Disbelief (kufr), associating partners with Allah (shirk), and treating a sin as permitted

Kufr, Shirk, Istihlal-e-Gunah etc (1) Kufr (Disbelief)

1. Meaning of Kufr: In Islam, kufr means rejecting faith. It is the opposite of believing in Allah. Anyone who denies something they are supposed to believe in or say, either by refusing it with their heart or words, is a "kafir" (disbeliever). This can happen even if they deny just one thing they are supposed to believe in.
2. Danger of Kufr: Kufr is a very bad thing. Those who die as disbelievers will stay in Hell forever.
3. Being Grateful for Faith: After receiving the gift of faith (Iman), a person should be thankful for it, do good deeds, and be careful not to lose it. Muslims should avoid Saying or doing anything that could lead to kufr. Remember that even Saying words of disbelief—even as a joke—can make a person a disbeliever. If someone accidentally says something wrong, they should immediately repent.
4. Examples of Kufr: There are many things that can make someone a disbeliever. Here are some examples:
5. Disrespecting Allah by Saying anything bad about Him.
6. Insulting a Prophet, including any prophet of Allah.
7. Disrespecting the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) by Saying anything negative about him, his appearance, his qualities, or his teachings.
8. Rejecting any verse of the Quran or treating it disrespectfully.
9. Making fun of any rule in Islam or considering it unimportant.
10. Considering forbidden things as allowed, like calling something haram (forbidden) halal (allowed), or vice versa.
11. Saying things like, “Why has Ramadan come? It’s such a problem!”
12. Belittling the importance of Salah (prayer) by Saying, “What good have you gained from your prayers?” or, “What have I lost by not praying?”
13. Saying they would disobey Allah’s command even if Allah ordered them to do something.
14. Starting a sinful act with “Bismillah” (In the name of Allah), like drinking alcohol or doing other sins.
15. Seeing a sin as not important or thinking, “It doesn’t matter if I do this.”
16. Believing in predictions by astrologers or fortune-tellers and trusting them.
17. Worshipping idols or asking them for healing, like praying to a statue for help.
18. Despairing in Allah’s Mercy or feeling no fear of His punishment can also be counted as kufr.
19. Calling a Muslim a Kafir: Never call any Muslim a disbeliever (kafir), even if they sin a lot, unless they clearly say something that shows disbelief or do an act of disbelief.

Kufr, Shirk, Istihlal-e-Gunah etc (2) Shirk (Associating Partners with Allah)

1. Definition of Shirk: Shirk means thinking that anyone or anything is equal to Allah in His being, qualities, or right to be worshipped. It is the act of associating others with Allah, either by believing they share His powers or by worshipping them.
2. Seriousness of Shirk: Shirk is a major sin that Allah will not forgive if a person dies without repenting for it. Anyone who commits shirk (a "mushrik") will remain in Hell forever.
3. Types of Shirk: Here are some common forms of shirk:
4. In Allah’s Existence:
5. — Example: Believing someone other than Allah is also a god.
6. — Example: Saying things like, “You are as high as God.”
7. In Allah’s Qualities:
8. — Example: Believing that someone else has all or any of Allah’s qualities by themselves, like thinking a saint or holy person knows everything, can hear everything, or controls people’s fortunes like Allah does.
9. In Worshipping Allah Alone:
10. — Example: Bowing to anyone besides Allah.
11. — Example: Fasting in the name of anyone other than Allah.
12. — Example: Sacrificing animals in the name of anyone besides Allah.
13. — Example: Releasing animals in the name of someone other than Allah.

Kufr, Shirk, Istihlal-e-Gunah etc (Note)

All these acts are forms of shirk. Muslims should avoid these and remember that all creatures are powerless without Allah. Although Allah has blessed some of His special servants with knowledge or abilities, they can only act by Allah’s permission. Only Allah has complete power to bring good or harm, so we should ask for help directly from Him. However, making dua (prayer) with the help of prophets or saints as a means to Allah can be a way to gain Allah’s blessings, as they are beloved to Him.

Kufr, Shirk, Istihlal-e-Gunah etc (3)Considering Sins as Permissible (Istihlal e Gunah)

1. What is a Sin? Breaking any Islamic rule is called a sin. This includes not doing what Allah has commanded and doing what He has forbidden.
2. Sin vs. Thinking Sin is Permissible: Committing a sin while knowing it’s wrong is bad, but thinking a sin is permissible or allowed is even worse. Believing that forbidden actions are acceptable is actually an act of disbelief (kufr).
3. Types of Sins: There are two types of sins:
4. — Major Sins (Kabira): These are serious sins that come with a warning of severe punishment in the Hereafter or have a strict punishment in Islamic law.
5. — Minor Sins (Saghira): These sins do not have a warning of a big punishment or a set punishment in this life.
6. Major Sins and Their Doers: In Islam, a person who commits major sins is called a "faasiq" (a wrongdoer).
7. Examples of Major Sins: There are different opinions about the number of major sins, but here are some commonly agreed upon:
8. — Shirk (associating partners with Allah)
9. — Unjust killing
10. — Neglecting obligatory acts (like prayer and fasting)
11. — Using alcohol or drugs
12. — Adultery or fornication
13. — Stealing
14. — Magic or sorcery
15. — Oppression
16. — Lying
17. — Bribery
18. — Interest (usury)
19. — Cheating in weighing or measuring
20. — Misusing the wealth of orphans
21. — Betraying trust
22. — Hiding true testimony or giving false witness
23. — Swearing falsely to change truth
24. — Disobeying or hurting parents
25. — Gambling
26. — Accusing pure people of immoral acts
27. — Engaging in immoral acts
28. — Treating minor sins lightly or insisting on repeating them
29. Minor Sins: There are countless minor sins, and they do not have a set number.
30. Avoiding All Sins: Muslims should try to avoid all sins, big or small. If a sin is accidentally committed, one should immediately repent.
31. — Steps of Repentance (Tawbah): Repentance involves three things:
32. — — Realizing the Harm: Understand that sin leads to Hellfire.
33. — — Feeling Regret: Feel deep sorrow and regret for the sin.
34. — — Resolving to Never Return: Make a firm decision not to commit the sin again.

We ask Allah to keep us on the path of true beliefs and protect us from false beliefs.

اَللّٰهُمَّ أَرِنَا الْحَقَّ حَقًّا وَارْزُقْنَا اتِّبَاعَهٗ وَأَرِنَا الْبَاطِلَ بَاطِلًا وَارْزُقْنَا اجْتِنَابَهٗ بِرَحْمَتِكَ يَا أَرْحَمَ الرَّاحِمِينَ