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Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books Greater Sins Volume 3 The Fortieth Greater Sin: Persistence in Minor Sins The fortieth Greater Sin according to Qur’an and the traditions of Ma’sūmīn (a.s.) is committing a lesser (minor) sin repeatedly. Amash relates from Imam Sadiq (a.s.): “And consistency upon the smaller sins” is a greater sin. In the same way Sadūq has narrated that Imam Riďa (a.s.) considered, “And consistency on sins” a part of greater sin.

Similarly we have a tradition of Imam Sadiq (a.s.), “A smaller sin which is committed again and again is a greater one. And a greater sin for which one repents doesn’t remain greater.”[^1] That is, if one commits a Greater sin and repents sincerely there is no punishment for it. But if one does a smaller sin again and again, it assumes the form of greater sin. Abu Basīr says that I heard Imam Ja’far as-Sadiq (a.s.) saying: “By Allah!

As far as a person continues to sin, Allah does not accept any of his worship acts.”[^2] “If you shun the great sins which you are forbidden, We will do away with your small sins and cause you to enter an honourable place of entering.” (Surah an-Nisā’ 4: 31) This ayat is speaking about those minor sins, which are forgiven in lieu of avoiding greater sins and performing all Wajib duties.

These minor sins can therefore become a barrier in the acceptance of worship and supplication, only when they are repeated often as a result of which they assume the magnitude of a greater sin; the consequence of which is that the other acts of worship are not accepted.

There is a tradition from the Messenger of Allah (S) in al-Kāfi that says: “One of the signs of wretchedness is repeating a sin.” One of the conditions of forgiveness is that the sin should not be repeated again and again One of the proofs that repetition of smaller sins turns them into greater sins is, that Allah (S.w.T.) has made the giving up of sin its forgiveness and a condition for entering Paradise.

The Almighty Allah (S.w.T.) says, “And those who when they commit an indecency or do injustice to their souls remember Allah and ask forgiveness for their faults and who forgives the faults but Allah and (who) do not knowingly persist in what they have done.” (Surah Āli- ‘Imran 3: 135) According to Tafsīrul Mizan the word ‘Fahesha’ implies an evil deed and is usually used to connote adultery.

Therefore if in this ayat it is used to mean adultery then the word ‘Zulm’ should definitely mean a particular smaller sin.