Islamic teachings that give Muslims direction in their lives can be found in the Hadith. The following is a profound Hadith that was recounted by Imam Bukhari and Muslims. “
لاَ يَزْنِي الزَّانِي حِينَ يَزْنِي وَهُوَ مُؤْمِنٌ، وَلاَ يَشْرَبُ الخَمْرَ حِينَ يَشْرَبُ وَهُوَ مُؤْمِنٌ، وَلاَ يَسْرِقُ حِينَ يَسْرِقُ وَهُوَ مُؤْمِنٌ، وَلاَ يَنْتَهِبُ نُهْبَةً يَرْفَعُ النَّاسُ إِلَيْهِ فِيهَا أَبْصَارَهُمْ حِينَ يَنْتَهِبُهَا وَهُوَ مُؤْمِنٌ”
Translation: “The adulterer is not a believer while committing adultery, the drinker is not a believer while drinking alcohol, the thief is not a believer while stealing, and the plunderer is not a believer while plundering the property of others by force.” (Sahih Bukhari and Muslim).
In addition to adultery this Hadith covers other major sins like drinking alcohol, stealing and taking another persons property by force. This article will address how this Hadith should be interpreted in a wider context.
Hadith’s overall meaning
The connection between sinful behavior and faith (iman) is demonstrated by this Hadith. Broadly speaking it declares that an individual who commits a serious sin cannot be referred to as a believer (mu’min) at the time of the transgression. This suggests the incompatibility of sinful behavior and faith. A person is in a state that goes against the core of faith when they commit a major sin. Apostasy or the departure from Islam is not a result of this Hadith. But it also highlights how sinful behavior renders a persons faith insufficient. There are various levels of faith and ones faith can become less perfected by sinful behavior.
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The connection between actions and faith (Iman)
According to this Hadith, faith must be demonstrated via deeds as well as in ones heart. A strong faith will motivate one to abstain from sinful behaviors such as adultery, alcohol consumption, theft and forcibly taking another persons property. On the other hand committing a serious sin by someone shows a lack of faith. The fact that faith can grow and shrink is demonstrated by this Hadith. A persons faith grows when they obey on the other hand when they sin their faith grows weaker. Consequently committing serious sins is a sign that ones faith is under attack.
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Major sins effect on faith
Major sins can harm a persons faith as this Hadith further highlights. When someone commits a major sin they are separating themselves from the principles of faith and disobeying Allah ﷻ’s commands. Thus this Hadith serves as a reminder to Muslims to constantly avoid serious transgressions. It is crucial to realize though that this Hadith does not imply that a sinner instantly forfeits their Muslim status. Major sins diminish the perfection of faith but do not automatically disqualify a person from Islam according to scholars.
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Repentance and a return to Allah are crucial
This Hadith emphasizes the seriousness of major sins but Islam also offers a way for sinners to turn from their ways and return to Allah ﷻ. One way to atone for sins and regain the fullness of ones faith is to repent. In Surah Az-Zumar (39:53) Allah ﷻ states:
Say O My servants who have transgressed against themselves [by sinning] do not despair of Allahs mercy. Indeed Allah forgive all sins are. Indeed He is the Forgiving and the Merciful.
Thus a person still has the chance to turn from their sins and become a better person even if they have committed serious ones. Ones faith will be restored to its fullness and sins will be erased through sincere repentance.
Also read:Faith, Knowledge, and Deeds: The Three Foundations of Act in Islam
In conclusion
The Hadith above tells that the major sin is against faith and it will decrease faith when being done. This Hadith also illustrates how closely faith and behavior are related. Serious transgressions may cause ones faith to deteriorate. But for those who have sinned, Islam also offers a way to turn from their sins. A person can regain their faith and receive Allah ﷻ’s mercy by turning from their sins and turning back to Him.
References
Al-Utsaimin, M. bin S. (n.d.). Sharh Riyadh al-Salihin. Shamela. Retrieved from https://shamela.ws/book/7728/201
Ibn Hajar Al-Asqalani. (n.d.). Fath al-Bari. Dorar. Retrieved from https://dorar.net/hadith/sharh/4995
Radio Rodja. (n.d.). The Adulterer is Not a Believer While Committing Adultery. Retrieved from https://www.radiorodja.com/51924-tidaklah-orang-yang-berzina-saat-dia-berzina-disebut-mukmin/
Hadeeth Enc. (n.d.). Hadith No. 66239. Retrieved from https://hadeethenc.com/ar/browse/hadith/66239
