The primary purpose of this article is to present the details of those seven deadly and destructive sins from which the Holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ specifically emphasized to abstain. These sins cause ruin and destruction for a person in both this world and the Hereafter. They include polytheism, sorcery, unlawful killing, usury, consuming the wealth of orphans, fleeing from the battlefield, and falsely accusing chaste believing women. In this article, the legal status of each sin, its harms, and its legal ruling in the light of the Quran and Hadith will be explained in detail so that Muslims may avoid these deadly acts and be inclined towards obedience to Allah and His Messenger ﷺ.
The Noble Hadith (Description of the Seven Deadly Sins)
Hazrat Abu Huraira رضي الله عنه reports that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
(( اِجْتَنِبُوا السَّبْعَ الْمُوْبِقَاتِ ))
“Keep away from the seven destructive sins.”
The noble companions رضي الله عنهم asked:
(وَمَاہُنَّ یَا رَسُولَ اللّٰہِ؟)
“O Messenger of Allah! What are those sins?”
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:
➊ ((اَلشِّرْکُ بِاللّٰہِ )) — Associating partners with Allah
➋ (( وَالسِّحْرُ )) — Practicing magic
➌ (( وَقَتْلُ النَّفْسِ الَّتِیْ حَرَّمَ اللّٰہُ إِلَّا بِالْحَقِّ )) — Unjust killing
➍ (( وَأَکْلُ الرِّبَا )) — Consuming usury (interest)
➎ (( وَأَکْلُ مَالِ الْیَتِیْمِ )) — Consuming the wealth of an orphan
➏ (( وَالتَّوَلِّیْ یَوْمَ الزَّحْفِ )) — Fleeing from the battlefield on the day of war
➐ ((وَقَذْفُ الْمُحْصَنَاتِ الْغَافِلَاتِ الْمُؤْمِنَاتِ)) — Accusing chaste believing women of immorality
First Sin: Associating Partners with Allah
Definition of Shirk
Shirk means to associate someone as a partner with Allah in His Lordship or Divinity. For example:
◈ Holding the belief that someone else can also control the universe.
◈ Worshipping others besides Allah, such as prostration, supplication, vows, or sacrifice.
◈ Calling upon others besides Allah in difficulties or considering them as relievers of hardship and fulfillers of needs.
◈ Having fear or hope in others besides Allah that is exclusive to Allah.
All these acts are major shirk (shirk al-akbar) which destroy all of a person’s deeds.
﴿ اِنَّ اللّٰہَ لَا یَغْفِرُ اَنْ یُّشْرَکَ بِہٖ … ﴾
Translation:
“Indeed, Allah does not forgive associating others with Him, but He forgives what is less than that for whom He wills. And whoever associates others with Allah has certainly gone far astray.”
﴿ اِنَّہٗ مَنْ یُّشْرِکْ بِاللّٰہِ فَقَدْ حَرَّمَ اللّٰہُ عَلَیْہِ الْجَنَّۃَ … ﴾
Translation:
“Indeed, whoever associates others with Allah – Allah has forbidden Paradise for him, and his refuge is the Fire. And there are not for the wrongdoers any helpers.”
Second Sin: Practicing Magic
Definition of Magic (Sihr) according to Scholars:
◈ Imam Az-Zahiri: “Magic is the act of altering something from its original reality.”
◈ Ibn Lughman: “A magician presents things by changing them from their true nature.”
◈ Ibn Qudamah: “Tying knots, reciting incantations, and performing such acts that affect a person’s heart, body, or mind.”
The Reality of Magic
Magic is a pact with Satan, in return for which the magician performs acts of disbelief and polytheism, and Satan assists him in various ways.
The Effects of Magic are Proven
The effects of magic are proven from the Quran and Hadith, to the extent that even the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ was affected by it, which is mentioned in the Hadith.
The Incident of the Hadith and Its Translation
Hazrat Aisha (RA) narrates that Labid bin A’sam performed magic on the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, and its effects became apparent. Then Allah informed him of the reality.
Brief translation of the Hadith:
“O Aisha! Allah has accepted my prayer. Two angels came… One said: Muhammad ﷺ has been affected by magic… Who did it? Labid bin A’sam… In what? A comb, hair, and date palm spathe… Where is it kept? In the well of Zarwan…”
The Command to Learn Magic and the Translation of the Verse
﴿ … وَلٰکِنَّ الشَّیٰطِیْنَ کَفَرُوْا یُعَلِّمُوْنَ النَّاسَ السِّحْرَ … ﴾
Translation:
“Solomon (peace be upon him) did not disbelieve, but the devils disbelieved, teaching people magic… and they learn that which causes separation between a man and his wife… whereas they cannot harm anyone except by Allah’s permission…”
Third Sin: Unjust Killing
Islam has given the sanctity of human life a very high status. Killing an innocent life is among the major sins whose punishment is extremely severe in both this world and the Hereafter. Allah Almighty has given a clear command that the life which has been made unlawful to kill, it is not permissible to kill it without any Shariah reason.
﴿ وَلَا تَقْتُلُوا النَّفْسَ الَّتِیْ حَرَّمَ اللّٰہُ اِلَّا بِالْحَقِّ ﴾
Translation:
“And do not kill the soul which Allah has forbidden, except by right.”
﴿ … وَلَا تَقْتُلُوا النَّفْسَ الَّتِیْ حَرَّمَ اللّٰہُ اِلَّا بِالْحَقِّ … ﴾
Translation:
“And do not kill the soul which Allah has made unlawful, except for a just cause.”
Hadiths on Unlawful Killing and Their Translations
Hadith: The blood of a Muslim is permissible in three cases
The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said:
(( لَا یَحِلُّ دَمُ امْرِیٍٔ مُسْلِمٍ … اِلَّا بِاِحْدٰی ثَلَاثٍ … ))
“The shedding of a Muslim’s blood is not permissible except in three cases:
1— A married adulterer,
2— A life for a life,
3— The one who leaves Islam and separates from the Muslim community.”
Statement on the Sanctity of Muslim Blood in the Farewell Pilgrimage
The Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said in the sermon of Arafat:
(( اِنَّ دِمَاءَکُمْ وَاَمْوَالَکُمْ حَرَامٌ عَلَیْکُمْ … ))
“Indeed, your blood and your property are sacred to you, just as this day (Arafah), this month (Dhul-Hijjah), and this city (Mecca) are sacred.”
❀ Severe Warning Against Unjust Killing
﴿ وَمَنْ یَّقْتُلْ مُؤْمِنًا مُّتَعَمِّدًا … ﴾
Translation:
“And whoever kills a believer intentionally, his recompense is Hell, wherein he will abide eternally. And Allah has become angry with him and has cursed him and has prepared for him a great punishment.”
Hadith: Both Killer and Victim are in Hell
The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said:
(( إِذَا التَقَى المُسلِمَانِ بِسَیفَیْهِمَا فَالْقَاتِلُ وَالْمَقْتُولُ فِي النَّارِ ))
“When two Muslims draw swords against each other, both the killer and the killed will go to Hell.”
The Companions asked: “Why the killed?”
He (peace be upon him) said:
(( إِنَّهُ كَانَ حَرِيصًا عَلَى قَتْلِ صَاحِبِهِ ))
“Because he was also trying to kill his companion.”
Warning Against Killing a Non-Muslim Under Treaty
The Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, said:
(( مَنْ قَتَلَ مُعَاهَدًا لَمْ يَرَحْ رَائِحَةَ الْجَنَّةِ … ))
“Whoever kills a Mu’ahid (non-Muslim citizen under protection), he will not even smell the fragrance of Paradise, though its fragrance can be perceived from a distance of forty years.”
Fourth Major Sin: Consuming Usury (Ar-Riba)
Usury is among the major sins whose prohibition is stated in the Quran and Hadith with very severe words. Consuming, giving, writing, and witnessing usury are all equally sinful.
﴿ وَأَحَلَّ اللّٰہُ الْبَیْعَ وَحَرَّمَ الرِّبٰوا ﴾
Translation:
“Allah has permitted trade and forbidden usury.”
﴿ یٰأَیُّهَا الَّذِیْنَ آمَنُوا لَا تَأْکُلُوا الرِّبٰوا أَضْعَافًا مُّضَاعَفَةً … ﴾
Translation:
“O you who have believed! Do not consume usury, doubled and multiplied, and fear Allah that you may be successful.”
﴿ … فَإِنْ لَّمْ تَفْعَلُوا فَأْذَنُوا بِحَرْبٍ مِّنَ اللّٰہِ وَرَسُولِهِ ﴾
Translation:
“If you do not desist from usury, then prepare for war from Allah and His Messenger.”
﴿ یَمْحَقُ اللّٰہُ الرِّبٰوا وَیُرْبِی الصَّدَقَاتِ ﴾
Translation:
“Allah destroys usury and gives increase for charities.”
Prophetic Hadith
(( مَا أَحَدٌ أَکْثَرَ مِنَ الرِّبَا إِلَّا كَانَ عَاقِبَةُ أَمْرِهِ إِلَى قِلَّةٍ ))
“No person takes any amount of usury except that in the end his wealth decreases.”
(( لَعَنَ رَسُولُ اللّٰہِ آکِلَ الرِّبَا … ))
“The Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, cursed the one who consumes usury, the one who gives it to eat, the one who writes it down, and the witnesses to it.”
Fifth Sin: Consuming the Wealth of an Orphan
An orphan is a child whose father has passed away and who is still young. Shariah has given special protection to the rights of orphans. Consuming the wealth of an orphan is among those grave sins for which Allah has warned severely in this world and the Hereafter.
Islam has obligated the guardian of the orphan to protect the orphan’s inheritance and wealth, to prevent it from being wasted, and to return the wealth to the orphan when he or she becomes mature and sensible.
Quranic Verses
﴿ وَاٰتُوا الْیَتٰمٰی اَمْوَالَهُمْ … ﴾
Translation:
“And give the orphans their property, and do not substitute the bad for the good, and do not consume their property with your own. Indeed, that is a great sin.”
﴿ اِنَّ الَّذِیْنَ یَاْکُلُوْنَ اَمْوَالَ الْیَتٰمٰی ظُلْمًا … ﴾
Translation:
“Indeed, those who devour the property of orphans unjustly are filling their bellies with fire, and they will enter Hell.”
﴿ وَلَا تَقْرَبُوا مَالَ الْیَتِیْمِ اِلَّا بِالَّتِیْ هِیَ اَحْسَنُ … ﴾
Translation:
“And do not approach the orphan’s property except in a way that is best until he reaches maturity.”
﴿ وَلَا تَاْكُلُوْهَآ اِسْرَافًا وَّبِدَارًا اَنْ یَّكْبَرُوْا ﴾
Translation:
“And do not consume their property wastefully, hastening before they reach maturity out of fear.”
Permission for the Guardian of the Orphan
If the guardian is poor, has no means of livelihood, and cannot work due to the responsibility of caring for the orphan, the Shariah permits him to eat from the orphan’s property in a reasonable manner according to necessity.
﴿ وَمَنْ كَانَ غَنِیًّا فَلْیَسْتَعْفِفْ … ﴾
Translation:
“And let the wealthy guardian refrain (from consuming the orphan’s property), but the poor guardian may eat according to what is appropriate by custom.”
It is understood from this that the unlawful use of an orphan’s property is not only forbidden but can also lead a person to the punishment of Hell. Allah Almighty has described it as “eating fire” and has given a severe warning.
Sixth Sin: Turning One’s Back in the Battlefield
When Muslims are fighting in the way of Allah and standing face to face with the enemy, turning one’s back and fleeing at that time is a major sin. The Quran has described it as a cause of “Allah’s wrath.”
Steadfastness in the battlefield is a sign of faith, while turning one’s back leads to cowardice and defeat.
Quranic Verses
﴿ یٰاَیُّهَا الَّذِیْنَ آمَنُوْا اِذَا لَقِیتُمُ الَّذِیْنَ كَفَرُوْا زَحْفًا فَلَا تُوَلُّوْهُمُ الْاَدْبَارَ ﴾
Translation:
“O you who have believed, when you meet those who disbelieve advancing [for battle], do not turn to them your backs.”
﴿ وَمَنْ یُّوَلِّهِمْ یَوْمَئِذٍ دُبُرَهٗٓ … ﴾
Translation:
“And whoever turns his back to them on that day—unless swerving [as a strategy] for war or joining [another] company—has certainly incurred the wrath of Allah, and his refuge is Hell—and wretched is the destination.”
When is Turning One’s Back Permissible?
➊ War tactic (Strategy)
Temporarily retreating to deceive the enemy or to gain a better position.
➋ Joining one’s military group
So that the ranks can be strengthened again and a joint attack can be launched.
Apart from these two situations, abandoning the battlefield is forbidden and invites the wrath of Allah.
Severity of this sin
◈ Causes defeat
◈ Breaks the courage of Muslims
◈ Encourages the enemy
◈ It is against the collective interest of the Ummah
That is why it has been declared a “deadly sin.”
Seventh sin: Falsely accusing chaste, innocent, and believing women of adultery
The last of the seven deadly and destructive sins is falsely accusing chaste, modest, believing women of adultery.
In Islam, the protection of self-respect and honor is given utmost importance. Falsely accusing a chaste woman of adultery is not only oppression but is severely punished under the Islamic law of Qadhf.
This sin is so severe that the person committing it is sentenced to 80 lashes in this world, their testimony is permanently rejected, and in the Hereafter, they are promised curse and severe punishment.
Quranic Verses
﴿ وَالَّذِیْنَ یَرْمُوْنَ الْمُحْصَنٰتِ ثُمَّ لَمْ یَأْتُوْا بِأَرْبَعَةِ شُهَدَآءَ فَاجْلِدُوْهُمْ ثَمٰنِیْنَ جَلْدَةً … ﴾
Translation:
“And those who accuse chaste women and do not bring four witnesses, lash them with eighty lashes and never accept their testimony; and those are the defiantly disobedient.”
﴿ اِنَّ الَّذِیْنَ یَرْمُوْنَ الْمُحْصَنٰتِ الْغٰفِلٰتِ الْمُؤْمِنٰتِ لُعِنُوْا فِی الدُّنْیَا وَالْاٰخِرَةِ وَلَهُمْ عَذَابٌ عَظِیْمٌ ﴾
Translation:
“Indeed, those who accuse chaste, unaware, believing women are cursed in this world and the Hereafter, and for them is a great punishment.”
Reasons for the Prohibition of Slander
Why is this sin so severe in Islam?
Because:
✿ It is an attack on the honor of an innocent woman
✿ It spreads corruption in the family, tribe, and society
✿ The reputation and life of an innocent person are destroyed
✿ False slander is a combination of lies, calumny, and backbiting
✿ Trust and peace in society are destroyed
Therefore, Shariah has strictly commanded that no accusation is permissible against anyone unless there are four pure, just witnesses.
❀ Protecting Your Tongue
Islam has counted the misuse of the tongue among major sins. The Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:
((وَهَلْ يَكُبُّ النَّاسَ فِي النَّارِ عَلَى وُجُوهِهِمْ إِلَّا حَصَائِدُ أَلْسِنَتِهِمْ))
“Nothing throws people into Hell on their faces except the fruit of their tongues (i.e., the earnings of their tongues).”
Therefore, slander, false accusation, backbiting, blaming, lying—all are dangerous diseases of the tongue from which complete avoidance is necessary.
❀ Conclusion
We should:
✿ Keep our faith free from polytheism
✿ Stay completely away from magic and magicians
✿ Not harm anyone’s life, wealth, or honor
✿ Not become part of the abhorrent system of usury
✿ Take care of orphans and protect their wealth
✿ Remain steadfast for the honor of the religion
✿ Protect our tongue from all kinds of slander, lies, and false accusations
May Allah protect us all from these deadly sins, forgive us for the slips we have made, and grant us the ability to sincerely repent.
Ameen, O Lord of the Worlds
