SINS AND ITS EFFECTS

It is important for every Muslim to abstain from all sins.

Every sin has a detrimental effect on the perpetrator.

Sin harms one’s Imaan (faith) and creates weakness in it.

The Holy Qur’an and Ahadith are filled with warnings regarding sins and their injurious and detrimental effects.

Allah Subhanahu Wata’ala states:

“And they disobeyed the messenger of their Lord, so He seized them with an extremely severe seizure.” (Quran, 69:10)

Sayyiduna Abu Hurairah Radhiallahu Anhu narrates that Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam said: "When a Mu'min commits a sin, a black spot forms on his heart. If he repents, the black mark is removed and his heart is purified. If he continues committing sins, the black mark increases. This is the corrosion of the heart spoken of by Allah Subhanahu Wata’ala (in the Holy Qur'an).” (Tirmidhi)

Sayyiduna Mu’adh Radhiallahu Anhu narrates that Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam said:

“Guard yourselves against sin because the Wrath of Allah descends in the wake of sin." (Ahmad)

Sayyiduna Anas bin Malik Radhiallahu Anhu narrates that Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam said:

"Should I not show you your sickness and its remedy? Your sickness is sinning and your remedy is to seek istighfaar (forgiveness)." (Baihaqi)

Sayyiduna Thawban Radhiallahu Anhu narrates that Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam said:

“Indeed a person is deprived of livelihood because of a sin he commits.” (Ibn Majah)

It has been narrated in the book Hilyat al-Awliya' that Sayyiduna Muhammad bin Sirin felt so apprehensive because of an old debt, he said: “I know that the cause of this anxiety is a sin which I had committed forty years ago.”

Therefore, it is of utmost importance for every individual to leave and repent from his sins. Whether, it may be a minor or major, inward or outward sin. It is our duty to Allah Subhanahu Wata’ala that we leave all sins.

Allah Subhanahu Wata’ala states:

“Leave outward sin and inward sin. Surely, those who commit sin shall be punished for what they used to commit.” (Quran, 6:120)

Today many people give attention to outward sins and rarely to those sins which are related to the inner self. One must be aware of their existence, of their ailments, and of the deleterious complications and troubles that ensue from them, and recognise that these diseases prevent one from attaining the courtesy of Allah Subhanahu Wata’ala.

Knowledge of the diseases of the heart, their causes and how to remove them is an obligation on every sane adult Muslim.