Al-Dahhak said: “A major sin is that for which Allah has decreed a prescribed punishment in this world or punishment in the Hereafter.”

Al-Hasan (1) ibn al-Fadl said: “It is whatever Allah has described in the Quran as ‘great’ or ‘grave,’ such as His saying, exalted is He: ‘Indeed, it is ever a great sin’ (al-Nisa 4:2); ‘Indeed, killing them is ever a great sin’ (al-Isra 17:31); ‘Indeed, associating partners with Allah is truly a great wrong’ (Luqman 31:13); ‘Indeed, your scheming is great’ (Yusuf 12:28); ‘Glory be to You! This is a monstrous slander’ (al-Nur 24:16); and, ‘Indeed, that is, in the sight of Allah, a grave matter’ (al-Ahzab 33:53).”

Sufyan al-Thawri said: “Major sins are those involving wrongs between you and other servants of Allah, whereas minor sins are those between you and Allah, exalted is He; for Allah is Generous and pardons.” (2) He cited in support what the shaykh Abu al-Qasim Abdullah ibn Ali al-Kirmani informed us: Abu Tahir Muhammad ibn Muhammad ibn Mahmas al-Ziyadi informed us; Abu Jafar Muhammad ibn Ahmad ibn Said informed us; al-Husayn ibn Dawud al-Balkhi informed us; Yazid ibn Harun informed us; Humayd al-Tawil informed us, from Anas ibn Malik, may Allah be pleased with him, who said: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said: “On the Day of Resurrection, a caller will call out from within the Throne: ‘O community of Muhammad, Allah, mighty and majestic, has pardoned all of you—the believing men and women. Waive your mutual claims, and enter Paradise through My mercy.’” (3)

Malik ibn Mighwal said: “Major sins are the sins of the people of innovation, while evil deeds are the sins of the people of the Sunnah.”

It was also said: “Major sins are intentional sins, while evil deeds are mistakes, forgetfulness, acts committed under compulsion, and the thoughts of the soul that have been lifted from this community.”

It was also said: “Major sins are the sins of those who deem them lawful, such as the sin of Iblis; while minor sins are the sins of those who seek forgiveness, such as the sin of Adam, peace be upon him.”

Al-Suddi said: “Major sins are the grave sins that Allah has prohibited, while evil deeds are their preliminaries and attendant acts—matters in which both the righteous and the wicked may partake—such as a glance, a touch, a kiss, and the like.” The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said: “The eyes commit adultery, the hands commit adultery, and the feet commit adultery; then the private parts either confirm that or deny it.” (4)

It was also said: “Major sins are those which people regard as insignificant, whereas minor sins are those which they regard as grave and thus fear committing,” as Abd al-Wahid al-Mulayhi informed us;