THE CONCEPT OF SIN

Assalamualaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh

(Peace, mercy, and blessings of Allah be upon you)

Back with me, Abu Musa.

This time, I will present a study on the concept of sin. If we understand the points that Allah SWT (Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala - Glorified and Exalted Be He) informs us about sin in the Qur'an, we will be able to avoid it.

Allah has informed us about sin in several verses, which I have classified as follows:

1. SINS AGAINST ALLAH

إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يَغۡفِرُ أَن يُشۡرَكَ بِهِۦ وَيَغۡفِرُ مَا دُونَ ذَٰلِكَ لِمَن يَشَآءُۚ وَمَن يُشۡرِكۡ بِٱللَّهِ فَقَدِ ٱفۡتَرَىٰٓ إِثۡمًا عَظِيمًا

"Indeed, Allah does not forgive association with Him, but He forgives what is less than that for whom He wills. And whoever associates others with Allah has certainly fabricated a tremendous sin." (QS. An-Nisa: 48)

إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يَغۡفِرُ أَن يُشۡرَكَ بِهِۦ وَيَغۡفِرُ مَا دُونَ ذَٰلِكَ لِمَن يَشَآءُۚ وَمَن يُشۡرِكۡ بِٱللَّهِ فَقَدۡ ضَلَّ ضَلَٰلَۢا بَعِيدًا

"Indeed, Allah does not forgive associating anything 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." (QS. An-Nisa: 116)

ذَٰلِكَ هُدَى ٱللَّهِ يَهۡدِي بِهِۦ مَن يَشَآءُ مِنۡ عِبَادِهِۦۚ وَلَوۡ أَشۡرَكُواْ لَحَبِطَ عَنۡهُم مَّا كَانُواْ يَعۡمَلُونَ

"That is the guidance of Allah by which He guides whom He wills of His servants. But if they had associated others with Allah, then [all] that they had done would have become worthless for them." (QS. Al-An'am: 88)

Explanation:

Based on these verses, a sin against Allah is referred to as shirk or associating partners with Allah in worship. This type of sin will not be forgiven and nullifies all good deeds performed.

2. SINS AGAINST ONESELF

وَٱلَّذِينَ إِذَا فَعَلُواْ فَٰحِشَةً أَوۡ ظَلَمُوٓاْ أَنفُسَهُمۡ ذَكَرُواْ ٱللَّهَ فَٱسۡتَغۡفَرُواْ لِذُنُوبِهِمۡ وَمَن يَغۡفِرُ ٱلذُّنُوبَ إِلَّا ٱللَّهُ وَلَمۡ يُصِرُّواْ عَلَىٰ مَا فَعَلُواْ وَهُمۡ يَعۡلَمُونَ

"And those who, when they commit an immorality or wrong themselves, remember Allah and ask forgiveness for their sins — and who can forgive sins except Allah? — and do not persistently repeat what they have done while they know." (QS. Al-Imran: 135)

وَمَن يَعۡمَلۡ سُوٓءًا أَوۡ يَظۡلِمۡ نَفۡسَهُۥ ثُمَّ يَسۡتَغۡفِرِ ٱللَّهَ يَجِدِ ٱللَّهَ غَفُورٗا رَّحِيمٗا

"And whoever does evil or wrongs himself then seeks forgiveness from Allah will find Allah Forgiving and Merciful." (QS. An-Nisa’: 110)

سَآءَ مَثَلًا ٱلۡقَوۡمُ ٱلَّذِينَ كَذَّبُواْ بِ‍َٔايَٰتِنَا وَأَنفُسَهُمۡ كَانُواْ يَظۡلِمُونَ

"How evil is the example of the people who denied Our verses and to themselves they were doing wrong." (QS. Al-A'raf: 177)

Explanation:

Based on these verses, Allah SWT classifies sins against oneself as wronging oneself or committing wicked/unjust acts whose consequences rebound upon oneself. In everyday language, this means harming oneself. If we carefully read the Qur'an, Allah mentions several things related to sins that harm oneself, including:

a. Drinking Khamr (Intoxicants) and Gambling (including online gambling and similar activities), mentioned in one verse:

۞يَسۡ‍َٔلُونَكَ عَنِ ٱلۡخَمۡرِ وَٱلۡمَيۡسِرِۖ قُلۡ فِيهِمَآ إِثۡمٞ كَبِيرٞ وَمَنَٰفِعُ لِلنَّاسِ وَإِثۡمُهُمَآ أَكۡبَرُ مِن نَّفۡعِهِمَاۗ وَيَسۡ‍َٔلُونَكَ مَاذَا يُنفِقُونَۖ قُلِ ٱلۡعَفۡوَۗ كَذَٰلِكَ يُبَيِّنُ ٱللَّهُ لَكُمُ ٱلۡأٓيَٰتِ لَعَلَّكُمۡ تَتَفَكَّرُونَ

"They ask you about intoxicants and gambling. Say, 'In them is great sin and [yet, some] benefit for people. But their sin is greater than their benefit.'" (QS. Al-Baqarah: 219)

Explanation:

These are categorized as harming oneself because drinking intoxicants can cause loss of consciousness, and gambling can destroy family finances.

b. Suicide (including anything that consciously leads to one's own death):

يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ لَا تَأۡكُلُوٓاْ أَمۡوَٰلَكُم بَيۡنَكُم بِٱلۡبَٰطِلِ إِلَّآ أَن تَكُونَ تِجَٰرَةً عَن تَرَاضٖ مِّنكُمۡۚ وَلَا تَقۡتُلُوٓاْ أَنفُسَكُمۡۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ كَانَ بِكُمۡ رَحِيمٗا

"Do not kill yourselves; indeed, Allah is ever Merciful to you." (QS. An-Nisa: 29)

Explanation:

This is categorized as harming oneself because suicide is an act of cutting short one's life, which is decreed by Allah SWT. Its status is the same as killing another person.

c. Zina (Unlawful Sexual Relations):

وَلَا تَقۡرَبُواْ ٱلزِّنَىٰٓۖ إِنَّهُۥ كَانَ فَٰحِشَةٗ وَسَآءَ سَبِيلٗا

"And do not approach unlawful sexual intercourse. Indeed, it is ever an immorality and is evil as a way." (QS. Al-Isra: 32)

Explanation:

This is categorized as harming oneself because committing zina increases the risk of unwanted out-of-wedlock pregnancies, which often lead to social problems. It can also cause psychological distress to the perpetrators, such as guilt, anxiety, and depression, and damage self-confidence and self-esteem. The impact on others, in this case, the family, is that zina can cause rifts in the household, both for the perpetrator and their lawful spouse, and can even lead to divorce. Zina also damages trust between spouses, which is an important foundation for building a harmonious family. Furthermore, zina can create issues related to lineage or ancestry, especially for children born from such acts, leading to legal and social problems.

d. Neglecting Obligatory Worship (Prayer, Zakat, Fasting):

مَا سَلَكَكُمۡ فِي سَقَرَ قَالُواْ لَمۡ نَكُ مِنَ ٱلۡمُصَلِّينَ

"What admitted you into Saqar (Hellfire)?" They will say, "We were not of those who prayed." (QS. Al-Mudathir: 42-43)

قُلۡ إِنَّمَآ أَنَا۠ بَشَرٞ مِّثۡلُكُمۡ يُوحَىٰٓ إِلَيَّ أَنَّمَآ إِلَٰهُكُمۡ إِلَٰهٞ وَٰحِدٞ فَٱسۡتَقِيمُوٓاْ إِلَيۡهِ وَٱسۡتَغۡفِرُوهُۗ وَوَيۡلٞ لِّلۡمُشۡرِكِينَ ٱلَّذِينَ لَا يُؤۡتُونَ ٱلزَّكَوٰةَ وَهُم بِٱلۡأٓخِرَةِ هُمۡ كَٰفِرُونَ

"Say, 'I am only a man like you, to whom has been revealed that your god is one God; so take a straight course to Him and seek His forgiveness.' And woe to those who associate others with Allah — those who do not give zakat, and in the Hereafter they are disbelievers." (QS. Fussilat: 6-7)

Explanation:

This is categorized as harming oneself because for someone who claims to be a Muslim but refuses to worship Allah, it is a form of betrayal or disloyalty. The perpetrator is called a hypocrite or a disobedient one (fasiq), and this has implications and consequences as a sin against others (which will be discussed later).

e. Denying the Day of Recompense / Judgment Day:

وَكُنَّا نُكَذِّبُ بِيَوۡمِ ٱلدِّينِ

"and we used to deny the Day of Recompense." (QS. Mudathir: 46)

Explanation:

This verse continues from verse 42 in point (d). It is categorized as harming oneself because for someone who claims to be a Muslim but refuses to worship Allah, it is a form of betrayal or disloyalty. The perpetrator is called a hypocrite or a disobedient one (fasiq), and this has implications and consequences as a sin against others (which will be discussed later).

f. Denying the Qur'an, Prophet Muhammad SAW, books revealed before the Qur'an, and His angels:

يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓاْ ءَامِنُواْ بِٱللَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِۦ وَٱلۡكِتَٰبِ ٱلَّذِي نَزَّلَ عَلَىٰ رَسُولِهِۦ وَٱلۡكِتَٰبِ ٱلَّذِيٓ أَنزَلَ مِن قَبۡلُۚ وَمَن يَكۡفُرۡ بِٱللَّهِ وَمَلَٰٓئِكَتِهِۦ وَكُتُبِهِۦ وَرُسُلِهِۦ وَٱلۡيَوۡمِ ٱلۡأٓخِرِ فَقَدۡ ضَلَّ ضَلَٰلَۢا بَعِيدًا

"O you who have believed, believe in Allah and His Messenger and the Book that He sent down upon His Messenger and the Scripture which He sent down before. And whoever disbelieves in Allah, His angels, His books, His messengers, and the Last Day has certainly gone far astr1ay." (QS. An-Nisa: 136)

Explanation:

This is categorized as harming oneself because for someone who claims to be a Muslim but refuses to obey Allah, it is a form of betrayal or disloyalty. The perpetrator is called a hypocrite or a disobedient one (fasiq), and this has implications and consequences as a sin against others (which will be discussed later).

3. SINS AGAINST OTHERS

إِنَّمَا ٱلسَّبِيلُ عَلَى ٱلَّذِينَ يَظۡلِمُونَ ٱلنَّاسَ وَيَبۡغُونَ فِي ٱلۡأَرۡضِ بِغَيۡرِ ٱلۡحَقِّۚ أُوْلَٰٓئِكَ لَهُمۡ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٞ

"The way of blame is only against those who wrong people and transgress in the earth without right. Those will have a painful punishment." (QS. Ash-Shura: 42)

وَٱلَّذِينَ يُؤۡذُونَ ٱلۡمُؤۡمِنِينَ وَٱلۡمُؤۡمِنَٰتِ بِغَيۡرِ مَا ٱكۡتَسَبُواْ فَقَدِ ٱحۡتَمَلُواْ بُهۡتَٰنٗا وَإِثۡمٗا مُّبِينٗا

"And those who harm believing men and believing women for [something] other than what they have earned have certainly borne slander and a manifest sin." (QS. Al-Ahzab: 58)

وَلِلَّهِ مَا فِي ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَمَا فِي ٱلۡأَرۡضِ لِيَجۡزِيَ ٱلَّذِينَ أَسَٰٓـُٔواْ بِمَا عَمِلُواْ وَيَجۡزِيَ ٱلَّذِينَ أَحۡسَنُواْ بِٱلۡحُسۡنَى

"And to Allah belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth so that He may recompense those who do evil for what they have done and recompense those who do good with the best [reward]." (QS. An-Najm: 31)

Explanation:

Based on these verses, Allah SWT classifies sins against others as acts of injustice towards people and exceeding boundaries without right, which ultimately harm others. If we carefully read the Qur'an, Allah mentions several things related to sins that harm others, including:

a. Damaging Nature (on land, at sea, or in the sky):

ظَهَرَ ٱلۡفَسَادُ فِي ٱلۡبَرِّ وَٱلۡبَحۡرِ بِمَا كَسَبَتۡ أَيۡدِي ٱلنَّاسِ لِيُذِيقَهُم بَعۡضَ ٱلَّذِي عَمِلُواْ لَعَلَّهُمۡ يَرۡجِعُونَ

"Corruption has appeared on land and sea by [reason of] what the hands of people have earned so that He may let them taste part of [the consequence of] what they have done that perhaps they will return [to righteousness]." (QS. Ar-Rum: 41)

Explanation:

Damaging the universe will affect nature, making it unusable by living creatures (humans, animals, and plants) or what we know as the ecosystem. This will lead to chaotic life, many natural disasters such as floods, landslides, droughts, polluted water, air, and soil, and many respiratory diseases, skin diseases, digestive disorders, etc. This means it can harm other people and even the environment.

b. Murder (individual or large-scale/war):

وَلَا تَقۡتُلُواْ ٱلنَّفۡسَ ٱلَّتِي حَرَّمَ ٱللَّهُ إِلَّا بِٱلۡحَقِّۗ وَمَن قُتِلَ مَظۡلُومٗا فَقَدۡ جَعَلۡنَا لِوَلِيِّهِۦ سُلۡطَٰنٗا فَلَا يُسۡرِف فِّي ٱلۡقَتۡلِۖ إِنَّهُۥ كَانَ مَنصُورٗا

"And do not kill the soul which Allah has forbidden, except by [legal] right. And whoever is killed unjustly – We have given his heir authority, but let him not exceed limits in [taking] life. Indeed, he has been aided." (QS. Al-Isra: 33)

مِنۡ أَجۡلِ ذَٰلِكَ كَتَبۡنَا عَلَىٰ بَنِيٓ إِسۡرَٰٓءِيلَ أَنَّهُۥ مَن قَتَلَ نَفۡسَۢا بِغَيۡرِ نَفۡسٍ أَوۡ فَسَادٖ فِي ٱلۡأَرۡضِ فَكَأَنَّمَا قَتَلَ ٱلنَّاسَ جَمِيعٗا وَمَنۡ أَحۡيَاهَا فَكَأَنَّمَآ أَحۡيَا ٱلنَّاسَ جَمِيعٗاۚ

"Because of that, We decreed upon the Children of Israel that whoever kills a soul unless for a soul or for corruption [done] in the land – it is as if he had slain mankind entirely. And whoever saves one – it is as if he had saved mankind entirely." (QS. Al-Maidah: 32)

Explanation:

Committing murder means harming others by taking a life before its appointed time. The consequence is that families are left behind, leading to economic ruin. Moreover, if the murder is on a large scale, it can destroy homes, buildings, and even the foundations of existing governments like education, employment, government structures, etc.

c. Consuming Wealth Illegally, such as Stealing, Robbery, Fraud, Corruption, Price Gouging, Financial Manipulation, and Usury (compounding loans):

وَلَا تَأۡكُلُوٓاْ أَمۡوَٰلَكُم بَيۡنَكُم بِٱلۡبَٰطِلِ وَتُدۡلُواْ بِهَآ إِلَى ٱلۡحُكَّامِ لِتَأۡكُلُواْ فَرِيقٗا مِّنۡ أَمۡوَٰلِ ٱلنَّاسِ بِٱلۡإِثۡمِ وَأَنتُمۡ تَعۡلَمُونَ

"And do not consume one another's wealth unjustly or send it [in bribery] to the rulers in order that you may knowingly consume a portion of the wealth of others in sin." (QS. Al-Baqarah: 188)

وَٱلسَّارِقُ وَٱلسَّارِقَةُ فَٱقۡطَعُوٓاْ أَيۡدِيَهُمَا جَزَآءۢ بِمَا كَسَبَا نَكَٰلٗا مِّنَ ٱللَّهِۗ وَٱللَّهُ عَزِيزٌ حَكِيمٞ

"The male [if he is] a thief and the female [if she is] a thief, cut off their hands as recompense for what they committed, a deterrent from Allah. And Allah is Exalted in Might and Wise." (QS. Al-Maidah: 38)

يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓاْ لَا تَأۡكُلُواْ ٱلرِّبَوٰٓاْ أَضۡعَٰفٗا مُّضَٰعَفَةٗۖ وَٱتَّقُواْ ٱللَّهَ لَعَلَّكُمۡ تُفۡلِحُونَ

"O you who have believed, do not consume usury, doubled and multiplied, but fear Allah that you may be successful." (QS. Al-Imran: 130)

Explanation:

Consuming wealth illegally means harming others because wealth that rightfully belongs to someone is taken without the owner's knowledge. Especially if the recipient of the wealth is someone in need, it means not only taking what is not rightfully theirs but also oppressing others, which increases their difficulties. The same applies to usury, corruption, price gouging, and financial manipulation; besides encroaching on others' rights, there are also elements of fraud and the destruction of the economic foundations of companies and the state.

d. Insulting and Defaming (Slander):

يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓاْ إِن جَآءَكُمۡ فَاسِقُۢ بِنَبَإٖ فَتَبَيَّنُوٓاْ أَن تُصِيبُواْ قَوۡمَۢا بِجَهَٰلَةٖ فَتُصۡبِحُواْ عَلَىٰ مَا فَعَلۡتُمۡ نَٰدِمِينَ

"O you who have believed, if there comes to you a disobedient one with information, investigate, lest you harm a people out of ignorance and then become regretful over what you have done." (QS. Al-Hujurat: 6)

هَمَّازٖ مَّشَّآءِۢ بِنَمِيمٖ مَّنَّاعٖ لِّلۡخَيۡرِ مُعۡتَدٍ أَثِيمٍ

"A slanderer, going about with gossip, a preventer of good, a transgressor, sinful." (QS. Al-Qalam: 11-12)

يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ ٱجۡتَنِبُواْ كَثِيرٗا مِّنَ ٱلظَّنِّ إِنَّ بَعۡضَ ٱلظَّنِّ إِثۡمٞۖ وَ لَا تَجَسَّسُواْ وَلَا يَغۡتَب بَّعۡضُكُم بَعۡضًاۚ أَيُحِبُّ أَحَدُكُمۡ أَن يَأۡكُلَ يَأۡكُلَ لَحۡمَ أَخِيهِ مَيۡتٗا فَكَرِهۡتُمُوهُۚ وَٱتَّقُواْ ٱللَّهَۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ تَوَّابٞ رَّحِيمٞ

"O you who have believed, avoid much [negative] assumption. Indeed, some assumption is sin. And do not spy or backbite each other. Would one of you like to eat the flesh of his brother when dead? You would detest it. And fear Allah; indeed, Allah is Accepting of repentance and Merciful." (QS. Al-Hujurat: 12)

Explanation:

Insulting and defaming (slander) means harming others because a good reputation known to the public can be easily destroyed, leading the person to receive a bad reputation in the eyes of society. The consequence will be social discrimination against them.

e. Ostentation (Giving charity but speaking ill of and backbiting the recipient):

يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ لَا تُبۡطِلُواْ صَدَقَٰتِكُم بِٱلۡمَنِّ وَٱلۡأَذَىٰ كٱلَّذِي يُنفِقُ مَالَهُۥ رِئَآءَ ٱلنَّاسِ وَلَا يُؤۡمِنُ بِٱللَّهِ وَٱلۡيَوۡمِ ٱلۡأٓخِرِۖ

"O you who have believed, do not invalidate your charities with reminders [of it] or [other] injury, like one who spends his wealth [only] to be seen by the people and does not believe in Allah and the Last Day." (QS. Al-Baqarah: 264)

إِنَّ ٱلۡمُنَٰفِقِينَ يُخَٰدِعُونَ ٱللَّهَ وَهُوَ خَٰدِعُهُمۡ وَإِذَا قَامُوٓاْ إِلَى ٱلصَّلَوٰةِ قَامُواْ كُسَالَىٰ يُرَآءُونَ ٱلنَّاسَ وَلَا يَذۡكُرُونَ ٱللَّهَ إِلَّا قَلِيلٗا

"Indeed, the hypocrites [think to] deceive Allah, but He is deceiving them. And when they stand for prayer, they stand lazily, showing [themselves to] the people and not remembering Allah except a little." (QS. An-Nisa: 142)

Explanation:

Riya or giving charity but speaking ill of and backbiting the recipient means harming others because it degrades the dignity of the recipient. Charity is supposed to be an act of kindness and care, but when accompanied by insults or bad gossip, it removes the value of the giving itself and instead makes the recipient feel unappreciated. Foul language and bad talk can make the recipient feel guilty and ashamed, and if the bad things said are untrue, it becomes slander.

f. Treating others poorly (parents, family, neighbors, friends, etc.):

۞وَٱعۡبُدُواْ ٱللَّهَ وَلَا تُشۡرِكُواْ بِهِۦ شَيۡ‍ٔٗاۖ وَبِٱلۡوَٰلِدَيۡنِ إِحۡسَٰنٗا وَبِذِي ٱلۡقُرۡبَىٰ وَٱلۡيَتَٰمَىٰ وَٱلۡمَسَٰكِينِ وَٱلۡجَارِ ذِي ٱلۡقُرۡبَىٰ وَٱلۡجَارِ ٱلۡجُنُبِ وَٱلصَّاحِبِ بِٱلۡجَنۢبِ وَٱبۡنِ ٱلسَّبِيلِ وَمَا مَلَكَتۡ أَيۡمَٰنُكُمۡۗ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يُحِبُّ مَن كَانَ مُخۡتَالٗا فَخُورًا

"And worship Allah and do not associate anything with Him, and to parents do good, and to relatives, orphans, the needy, the near neighbor, the distant neighbor, the companion by your side, the traveler, and those whom your right hands possess. Indeed, Allah does not like those who are conceited and boastful." (QS. An-Nisa: 36)

وَٱبۡتَغِ فِيمَآ ءَاتَىٰكَ ٱللَّهُ ٱلدَّارَ ٱلۡأٓخِرَةَۖ وَلَا تَنسَ نَصِيبَكَ مِنَ ٱلدُّنۡيَاۖ وَأَحۡسِن كَمَآ أَحۡسَنَ ٱللَّهُ إِلَيۡكَۖ وَلَا تَبۡغِ ٱلۡفَسَادَ فِي ٱلۡأَرۡضِۖ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يُحِبُّ ٱلۡمُفۡسِدِينَ

"But seek, through that which Allah has given you, the home of the Hereafter; and [yet], do not forget your share of the world. And do good as Allah has done good to you. And desire not corruption in the land. Indeed, Allah does not like corrupters." (QS. Al-Qasas: 77)

Explanation:

Treating others poorly (parents, family, neighbors, friends, etc.) means harming others because it can damage various social aspects. Non-physical bad actions will cause hurt feelings, disappointment, low self-esteem, trauma, depression, and damage trust and relationships among people. If these bad actions are physical, they can result in injury, disability, or even death.

g. Breaking Promises (Lack of Trustworthiness):

وَلَا تَقۡرَبُواْ مَالَ ٱلۡيَتِيمِ إِلَّا بِٱلَّتِي هِيَ أَحۡسَنُ حَتَّىٰ يَبۡلُغَ أَشُدَّهُۥۚ وَأَوۡفُواْ بِٱلۡعَهۡدِۖ إِنَّ ٱلۡعَهۡدَ كَانَ مَسۡ‍ُٔولٗا

"And do not approach the orphan's property except in a way that is best until he reaches maturity. And fulfill [every] commitment. Indeed, [every] commitment will be questioned about." (QS. Al-Isra: 34)

وَلَا تَكُونُواْ كٱلَّتِي نَقَضَتۡ غَزۡلَهَا مِنۢ بَعۡدِ قُوَّةٍ أَنكَٰثٗا تَتَّخِذُونَ أَيۡمَٰنَكُمۡ دَخَلَۢا بَيۡنَكُمۡ أَن تَكُونَ أُمَّةٌ هِيَ أَرۡبَىٰ مِنۡ أُمَّةٍۚ إِنَّمَا يَبۡلُوكُمُ ٱللَّهُ بِهِۦۚ وَلَيُبَيِّنَنَّ لَكُمۡ يَوۡمَ ٱلۡقِيَٰمَةِ مَا كُنتُمۡ فِيهِ تَخۡتَلِفُونَ

"And do not be like she who untwisted her spun thread after it was strong, making your oaths a means of deceit between you because one community is more numerous than another community. Allah only tests you thereby, and He will surely make clear to you on the Day of Resurrection that which you used to differ over." (QS. An-Nahl: 92)

Explanation:

Breaking promises or not being trustworthy means harming others because it shows a lack of care and falls into the category of disrespecting others. This indicates that the promise or trust was not taken seriously, and ultimately, this disregard impacts the instability of social relationships, for example, in community and national relations.

From the verses above, we can conclude that Allah attributes sins to pain that should not be experienced by oneself or others. Although point 1, "Sins Against Allah," also includes sin or pain, it does not mean that Allah feels pain, because Allah, the Almighty, certainly does not need to be worshipped and will not feel pain if not worshipped. However, this matter returns to humans themselves, because by not knowing God, aspects of social and interpersonal relationships will be violated. By not knowing God, humans will feel that these social and interpersonal relationships are ordinary, but by knowing God, there will be an affirmation that God approves or disapproves of human actions. Therefore, prohibitions arise. That is why Allah decrees that Shirk (associating partners with Allah) is an unforgivable sin, because by not knowing God, humans will cause more destruction than doing good deeds. Even now, many who know God still have the potential to cause destruction; without knowing God, surely many more humans would commit destruction. That is why Allah says in QS. An-Nisa: 79:

مَّآ أَصَابَكَ مِنۡ حَسَنَةٖ فَمِنۡ ٱللَّهِۖ وَمَآ أَصَابَكَ مِن سَيِّئَةٖ فَمِنۡ نَّفۡسِكَۚ وَأَرۡسَلۡنَٰكَ لِلنَّاسِ رَسُولٗاۚ وَكَفَىٰ بِٱللَّهِ شَهِيدٗا

"Whatever good befalls you is from Allah, and whatever evil befalls you is from yourself. And We have sent you, [O Muhammad], to the people as a messenger. And sufficient is Allah as Witness." (QS. An-Nisa: 79)

Practically, Allah divides the concept of sin into three categories:

1. Sins Against Allah (implying that humans can harm other humans)
2. Sins Against Oneself (harming oneself)
3. Sins Against Others (harming others)

The Principle:

If we commit shirk against Allah, the implication is that humans can harm other humans, meaning humans will destroy themselves. If we harm ourselves, it means we sin against ourselves. And if we harm others, it means we sin against others.

THE PROCESS OF FORGIVENESS OF SINS

1. Sins Against Oneself

Sins against oneself can be forgiven by Allah through self-reflection and sincere repentance (Nasuha), and by promising not to repeat them. (QS. Tahrim: 8)

يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ تُوبُوٓاْ إِلَى ٱللَّهِ تَوۡبَةٗ نَّصُوحًا عَسَىٰ رَبُّكُمۡ أَن يُكَفِّرَ عَنكُمۡ سَيِّ‍َٔاتِكُمۡ وَيُدۡخِلَكُمۡ جَنَّٰتٖ تَجۡرِي مِن تَحۡتِهَا ٱلۡأَنۡهَٰرُ يَوۡمَ لَا يُخۡزِي ٱللَّهُ ٱلنَّبِيَّ وَٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ مَعَهُۥۖ نُورُهُمۡ يَسۡعَىٰ بَيۡنَ أَيۡدِيهِمۡ وَبِأَيۡمَٰنِهِمۡ يَقُولُونَ رَبَّنَآ أَتۡمِمۡ لَنَا نُورَنَا وَٱغۡفِرۡ لَنَآۖ إِنَّكَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَيۡءٖ قَدِيرٞ

"O you who have believed, repent to Allah with sincere repentance. Perhaps your Lord will remove from you your misdeeds and admit you into Gardens beneath which rivers flow [on] the Day when Allah will not disgrace the Prophet and those who believed with him. Their light will proceed before them and on their right; they will say, 'Our Lord, perfect for us our light and forgive us. Indeed, You are over all things competent.'" (QS. Tahrim: 8)

2. Sins Against Others

As for sins against others, in addition to repenting, one must take steps for ishlah (reconciliation/amendment). For example, by apologizing and rectifying the harm that was done. Examples: if one acted maliciously towards another, they must apologize. If others were affected, such as by separating a couple, they must work to reconcile the couple. If one defamed someone, they must restore their good name. If a forest was clear-cut, it must be replanted. The consequences of war must involve rebuilding damaged cities/public facilities. If one committed corruption, they must return the embezzled money, and so on. (QS. Al-Baqarah 2: 160 and 224, An-Nisa 4: 114)

إِلَّا ٱلَّذِينَ تَابُواْ وَأَصۡلَحُواْ وَبَيَّنُواْ فَأُوْلَٰٓئِكَ أَتُوبُ عَلَيۡهِمۡ وَأَنَا ٱلتَّوَّابُ ٱلرَّحِيمُ

"Except for those who repent and rectify and make [the truth] clear. Those, I will accept their repentance; and I am the Accepter of repentance, the Merciful." (QS. Al-Baqarah: 160)

وَلَا تَجۡعَلُواْ ٱللَّهَ عُرۡضَةٗ لِّأَيۡمَٰنِكُمۡ أَن تَبَرُّواْ وَتَتَّقُواْ وَتُصۡلِحُواْ بَيۡنَ ٱلنَّاسِۚ وَٱللَّهُ سَمِيعٌ عَلِيمٞ

"And do not make [your oath by] Allah an obstacle against your doing good and guarding [against evil] and making peace among people. And Allah is Hearing and Knowing." (QS. Al-Baqarah: 224)

۞لَّا خَيۡرَ فِي كَثِيرٖ مِّن نَّجۡوَىٰهُمۡ إِلَّا مَنۡ أَمَرَ بِصَدَقَةٍ أَوۡ مَعۡرُوفٍ أَوۡ إِصۡلَٰحِۢ بَيۡنَ ٱلنَّاسِۚ وَمَن يَفۡعَلۡ ذَٰلِكَ ٱبۡتِغَآءَ مَرۡضَاتِ ٱللَّهِ فَسَوۡفَ نُؤۡتِيهِ أَجۡرًا عَظِيمٗا

"No good is there in much of their private conversation, except for whoever enjoins charity or that which is right or conciliation between people. And whoever does that desiring the approval of Allah – We are going to give him a great reward." (QS. An-Nisa: 114)

After the person is able to take these steps of ishlah (reconciliation/amendment), only then will Allah SWT accept their repentance, in accordance with His word in QS. Al-Baqarah: 160, "Those, I will accept their repentance."

Thus concludes my study on the concept of sin. I hope it is beneficial. This is Abu Musa, and I'll see you in future studies.

Wassalamu’alaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh (Peace, mercy, and blessings of Allah be upon you)

@Abu Musa 2025