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Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books Taqwa (Piety) Advice of Piety against Sins ====================== Although the word Taqwa, which has already been used in relation to many topics, included Taqwa in relation to sins too, it takes a special meaning in relation to every particular issue. Therefore, we can say that Taqwa against sins is another kind of Taqwa. The word “sins” has different connotations.

The word “Khatee’ah”, “Thanb”, “Sayyi’ah”, “Ithm”, and “Issyan” are almost synonymous to the word “sin”. They all mean deviation from the right path and opposition to a command. Therefore, we can say that what is against human and natural law is considered as sin. Suicide, jumping down from a high place, going to a polluted atmosphere, holding oneself against the gravity of the earth, and going to an unsafe place are some examples.

Evidently, there is a great difference between the sins against the natural law and the sins against the divine law. In the natural law, what is against the regulations is considered as a sin when it entails harm for human beings. Otherwise, it is not considered as a sin. One, who jumps down from a rooftop and is sure that he will suffer no harm, commits no sin.

In Islam, what is contrary to the rules, whether or not there is harm, is considered as a sin, like keeping blasphemous books, drinking wine, and having instruments of debauchery at home. In Islam, intention is very important.

A tradition says: “The people of Fire abide in Fire, for their intention in this world was that if they continue to live, they would disobey God forever.”[^1] (The harm of) the violation of the natural law occurs only in this world, whereas (the harm of) the violation of the divine law occurs both in this world and the hereafter: “This shall be as a disgrace for them in this world, and in the hereafter they shall have a grievous chastisement.” [^2] As for the word ‘Khata’, it means deviation from the right path and it can be classified into three categories as follows: 1- Great sin is when man intends, from the beginning, to do something not good, like murder.

In this relation, God says: “And do not kill your children for fear of poverty; We give them sustenance and yourselves (too); surely to kill them is a great sin.” [^3] 2- A well-known mistake is when a human being has a good intention, but he does not go in the right way.