What is the difference between a sin and a crime in His saying (Glorified and Exalted is He): “And whoever earns a sin or a crime…”?

Shaykh Salih ibn Fawzan al-Fawzan

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The questioner:
Yes. Honorable Shaykh, may Allah grant you success. In His saying, Glorified and Exalted is He:

But whoever earns an offense or a sin

وَمَن يَكْسِبْ خَطِيئَةً أَوْ إِثْمًا

[An-Nisa 4:112]

He asks: Is there a difference between sin and transgression?

The Shaykh:

But whoever earns an offense or a sin and then blames it on an innocent

وَمَن يَكْسِبْ خَطِيئَةً أَوْ إِثْمًا ثُمَّ يَرْمِ بِهِ بَرِيئًا

[An-Nisa 4:112]

, then he attributes it to an innocent person. This is not permissible; you do not attribute the sins of others to innocent people. This is not allowed; you are making them bear what they did not do.

But whoever earns an offense or a sin and then blames it on an innocent [person] has taken upon himself a slander and manifest sin.

وَمَن يَكْسِبْ خَطِيئَةً أَوْ إِثْمًا ثُمَّ يَرْمِ بِهِ بَرِيئًا فَقَدِ احْتَمَلَ بُهْتَانًا وَإِثْمًا مُّبِينًا

[An-Nisa 4:112]

This verse is in the context of verses that rebuked the hypocrites when one of them stole; one of the hypocrites stole.
The hypocrites deserved the cutting off of the hand. The hypocrites tried to pin this theft on one of the Jews so that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) would cut off his hand. They tried to pin this theft on one of the innocent Jews so that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) would cut off his hand. So Allah revealed these verses. This indicates the justice of Islam, even with the Jews. It is not permissible for the innocent to be taken for the criminal’s crime.

That no bearer of burdens will bear the burden of another

أَلَّا تَزِرُ وَازِرَةٌ وِزْرَ أُخْرَىٰ

[An-Najm 53:38]

This is not permissible, even if it were

and do not let the hatred of a people prevent you from being just. Be just; that is nearer to righteousness.

وَلَا يَجْرِمَنَّكُمْ شَنَآنُ قَوْمٍ عَلَىٰ أَلَّا تَعْدِلُوا اعْدِلُوا هُوَ أَقْرَبُ لِلتَّقْوَىٰ

[Al-Ma'idah 5:8]

. It is not permissible for the innocent to bear the criminal’s crime.
And Allah prevented His Messenger from that and forbade him to argue on behalf of the hypocrites.

And do not be for the deceitful an advocate. ⁽¹⁰⁶⁾ And seek forgiveness of Allah. Indeed, Allah is ever Forgiving and Merciful. ⁽¹⁰⁷⁾ And do not argue on behalf of those who deceive themselves. Indeed, Allah loves not one who is a habitually sinful deceiver.

وَلَا تَكُن لِّلْخَائِنِينَ خَصِيمًا وَاسْتَغْفِرِ اللَّهَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ كَانَ غَفُورًا رَّحِيمًا وَلَا تُجَادِلْ عَنِ الَّذِينَ يَخْتَانُونَ أَنفُسَهُمْ إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَا يُحِبُّ مَن كَانَ خَوَّانًا أَثِيمًا

[An-Nisa 4:105-107]

. Up to His saying (Glorified and Exalted is He)

And if it was not for the favor of Allah upon you, [O Muhammad], and His mercy

وَلَوْلَا فَضْلُ اللَّهِ عَلَيْكَ وَرَحْمَتُهُ

[An-Nisa 4:113]

a group of them would have determined to mislead you. But they do not mislead except themselves

لَهَمَّت طَّائِفَةٌ مِّنْهُمْ أَن يُضِلُّوكَ وَمَا يُضِلُّونَ إِلَّا أَنفُسَهُمْ

[An-Nisa 4:113]

. All of this is in this story, which is the theft by some of the hypocrites. They wanted to pin it on some of the Jews so that the Jew’s hand would be cut off and the hypocrite would be cleared. Yes.

Source قناة «العلامة الدكتور صالح الفوزان»، [434 -582] ما الفرق بين الخطيئة والإثم في قوله سبحانه (ومن يكسب خطيئة أو إثما)؟ - الشيخ صالح الفوزان — youtube.com

The Arabic text is a machine transcription of the audio recording.

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