This beneficial General Level course is essential for every believer. It is based on the text Kitab al-Kaba’ir (The Book of Major Sins), a short treatise, written by the encyclopedic Damascene scholar Imam Dhahabi.
The Major Sins, or the Enormities, are sins that are so grave that they come with a curse or threat of punishment in this world or the next for the one who commits them without repenting. Allah Most High tells us in the Quran that if these sins are avoided, it will result in forgiveness of the minor sins and entry into Paradise (Quran 4:31), with minor sins being forgiven through the worship and good deeds one does. It behooves every Muslim to know what these Major Sins are in order to avoid them.
The goal behind learning the major sins is to use this knowledge to protect oneself and those around them from those things which bring harm in this life and ultimately, to one’s soul in the next life. Every one of the major sins is also tied to saving humanity from difficulties and hardships that occur as a result of those sins. This course contains vital information to protect both the individual and society from detriment and wrong. Protecting oneself and community then leads to justice and goodness in this life and the next.
This course gives a foundational level of Taqwa (God-Consciousness) that is essential for every Muslim, but especially important for anyone embarking on the journey of seeking Islamic knowledge to avoid hypocrisy in one’s state and actions. Each of the major sins is tied to a practical benefit and avoidance of a societal or personal injustice that should be avoided. It starts with safeguarding faith and then enables a society free from killing, exploitation, family discord, corruption, and despondency.