Sayings of the Salaf concerning Sins

Sayings of the Salaf

Differences between sins

It is reported from Imâm Sufyân b. ‘Uyainah – Allâh have mercy on him – that he said:
Whoever’s sin was because of [carnal] desires, hope for him (as he may repent and be forgiven); but whoever’s sin was out of pride, fear for him. For indeed, Âdam sinned out of simple desire, and was forgiven; whereas Iblîs sinned out of pride, and was cursed.
Al-Dhahabî , Siyar A’lâm Al-Nubalâ` in his biography of Sufyân b. ‘Uyainah.

To eat a dead Mule
‘Amr b. Al-‘Âs was once walking with a group of his friends, when he passed by the bloated, rotting carcass of mule. He said: “By Allah! To eat your fill from this carcass is better than eating the flesh of a Muslim (by backbiting him).”
Al-Bukhârî, Al-Adab Al-Mufrad. Shaykh Al-Albânî (Sahîh Al-Adab Al-Mufrad p266) said this narration’s chain of narration is sahîh.


It’s just a small sin
Bilâl b. Sa’d – Allah have mercy on him – said: Do not think about how small the sin is, but think about who you have just disobeyed. Ibn Al-Mubârak, Al-Zuhd wa Al-Raqâ`iq Vol.1 p150.



Until the Heart is sealed
Explanation of the verse: Nay, but their hearts were covered over by what (sins) they earned. [Al-Mutaffifîn: 14] Al-Hasan (Al-Basrî) said, “It is because of doing one sin after another, until the heart becomes blind and dies.” Qatâdah also said, “It is because of doing one sin after another, one sin after another, until the heart dies and becomes black.” Ibn Zayd said, “Their sins overcome their hearts until no good can get through to them.”

Mujâhid explained, “They used to consider the heart like a hand: when a person sins, his heart starts to scrunch up,” and he folded his little finger, “and when he does another sin,” he folded the next finger and continued until he had his fist clenched. “Then a seal is placed over it, and they used to say that this is the ‘covering’.”

Al-Tabarî in his Tafsîr, Sûrah Al-Mutaffifîn





Fasting and Backbiting
It is reported from Abû Al-‘Âliyah – Allah have mercy on him – that he said:
A fasting person is in a state of worship as long as he does not backbite, even if he is sleeping in bed.
Al-Imâm Ahmad, Al-Zuhd Vol.4 p313

There’s nothing like being safe
‘Abdullah Ibn ‘Abbâs – Allah be pleased with them – was once asked, “Who do you think is better: a man who has few (good) deeds and few sins or a man who has many (good) deeds and many sins?” He replied, “There is nothing like being safe.” Ibn Al-Mubârak, Al-Zuhd wa Al-Raqâ`iq Vol.1 p146, no.57.


The best you can meet Allah with
It is reported from ‘Â`ishah – Allah be pleased with her – that she said: You will never meet Allah with anything better for you than having few sins. Whoever wants to surpass those who exert themselves in worship, let him stop himself from committing numerous sins. Ibn Al-Jawzî, Sifah Al-Safwah Vol.1 p319.



Relative Values
Anas b. Mâlik – Allah be pleased with him – said:

You people do things today that you regard as less significant than a strand of hair, whereas we, during the time of the Prophet – peace and blessings be upon him – used to consider them destructive sins.

Al-Bukhârî in his Sahîh, Chapter on sins that are seen as insignificant but which should be kept away from.

May Allah forgive us and May Allah have Mercy upon us we are so far from the sunnah....i am speaking for myself. Look at the last saying at our time now we argue about what is haram trying to make it halah and something that is halal we try to make it look like it is haram.......IS TIME WE REPENT AND REFELECT ON WHAT ALLAH AND HIS MESSENGER ARE SAYING REITHER THEN WHAT OUT NAFS IS TELLING US AND OUR ENEMY NUMBER 1 THE SATAN THE CURSED ONE!!!!!!!!!