Islam Guidance

Heedlessness to Allah (S.w.T.)’s Anger and Retribution

Chapter 6 

Fourth Greater Sin: Al Amno Min Makrillah (Disregard of Allah (S.w.T.)’s punishment)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Heedlessness to Allah (S.w.T.)’s Anger and Retribution
 

One of the Greater Sins is a total disregard for Divine punishment. The person is fearless of the unseen retribution and scoffs at the idea of being punished for his actions. He lives blissfully in a world of material comforts and does not realize that he is fettered down by his sins. This is a Greater Sin. The Holy Imams, Imam Ja’far as-Sadiq (a.s.), Imam Musa Kadhim (a.s.) and Imam Riďa (a.s.) have classified the fearlessness of Allah (S.w.T.)’s punishment among the Greater Sins. The Qur’an announces:

“What! do the people of the towns then feel secure from Our punishment coming to them by night while they are asleep?”

(Surah al-Ar’āf 7:97)

 “What! do the people of the towns feel secure from Our punishment coming to them in the morning while they play?”

(Surah al-Ar’āf 7:98)

 “What! do they feel secure from Allah’s plan? But none feels secure from Allah’s plan except the people who shall perish.”

(Surah al-Ar’āf 7:99)

 These Three verses clearly prohibit the fearlessness of the punishment of Allah (S.w.T.). The last verse mentions that those who do not fear Allah (S.w.T.)’s punishment would be losers in the hereafter. Divine retribution will be their lot on the Day of Judgement, as will be the fate of the unbelievers and the non-repentant sinners.

It is clear from the Qur’an that to remain heedless of Allah (S.w.T.)’s plan is a Greater Sin. Hence carelessness about the punishment and warnings of Allah (S.w.T.) is equivalent to disregard of His orders and prohibitions and an abject ignorance of His Supremacy. How can a lowly and insignificant being, now dare to oppose the Lord of the two worlds. This heedlessness and disregard is a Greater Sin that does not merit pardon, except that the sinner feels remorse and asks for forgiveness. It would appear from the above discussion that whether a sin is pardonable or not depends more on the attitude of the sinner, rather than the sin itself. If in the innermost recesses of his heart, the transgressor is fearful of Allah (S.w.T.), he is deserving of forgiveness, but if he is brazenly fearless of Allah (S.w.T.)’s punishment, he is most unfit for pardon and mercy.

The plan of Allah (S.w.T.) means a sudden punishment that descends upon the sinners, as mentioned in the Divine book,

 “Does man think that he is to be left to wander without an aim?”

(Surah al-Qiyāma 75:36)

• Next