Surah An-Najm (53) — Ayah 32

32. 1. Kaba'ir is the plural of kabirah. There is a difference of opinion regarding the definition of a major sin. According to most scholars, every sin is a major sin for which there is a warning of Hell, or for which the perpetrator is severely condemned in the Quran and Hadith. Scholars also say that persistence and continuity in a minor sin also makes it a major sin. Furthermore, just as there is a difference of opinion regarding its meaning and nature, there is also a difference regarding its number. Some scholars have compiled them in books, such as Kitab al-Kaba'ir by al-Dhahabi and al-Zawajir, etc. Fawahish is the plural of fahishah. Since manifestations of indecency have become very common, indecency has come to be considered as "culture," to the extent that now even Muslims have adopted this "culture of indecency." For example, televisions, VCRs, etc. are common in homes; women have not only abandoned hijab, but have made it their practice and habit to go out adorned and as living advertisements of beauty and charm. Co-education, mixed institutions, mixed gatherings, and many other occasions where men and women mix freely and converse without restraint are increasing day by day, whereas all these fall under fawahish, about which it is being stated here that those whose forgiveness will occur are those who avoid major sins and indecencies, not those who are involved in them. (2) This means committing the beginning of a major sin, but then refraining from the major sin, or committing a sin once or twice and then abandoning it forever, or merely thinking about a sin in the heart but not actually approaching it in practice—these are all minor sins, which Allah will forgive due to the blessing of avoiding major sins. (3) Ajinnah is the plural of janin, which refers to a child in the womb, because it is hidden from people's eyes. (3) That is, when none of your states and actions are hidden from Him, even when you were in your mother's womb, where no one was able to see you, He was aware of all your conditions there as well, then what is the need to declare your own purity and to praise yourself? The meaning is: do not do this, so that you may be saved from showing off.