Avoid Seven Grave Sins

📖Sahih al-Bukhari 6857, Sahih Muslim 89
Abu Huraira reported: The Prophet ﷺ said, “Stay away from seven mortal sins.” They said, “O Messenger of Allah, what are they?” The Prophet said, “Idolatry with Allah, occult magic, killing a soul that Allah has sanctified except for a just cause, consuming usury, usurping the property of an orphan, fleeing the battlefield, and accusing chaste but unwary believing women.”

This Hadith lists the seven destructive sins that ruin both faith and society. Each of these sins goes against the justice, purity, and protection that Allah commands.

• Idolatry (shirk) is mentioned first because it is the greatest betrayal of the One who created us. Allah alone gave life, provides sustenance, and controls destiny. To worship or associate something with Him, whether idols, humans, or spirits, is to give creation the same status as the Creator. This is injustice at the root, for the One who made you deserves exclusive worship. You cannot add partners with Him, for partners did not create you, sustain you, or hold power over you. This is why shirk is called the unforgivable sin if one dies upon it.

Quranic Context:

📖Quran 4:48
Indeed, Allah does not forgive associating others with Him, but He forgives anything else for whom He wills. And whoever associates others with Allah has certainly fabricated a tremendous sin.

📖Quran 31:13
And [remember] when Luqman said to his son while advising him, “O my son, do not associate anything with Allah. Indeed, association with Him is a great injustice.”

For the sin of magic:
📖Quran 2:102
They followed what the devils recited during the reign of Solomon. It was not Solomon who disbelieved, but the devils disbelieved, teaching people magic… Yet they knew that whoever purchased the magic would have no share in the Hereafter.

For unjust killing:
📖Quran 17:33
Do not kill the soul which Allah has made sacred, except by right. And whoever is killed unjustly—We have given his heir authority, but let him not exceed limits in [the matter of] taking life.

For usury:
📖Quran 2:275
Those who consume interest will stand on the Day of Resurrection like one beaten by Satan into madness. That is because they say, “Trade is just like interest.” But Allah has permitted trade and forbidden interest.

For stealing the property of orphans:
📖Quran 4:10
Indeed, those who devour the wealth of orphans unjustly are only consuming fire into their bellies. And they will be burned in a Blaze.

For fleeing the battlefield:
📖Quran 8:15-16
O you who believe! When you meet those who disbelieve advancing [for battle], do not turn your backs to them. And whoever turns his back on such a day—unless maneuvering for battle or joining another group—has certainly drawn upon himself the anger of Allah.

• This verse is not about every non-Muslim, but specifically about war situations when believers are under attack. It applies only when fighting is obligated and one has already entered the battlefield. If a person himself steps forward to fight and then runs away in fear, abandoning his companions, it is considered a grave sin. However, tactical retreat or regrouping is allowed. This command protects the unity of the army and prevents betrayal in critical moments.

For slandering chaste believing women:
📖Quran 24:23
Indeed, those who falsely accuse chaste, unaware, believing women are cursed in this world and the Hereafter; and they will have a great punishment.

These seven sins are not just individual faults; they tear at the fabric of faith, family, justice, and community. The Prophet ﷺ warned us because each of them opposes the purpose of life, to worship Allah alone and to live with justice and purity.