We share today a Hadith attributed to Prophet Muhammad ﷺ wherein he cautions the believers and warns them that at the time of committing three grave sins, a believer doesn't remain a believer, and unless he repents earnestly and seeks the Divine forgiveness, his faith remains doubtful.
This Hadith is mentioned in Bukhārī (Book 86 - Limits and Punishments set by Allah (Hudood) / كتاب الحدود / Chapter 20: The sin of illegal sexual intercourse / باب إِثْمِ الزُّنَاةِ ) as Hadith 6810, given herein under:
Narrated by revered Abu Huraira: The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "The one who commits an illegal sexual intercourse is not a believer at the time of committing illegal sexual intercourse and a thief is not a believer at the time of committing theft and a drinker of alcoholic drink is not a believer at the time of drinking. Yet, (the gate of) repentance is open thereafter."
Arabic Text:
حَدَّثَنَا آدَمُ، حَدَّثَنَا شُعْبَةُ، عَنِ الأَعْمَشِ، عَنْ ذَكْوَانَ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، قَالَ قَالَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم " لاَ يَزْنِي الزَّانِي حِينَ يَزْنِي وَهْوَ مُؤْمِنٌ، وَلاَ يَسْرِقُ حِينَ يَسْرِقُ وَهْوَ مُؤْمِنٌ، وَلاَ يَشْرَبُ حِينَ يَشْرَبُهَا وَهْوَ مُؤْمِنٌ، وَالتَّوْبَةُ مَعْرُوضَةٌ بَعْدُ ".
Imagine these three grave offences which even believers are guilty of committing and even after committing these sins, they just shrug off their act as if nothing bad has happened. Or even when they knowingly commit a sin, they just laugh it out and say that they would repent afterwards.
This hadith highlights the serious nature of certain sins in Islam and underscores the importance of faith in guiding a person's actions. It emphasizes that engaging in major sins such as adultery, theft, and drinking alcohol is not compatible with true belief. However, it also offers hope through the constant opportunity for repentance.
Key Points of the Hadith:
- State of Belief and Major Sins: The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) states that when a person commits a major sin, such as illegal sexual intercourse (adultery or fornication), theft, or consuming alcohol, they are not considered a believer at the moment of committing the act. This does not mean they have completely lost their faith (Iman) or that they are permanently expelled from Islam; rather, it indicates a significant deficiency or weakness in their faith at that specific time.
- Temporary Absence of Faith: The phrase “not a believer at the time” suggests that during the commission of these sins, the person’s faith is overshadowed by their sinful desires. The light of faith, which would normally prevent a believer from such acts, is temporarily absent, and they are acting contrary to the principles of true belief.
- Repentance is Always Open: Despite the gravity of these sins, the hadith concludes with a message of hope: the gate of repentance is always open. This means that no matter how serious the sin, Allah’s mercy and forgiveness are available to those who genuinely repent, seek forgiveness, and strive to change their behavior.
Implications of the Hadith:
- Severity of Major Sins: This hadith emphasizes the severe impact that major sins have on a person's spiritual state. It serves as a warning that such actions are not compatible with the qualities of a true believer and that engaging in them damages one’s relationship with Allah.
- Faith and Actions Are Interconnected: In Islam, faith (Iman) and actions are closely linked. Committing major sins indicates a lapse in the quality of one's faith because a strong believer is expected to abstain from these harmful actions. This hadith underscores that true faith should act as a barrier against sin.
- The Concept of Repentance (Tawbah): The hadith beautifully illustrates Allah’s infinite mercy and willingness to forgive. Regardless of how severe the sin, sincere repentance is always accepted. This involves feeling genuine remorse, immediately stopping the sin, asking Allah for forgiveness, and making a firm intention not to return to the sin.
- Encouragement to Avoid Sin and Seek Forgiveness: The hadith encourages believers to avoid major sins by maintaining a strong and active faith. If they do fall into sin, they are reminded not to despair but to turn back to Allah promptly. The emphasis on repentance serves as a motivation for Muslims to continually seek Allah’s mercy and improve their actions.
- Not a Loss of Faith but a Deficiency: Importantly, the hadith does not suggest that a person who commits these sins is no longer a Muslim; rather, it indicates that their faith is deeply compromised at that moment. This serves as a cautionary note for believers to guard their faith and be mindful of their actions.
This hadith serves both as a stern warning and a beacon of hope. It highlights the seriousness of major sins and their impact on a believer’s faith while simultaneously offering reassurance that Allah’s mercy is always within reach through sincere repentance. It teaches that faith should be the guiding force in a believer’s life, steering them away from sin, and that no matter how far one has strayed, the door to Allah’s forgiveness remains open.
My sitters in Islam, you entice and lure men into sin by wearing inappropriate and revealing dresses. it is for this reason; it is mandatory for Muslim women to cover their curves of the body by not wearing revealing dresses and observe Hijab. And if a woman is wearing tempting clothes or perfumes that attract men and induce in them haram thoughts, then other than the men who are being lured in to it, the women too will be guilty of doing so. And the men gazing at women will also be punished for men too have been asked to lower their gaze so as not to be attracted or enticed. Likewise, drinking is yet another haram act for when one is drunk, he loses control over senses and in this state most of acts illegal sex take place. In fact, women are forced to drink alcohol which makes them lose their senses and thus men take advantage of state.
So, believers, especially sisters in Islam, take care of your modesty and be not be alone with men or in parties where alcohol is openly drunk so as to protect your modesty and honour. Although the gate to repentance never closes, one should avoid situations when one gives into sin and loses one's chastity, and faith too. And if at all a sin has been committed, then one must earnestly repent one's act and seek Divine forgiveness for Allah is all Mercy and oft Forgiving.
May Allāh (سبحانه و تعالى) help us understand Qur'ān and follow the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, which is embodiment of commandments of Allah contained in the Qur'ān. May Allah help us to be like the ones He loves and let our lives be lived helping others and not making others' lives miserable or unlivable. May all our wrong doings, whether intentional or unintentional, be forgiven before the angel of death knocks on our door.
وَمَا عَلَيۡنَاۤ اِلَّا الۡبَلٰغُ الۡمُبِيۡنُ
(36:17) and our duty is no more than to clearly convey the Message.”
That is Our duty is only to convey to you the message that Allah has entrusted us with. Then it is for you to accept it or reject it. We have not been made responsible for making you accept it forcibly, and if you do not accept it, we shall not be seized in consequence of your disbelief, you will yourselves be answerable for your actions on Day of Resurrection.
May Allah forgive me if my posts ever imply a piety far greater than I possess. I am most in need of guidance.
Reading the Qur'ān should be a daily obligation of a Muslim - Reading it with translation will make it meaningful. But reading its Exegesis / Tafsir will make you understand it fully. It will also help the Muslims to have grasp over social issues and their answers discussed in the Qur'an and other matter related to inter faith so that they are able to discuss issues with non-Muslims with authority based on refences from Qur'an.
Note: When we mention God in our posts, we mean One True God, we call Allah in Islam, with no associates. Allah is the Sole Creator of all things, and that Allah is all-powerful and all-knowing. Allah has no offspring, no race, no gender, no body, and is unaffected by the characteristics of human life.
Please refer to our reference page: Collection of Hadiths of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ about Warning and Cautions for more Hadiths on the subject
You may also like to refer to our reference page: Sunnah and Hadith of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ to know more about sunnah of Prophet of Allah. You may also refer to our Reference Pages for knowing more about Islam and Qur'ān.
Disclaimer: The material for this post has been collected from the references as given below. If anyone differs with the material contained in this post, one may consult the references and their authors. If someone has more material about the subject, he/she is most welcome to share in the comments box to make the post all encompassing.
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