In relation to this...

In relation to this, God says: “and whoever kills a believer by mistake, he should free a believing slave, and blood money should be paid to his people.” [^4] In a famous tradition, we read: “Unintended Error and oblivion are forgiven for my Ummah.” 3- Opposite to that is that when one has an evil intention, but the result comes opposite to the evil intention.

Here, both the intention and the deed are blameworthy.”[^5] The meaning of “a blameworthy mistake” both in the Holy Quran and traditions is the first category when both intention and doing are evil. As for the word “Thanb” (fault), it, literally, means the tail of an animal. Hence, it means the doing that brings an evil end.

Thus, the meaning of the verse: “and who forgives the faults but Allah?” [^6] is “who forgives the consequences and punishments save God?” As for the word “Sayyi’ah”, it means evil deed against good deed. The root of this word is “Soo’” that is an act which makes man sorrowful, whether it is worldly or related to the hereafter, whether it is physical or spiritual. Good deed and evil deed can be measured on the basis of reason and religion.

In this relation, God says: “Whoever brings a good deed, he shall have ten like it, and whoever brings an evil deed, he shall be recompensed only with the like of it.” [^7] Good deed and evil deed can also be measured on the basis of human nature.

In this connection, God has said: “But when good befell them they said: this is due to us; and when evil afflicted them, they attributed it to the ill-luck of Musa and those with him.” [^8] Here, what is meant is not sin, for they have nothing to do with sin, but something which is heavy for human nature. As for the word “ithm”, one of its meanings is slowness. Hence, it may refer to those acts which deter man from rewards and good deeds. Drinking wine and gambling are among these sins.

Thus, the meaning of this verse: “In both of them there is a great sin” [^9] is that intoxicants and gambling make man sluggish to do good deeds. As for the word “issyian”, it means disobedience.

From what we have discussed so far, it is inferred that sin and its synonyms, used in the Holy Quran and the Sunnah and especially in supplications are deeds with which the Lord of the universe and the Prophet are not pleased whether it is deviation from the right path, an evil act, an evil consequence, sluggishness in doing good or disobedience.