What is the definition of a major sin?

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh.

In Sharhul Aqaaid, Imam Shamsuddin Taftazani, rahmatullahu alayhi, has enumerated the following as major sins:

Shirk (ascribing partners to Allah)

Killing a person without justification is Shariah

To accuse a chaste woman of adultery

Adultery/fornication

Fleeing from the battlefield

Practicing magic

Wrongfully using the money of an orphan

Disrespecting the parents

Apostasy

Usury

Theft

Drinking alchohol[1]

It is noteworthy to remember that some scholars have also said that there is, in fact, no such thing as a minor sin and that all sins are major. Another important thing to keep in mind is that no major sin remains a sin after sincere tawbah and that consistency in any sin will result in a major sin.[2]

For a detailed list on the major sins, it is recommended that you read a book called “Al-Kabaa’ir” by Imam Dhahabi. This book can be read from the following link: http://www.islamguiden.com/arkiv/majorsins.pdf

And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best

Muhammad Haris Siddiqui

Student Darul Iftaa
Melbourne, Australia

Checked and Approved by,
Mufti Ebrahim Desai.