lead the people in prayer, and then to come up behind certain men and burn their houses down about them! |
| 66. | Persistently missing Friday Prayers without any excuse | Al-Qalam: 42-43 | The Day that the shin shall be laid bare, and they shall be summoned to prostrate, but they shall not be able. Their eyes will be cast down ignomity will cover them, seeing that they had been summoned aforetime to bow in adoration, while they were whole, (and had refused). |
| 67. | Usurping the rights of the heir through bequests | An-Nisa’: 12 | After payment of legacies and debts: so that no loss is caused (to any). |
| 68. | Deceiving and plotting evil | Fatir: 43 | But the plotting of evil will hem in only the authors thereof |
| 69. | Spying for the enemy of the Muslims | Quran, 49:12 | Allah (Most High) says, “O believers! Avoid many suspicions, (for) indeed, some suspicions are sinful. And do not spy, nor backbite one another. Would any of you like to eat the flesh of their dead brother? You would despise that! And fear Allah. Surely Allah is (the) Accepter of Repentance, Most Merciful.” |
| 70. | Cursing or insulting any of the Companions of ALLAH’s Messenger (S.A.W)(pbuh) | Sahih al-Bukhari 3673 | Narrated Abu Sa`id: The Prophet (ﷺ) said, “Do not abuse my companions for if any one of you spent gold equal to Uhud (in Allah’s Cause) it would not be equal to a Mud or even a half Mud spent by one of them.” |
These are the 70 Majors sins in Islam, and we should try our best to stay away from them. May Allah protect us from HIS wrath.