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Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books Greater Sins - Volume 1 Greater Sins and Smaller Sins Abstaining From the Greater Sins Cause the Lesser Sins to be Overlooked If one avoids the Greater Sins, the Lesser sins shall be overlooked. Allah, the Almighty, by His grace, excuses the Lesser sins.

As it is mentioned in the following verse of the Holy Qur’an : “If you shun the Greater Sins which you are forbidden, We will do away with your smaller sins and cause you to enter an honourable place of entering.” (Surah an-Nisā’ 4: 31) The Gates of Paradise are Open for the Pious The Holy Prophet (S) is reported to have said, “I swear by Allah, in Whose power is my life, there is not a single person who prays five times a day, fasts during the month of Ramadhan and abstains from sins that the gates of Paradise will not be opened for him.” After this he recited the Qur’anic verse quoted above.[^1] Intercession A person who commits a Greater Sin and does not repent for it, is a transgressor.

Salāt is not allowed behind him (he cannot lead a prayer assembly). His testimony is unacceptable. After death, he is liable for Divine punishment. By the Grace of Allah (S.w.T.) such a person may yet get salvation; and the Grace of Allah (S.w.T.) that can make this possible is the intercession of Muhammad (S) and his Progeny (a.s.).

As the Holy Prophet (S) says in one of his traditions: “My intercession has been kept for the sinful among my followers.”[^2] He (S) also said, “My intercession is specially for the sinful ones among my followers. But those who abstain from the Greater Sins, for them there is no accounting (of deeds).” That is, they would be admitted to Paradise right away. Intercession Should not Prompt one to Commit Sins There is hardly any doubt regarding the reality of Shafa’at (intercession).

Actually it is the right bestowed upon the Holy Prophet (S) and the purified Imams (a.s.), by Allah (S.w.T.), to show their greatness and position. The other aim of intercession is to make their respect evident. The people who have committed Greater Sins shall be entrusted to them. By the grace of their intercession the sinful people will be able to ascend the heights like other groups of people. All this is evident from the Holy Qur’an and the authentic reports.

It is also clear from Mutawatir (most frequently related) traditions. It would be needless to relate all such traditions for such a short discussion. Only one point must be stressed at this stage.