The Criterion for Distinguishing Between Major and Minor Sins
Machine translationRead the Arabic original
Question:
Among the matters is the distinction between major and minor sins, and there is a specific number of major and minor sins.
Answer:
The correct view is that a major sin, as the Shaykh al-Islam stated, regarding the Kinnaniyyah and others, is one that is sealed with a curse, or anger, or the Fire, or where faith is denied to the person, such as theft, meaning the denial of faith to the sinner. This is evidence that this act is a major sin. Or a curse, [Al-A'raf 7:44] Allah has cursed the liars. If a curse comes from Allah or His Messenger regarding a sin, this is evidence that it is a major sin, or if there is a threat of the Fire or the anger of Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He) regarding it. All of these are indicators of a major sin. As for what is forbidden but not accompanied by any of these matters, it is a major transgression.
Among the matters is the distinction between major and minor sins, and there is a specific number of major and minor sins.
Answer:
The correct view is that a major sin, as the Shaykh al-Islam stated, regarding the Kinnaniyyah and others, is one that is sealed with a curse, or anger, or the Fire, or where faith is denied to the person, such as
The adulterer does not approach [prayer] when he approaches while he is a believer, nor does the thief
لا يدنو الزاني حين يدنو وهو مؤمن، ولا يسرقThe curse of Allah shall be upon the wrongdoers."
لَّعْنَةُ اللَّهِ عَلَى الظَّالِمِينَAllah has cursed the thief,
لعن الله السارق،
Source
قناة «العلامة الدكتور صالح الفوزان»، 14/6 شرح العقيدة الطحاوية/ صالح الفوزان — youtube.com (17:29)
The Arabic text is a machine transcription of the audio recording.