Harmful Effects of Sins: Islamic View New

The Harmful Effects of Sins on Human Life – An Islamic Perspective

Islam is a complete system. It has shed light on every aspect of human life. By Allah’s grace, its followers can avoid all the misfortunes of this world, recognize the elements that negatively impact human life, and protect themselves from them. They can remain healthy and strong by avoiding the causes that harm the body.

Today, the suffering of Muslims, economic distress, social corruption, the hardships of life, and the misery of body and soul are all due to our own waywardness, lack of religious observance, bad deeds, abandoning the Qur’an, and living a life devoid of worship and supplication. We have abandoned the clear, easy, straightforward, truthful, and illuminated path of religion and chosen the path of the devil, a perilous trail of sins, and a thorny valley of dishonesty. Ultimately, the devil has led us to do what he intended, and as a result, corruption has spread across the world, divine wrath has filled the earth with human cries and wailing, our sins have destroyed our lives, our homes, and society, and have thrown everything into chaos.

The devil wants to destroy us, our families, our homes, our society, and the entire world, and we are playing the role of his accomplice, bringing about our own destruction.

Allah says:
قَالَ فَبِعِزَّتِكَ لَأُغْوِيَنَّهُمْ أَجْمَعِينَ, إِلَّا عِبَادَكَ مِنْهُمُ الْمخْلَصِينَ (ص:82-83)
Translation: He (Iblis) said, “By Your honor, I will surely lead them all astray, except for Your sincere and chosen servants.”

The above mention of the devil and his deceptions is to emphasize that through sin, a person becomes the beloved of Satan and the disliked servant of Allah. Leading sinners astray and making them act in a devilish manner is easy for Satan. However, it is difficult for him to mislead those who are sincere in their faith, who act firmly on their religion, have strong beliefs, and engage in the worship of Allah day and night. Therefore, we must hold firm to our faith and save ourselves from sins.

Sin is defined as “ترك المأمورات وفعل المحظورات” (leaving what is commanded and doing what is prohibited).

In Arabic, various words are used for sin, such as ذنب, معصية, سيئة, خطئة, إثم, فسق, فجور, فساد, etc.

There are two types of sins: Major sins (كبيرة) and minor sins (صغيرة). Major sins are those for which there is a threat of punishment, curse, Hell, or fire, while minor sins are those that do not carry such threats. However, minor sins also have horrific consequences, especially when they are taken lightly, committed repeatedly, or done openly.

Today, the sins of the Muslim ummah have placed human life on a dangerous and disastrous path. We have no one to help us; we are being slaughtered like cattle, and yet no aid comes. The poetry of Agha Hashr Kashmiri reflects the current situation:
حق پرستوں کی اگر کی تو نے دلجوئی نہیں
طعنہ دیں گے بت کہ مسلم کا خدا کوئی نہیں

The division, corruption, bribery, fornication, usury, robbery, murder, oppression, the lack of distinction between lawful and unlawful earnings, negligence in remembering Allah, and neglect of worship, the craving for evil and hatred for goodness, faith without action, and Muslims without character – all these are the result of our actions. In this advanced age, where the world has become so interconnected, the influence of evil has also expanded greatly. The effect of evil is felt quickly across the globe. Due to the effect of sin, not only individuals but entire communities are affected, and even the creatures of the land and sea are impacted.

Allah, the Almighty, says:
ظَهَرَ الْفَسَادُ فِي الْبَرِّ وَالْبَحْرِ بِمَا كَسَبَتْ أَيْدِ النَّاسِ لِيُذِيقَهُمْ بَعْضَ الَّذِي عَمِلُوا لَعَلَّهُمْ يَرْجِعُونَ (الروم:41)
Translation: Corruption has appeared throughout the land and sea because of what people’s hands have earned, so that He may make them taste part of what they have done, that perhaps they will return (to righteousness).

There are many verses in the Qur’an with similar meanings. Here are a few more examples:

Allah says:
وَمَا أَصَابَكُمْ مِنْ مُصِيبَةٍ فَبِمَا كَسَبَتْ أَيْدِيكُمْ وَيَعْفُو عَنْ كَثِيرٍ (الشورى:30)
Translation: Whatever calamity befalls you is because of what your hands have earned, and He pardons much.

Allah the Almighty says:
أَوَلَمَّا أَصَابَتْكُمْ مُصِيبَةٌ قَدْ أَصَبْتُمْ مِثْلَيْهَا قُلْتُمْ أَنَّى هَذَا قُلْ هُوَ مِنْ عِندِ أَنْفُسِكُمْ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَلَى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ (آل عمران: 165)
Translation: “When a disaster struck you, and you had struck a similar disaster, you said, ‘From where is this?’ Say, ‘It is from yourselves.’ Indeed, Allah is over all things competent.”

Allah says:
مَا أَصَابَكَ مِنْ حَسَنَةٍ فَمِنَ اللَّهِ وَمَا أَصَابَكَ مِنْ سَيِّئَةٍ فَمِنْ نَفْسِكَ (النساء: 79)
Translation: “Whatever good reaches you is from Allah, and whatever harm befalls you is from yourself.”

Allah says:
وَلَوْلَا أَنْ تُصِيبَهُمْ مُصِيبَةٌ بِمَا قَدَّمَتْ أَيْدِيهِمْ…(القصص: 47)
Translation: “And if it were not for the fact that they are being afflicted by what their own hands have sent before them…”

Allah says:
ذَلِكَ بِمَا قَدَّمَتْ أَيْدِيكُمْ وَأَنَّ اللَّهَ لَيْسَ بِظَلَّامٍ لِلْعَبِيدِ (آل عمران: 182)
Translation: “This is for what your own hands have sent before, and Allah is not ever unjust to the servants.”

Allah says:
وَإِذَا أَذَقْنَا النَّاسَ رَحْمَةً فَرِحُوا بِهَا وَإِنْ تُصِبْهُمْ سَيِّئَةٌ بِمَا قَدَّمَتْ أَيْدِيهِمْ إِذَا هُمْ يَقْنَطُونَ (الروم: 36)
Translation: “And when We let people taste mercy, they rejoice in it; but if a bad consequence strikes them because of what their hands have done, they immediately despair.”

All these verses clearly indicate that the corruption in the world is a result of our own bad deeds and sinful actions. The cause of the troubles in human life is the wicked traits within ourselves.

The harmful effects of sins on human life are numerous. Below are a few of them mentioned so that we may take heed and resolve to repent for our sins and avoid them in the future.

(1) Weakening of Memory

Sins have such a severe impact on human life that they even affect one’s intellect. People begin to make mistakes in their thinking and understanding, and their memory is severely impacted. Forgetfulness becomes a problem, and even what was once memorized begins to fade from the mind. It becomes very difficult to remember things. There is an important piece of advice related to this in the Diwan of Shafi’i, which I am sharing here:
شَكَوتُ إِلى وَكيعٍ سوءَ حِفظي فَأَرشَدَني إِلى تَركِ المَعاصي
وَأَخبَرَني بِأَنَّ العِلمَ نورٌ وَنورُ اللَهِ لا يُهدى لِعاصي
Translation: “I complained to Waki’ about my poor memory, and he advised me to abandon sins, telling me that knowledge is light, and the light of Allah is not granted to a sinner.”

(2) Deprivation of Sustenance (Rizq)

A sinner is distanced from Allah’s mercy. Their life becomes filled with troubles, and due to their sins, they are deprived of sustenance. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said:
إن العبدَ ليحرمُ الرزقَ بالذنبِ يصيبُه (حاشية بلوغ المرام لابن باز: 778)
Translation: “Indeed, a servant is deprived of sustenance because of the sins they commit.”

Righteous and knowledgeable people are blessed with sustenance, while the ignorant and sinful are distanced from Allah’s grace. Imam Tirmidhi narrated a story from Anas bin Malik (may Allah be pleased with him):
كانَ أخَوانِ على عَهْدِ النَّبيِّ صلَّى اللَّهُ علَيهِ وسلَّمَ فَكانَ أحدُهُما يأتي النَّبيَّ صلَّى اللَّهُ علَيهِ وسلَّمَ والآخرُ يحترِفُ، فشَكَى المحترفُ أخاهُ إلى النَّبيِّ صلَّى اللَّهُ علَيهِ وسلَّمَ فقالَ: لعلَّكَ ترزقُ بِهِ (صحيح الترمذي: 2345)
Translation: “There were two brothers during the time of the Prophet (peace be upon him). One of them would come to the Prophet (peace be upon him), and the other would engage in earning a livelihood. The one who was working complained about his brother to the Prophet (peace be upon him), and the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: ‘Perhaps you are being provided for because of him.'”

(3) Loss of Fear of Sin

A believer is one who feels fear when committing a sin. He fears Allah and the punishment for his actions, and repents, feeling shame for his sins and making a firm resolve not to repeat them in the future.
Consider the statement of Abdullah bin Mas’ud (may Allah be pleased with him) about how deeply a believer fears sin and how a hypocrite perceives sin:
إنَّ المؤمنَ يرى ذنوبَه كأنه قاعدٌ تحت جبلٍ يخاف أن يقعَ عليه، وإن الفاجرَ يرى ذنوبَه كذبابٍ مر على أنفه (صحيح البخاري: 6308)
Translation: “The believer sees his sins as if he is sitting beneath a mountain, fearing it may fall upon him, while the sinner sees his sins like a fly that just passed by his nose.”

We should view our sins as massive, even if they are minor. Sometimes, even small sins lead to severe trials, and when small sins accumulate, they become like a mountain.

(4) The Humiliation of the Sinner

A sinner may sometimes become humiliated and disgraced in front of people in this world, and the disgrace they face in the Hereafter is certainly a reality. Allah will not honor the people of corruption and sin in this world or in the Hereafter. However, those who fear Allah and avoid sins will be honored by Him. Allah’s command is:
يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ إِنَّا خَلَقْنَاكُم مِّن ذَكَرٍ وَأُنثَىٰ وَجَعَلْنَاكُمْ شُعُوبًا وَقَبَائِلَ لِتَعَارَفُوا ۚ إِنَّ أَكْرَمَكُمْ عِندَ اللَّهِ أَتْقَاكُمْ ۚ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَلِيمٌ خَبِيرٌ (الحجرات: 13)
Translation: “O mankind, indeed We have created you from male and female and made you peoples and tribes that you may know one another. Indeed, the most noble of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous of you. Indeed, Allah is Knowing and Acquainted.”

(5) The Difficulties of the Sinner’s Life

Allah treats those who are immersed in sin with severity, and those who continue to sin without any fear of Allah, piling sin upon sin, are often blocked from finding a way out of their life’s troubles. Peace and ease in life are granted only to the believers. Allah says:
وَمَن يَتَّقِ اللَّهَ يَجْعَل لَّهُ مَخْرَجًا (الطلاق: 2)
Translation: “And whoever fears Allah – He will make a way for him to get out [of his difficulties].”

(6) Divine Punishments Are a Result of Sins

In this world, earthquakes, storms, severe floods, droughts, famine, plagues, and incurable diseases are often the result of sins and wrongdoings. The more severe the sins we commit, the more intense the Divine wrath becomes. We may fall into diseases with no cure, becoming a lesson for others and passing away from this world.

(7) Hardness of the Heart Due to Sins

A worldly observation shows that the more one indulges in evil, the harder his heart becomes. Such a person has no love for anyone, gets easily agitated over minor things, and never behaves gently with others, even losing the distinction between his loved ones and strangers in his harshness. Allah, the Lord of the worlds, has said:
فَلَوْلَا إِذْ جَاءَهُم بَأْسُنَا تَضَرَّعُوا وَلَٰكِن قَسَتْ قُلُوبُهُمْ وَزَيَّنَ لَهُمُ الشَّيْطَانُ مَا كَانُوا يَعْمَلُونَ (الانعام: 43)
Translation: “So why, when Our punishment came to them, did they not humble themselves? But their hearts became hard, and Satan made their deeds appear attractive to them.”

(8) The Embodiment of Shamelessness

One of the worst aspects of shamelessness is that it causes a person to become utterly shameless. Such a person loses the ability to fear or feel ashamed. He becomes audacious in committing wrongs, as if he has no Creator or Owner, and as if he will never be held accountable for his actions, with no fear of reproach or disgrace in this world or the Hereafter. The Prophet ﷺ said:
إنَّ ممَّا أدرَك النَّاسُ من كلامِ النُّبوَّةِ : إذا لم تَسْتَحْيِ فاصنَعْ ما شِئْتَ (صحيح البخاري: 3484)
Translation: “Among the sayings that the people inherited from the words of the Prophets is: ‘If you have no shame, do as you wish.'”

The harmful effects of sins on human life are innumerable, and the consequences are countless. Here, I have mentioned just a few of their deep and terrible impacts. It is not uncommon for a human to sin, but it is regrettable to sin without feeling remorse. Those who sin, feel ashamed, fear Allah, and sincerely repent are the ones Allah is pleased with. The Prophet ﷺ said:
كلُّ بني آدمَ خطَّاءٌ وخيرُ الخطَّائينَ التوَّابونَ (صحيح ابن ماجه: 3447)
Translation: “All the children of Adam are sinners, and the best of sinners are those who repent.”

Here is a beautiful Hadith related to sin: The Prophet ﷺ said:
لولا أنكم تذنبون لخلقَ اللهُ خلقًا يذنبون ، يغفرُ لهم (صحيح مسلم: 2748)
Translation: “If you did not sin, Allah would create a people who would sin and He would forgive them.”

Ruling on each type of sins according to Shari’ah

Earlier, I mentioned two types of sins. Now, you should understand that the nature of sins and their forms vary. The severity of the sin is relative to its context. Some sins are committed unknowingly, some intentionally, some persistently, and some openly. Here is the ruling on each type according to Shari’ah.

1. Sins Committed Unknowingly: Regarding sins committed unknowingly, the Prophet ﷺ said:
   إنَّ اللَّهَ وضَعَ عن أمَّتي الخطَأَ والنِّسيانَ وما استُكرِهوا عليهِ (صحيح ابن ماجه: 1677)
   Translation: “Allah has forgiven My Ummah for mistakes, forgetfulness, and what they were compelled to do.”
   
2. Intentional Sins: Concerning intentional sins, Allah, the Exalted, said:
   وَلَيْسَ عَلَيْكُمْ جُنَاحٌ فِيمَا أَخْطَأْتُم بِهِ وَلَٰكِن مَّا تَعَمَّدَتْ قُلُوبُكُمْ ۚ وَكَانَ اللَّهُ غَفُورًا رَّحِيمًا (الاحزاب: 5)
   Translation: “There is no blame upon you for what you did unintentionally, but what your hearts intended, and Allah is Forgiving, Merciful.”
   
3. Persistent Sinning: Committing sins persistently is a very serious matter. Underestimating sins is also a form of persistence, and when sins are repeatedly committed, even small ones, they accumulate and become severe. The believer who sins feels remorse and repents sincerely before Allah, resolving not to repeat those sins. Allah’s command is:
   وَالَّذِينَ إِذَا فَعَلُوا فَاحِشَةً أَوْ ظَلَمُوا أَنفُسَهُمْ ذَكَرُوا اللَّهَ فَاسْتَغْفَرُوا لِذُنُوبِهِمْ وَمَن يَغْفِرُ الذُّنُوبَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَلَمْ يُصِرُّوا عَلَىٰ مَا فَعَلُوا وَهُمْ يَعْلَمُونَ (آل عمران: 35)
   Translation: “And those who, when they commit an immorality or wrong themselves, remember Allah and ask forgiveness for their sins – and who can forgive sins except Allah? – and who do not persist in what they have done while they know.”
   
4. Open Sinning: Committing sins openly is even more dangerous than previous sins. Such a person becomes the subject of Allah’s anger, and his right to forgiveness is removed. The Prophet ﷺ said:
   كلُّ أمَّتي مُعافًى إلَّا المُجاهِرينَ ، وإنَّ منَ المُجاهرةِ أن يعمَلَ الرَّجلُ باللَّيلِ عملًا ، ثُمَّ يصبِحَ وقد سترَه اللَّهُ ، فيقولَ : يا فلانُ ، عمِلتُ البارحةَ كذا وَكذا ، وقد باتَ يسترُه ربُّهُ ، ويصبِحُ يَكشِفُ سترَ اللَّهِ عنهُ (صحيح البخاري: 6069)
   Translation: “All of my Ummah will be forgiven except for those who openly commit sins. An example of open sinning is when a person does a sinful act at night and Allah hides it from others, but in the morning, he goes and says, ‘O such-and-such, I did such-and-such last night.'”
   

Allah knows all hidden and open matters, and no one should be under the misconception that they can sin secretly or in the darkness of night without Allah knowing. Allah, the Creator of the heavens and the earth, is fully aware of every action, no matter where it occurs.

Today, in the era of the internet, people are committing major sins and immoral acts in their solitude through mobile phones and openly spreading them among others without any hesitation. Such people should fear Allah and understand that the consequences of the sins they commit will fall upon them, and they will be the ones to face the punishment. Allah’s command is:
مَّنْ عَمِلَ صَالِحًا فَلِنَفْسِهِ ۖ وَمَنْ أَسَاءَ فَعَلَيْهَا ۗ وَمَا رَبُّكَ بِظَلَّامٍ لِّلْعَبِيدِ (فصلت:46)
Translation: “Whoever does a righteous deed, it is for his own benefit, and whoever commits an evil deed, it is against himself. And your Lord is not ever unjust to the servants.”

The enjoyment of sin lasts only for a few moments, but its punishment is long-lasting. On the Day of Judgment, the very limbs that indulged in sinful pleasures will testify against the person. Allah’s command is:
يَوْمَ تَشْھَدُ عَلَيْهِمْ أَلْسِنَتُهُمْ وَأَيْدِيهِمْ وَأَرْجُلُهُمْ بِمَا كَانُوا يَعْمَلُونَ (النور: 24)
Translation: “On the Day when their tongues, hands, and feet will testify against them concerning what they used to do.”

Due to sins, Allah destroys entire communities and erases nations from existence. In the Qur’an, Allah has provided examples of such destroyed communities so that other communities may take heed. Allah says:
وَكَأَيِّن مِّن قَرْيَةٍ عَتَتْ عَنْ أَمْرِ رَبِّهَا وَرُسُلِهِ فَحَاسَبْنَاهَا حِسَابًا شَدِيدًا وَعَذَّبْنَاهَا عَذَابًا نُّكْرًا (الطلاق: 8)
Translation: “And how many a city that disobeyed the command of its Lord and His messengers, and We took it to account with a severe account and We punished it with a terrible punishment.”

Another example of a destroyed city is presented by Allah:
وَضَرَبَ اللَّهُ مَثَلًا قَرْيَةً كَانَتْ آمِنَةً مُّطْمَئِنَّةً يَأْتِيهَا رِزْقُهَا رَغَدًا مِّن كُلِّ مَكَانٍ فَكَفَرَتْ بِأَنْعُمِ اللَّهِ فَأَذَاقَهَا اللَّهُ لِبَاسَ الْجُوعِ وَالْخَوْفِ بِمَا كَانُوا يَصْنَعُونَ (النحل: 112)
Translation: “And Allah presents the example of a city that was secure and content, its provision coming to it abundantly from every place. But it became ungrateful for Allah’s favors, so Allah made it taste the garment of hunger and fear because of what they had been doing.”

Now, the question arises: Why does a person sin? The answer is that such a person does not truly recognize or fear his Creator and Master. He does not worship Him as he should, does not follow His religion properly, and lacks firm belief in the Hereafter.

Another question is: What if we have committed many sins, knowingly or unknowingly, and now want to turn back to the religion of our Creator and Master, feeling regret for our past deeds and seeking to free ourselves from them? What steps should we take to repent?

Firstly, Allah forbids despair and gives a beautiful message of forgiveness to His servants:
قُلْ يَا عِبَادِيَ الَّذِينَ أَسْرَفُوا عَلَىٰ أَنفُسِهِمْ لَا تَقْنَطُوا مِن رَّحْمَةِ اللَّهِ ۚ إِنَّ اللَّهَ يَغْفِرُ الذُّنُوبَ جَمِيعًا ۚ إِنَّهُ هُوَ الْغَفُورُ الرَّحِيمُ (الزمر: 53)
Translation: “Say, ‘O My servants who have harmed yourselves by your own actions, do not despair of Allah’s mercy. Indeed, Allah forgives all sins. Indeed, He is the Forgiving, the Merciful.'”

Secondly, having complete faith in the oneness of Allah, recognizing Him as the most merciful, forgiving, and compassionate, one should sincerely repent from the heart. Allah says:
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا تُوبُوا إِلَى اللَّهِ تَوْبَةً نَّصُوحًا عَسَىٰ رَبُّكُمْ أَن يُكَفِّرَ عَنكُمْ سَيِّئَاتِكُمْ وَيُدْخِلَكُمْ جَنَّاتٍ تَجْرِي مِن تَحْتِهَا الْأَنْهَارُ (التحریم: 8)
Translation: “O you who have believed, repent to Allah with sincere repentance. Perhaps your Lord will remove from you your misdeeds and admit you into gardens beneath which rivers flow.”

Thirdly, one should engage in abundant righteous deeds so that the bad deeds are erased. Special attention should be given to those acts that are promised to bring paradise, forgiveness of sins, and immense reward.

Fourthly, it is important to remember that doing good deeds or repenting does not absolve one from the rights of others. Even performing Hajj only forgives the minor and major sins of the person, but the rights owed to others will only be forgiven when they are returned to them. A person who has observed the obligations of prayer, fasting, and zakat but has wronged others is a truly impoverished person in the sight of Allah. On the Day of Judgment, the good deeds of such a person will be distributed among those whom he harmed. If the wrongdoer’s good deeds are exhausted, the wronged person’s sins will be placed upon him until he is dragged into Hell. (Sahih Muslim)

We ask Allah for forgiveness for our sins, for steadfastness in faith and righteous deeds, and for entry into the highest part of Paradise, Jannat al-Firdaus, by His grace and mercy.