is a major sin, their view implies that sins do not in themselves fall into major and minor categories. This contradicts the Quran, for Allah says:

“Those who avoid major sins and shameful deeds, except for minor lapses.”

And He says:

“And those who avoid major sins and shameful deeds, and who forgive when they are angry.”

And He says:

“If you avoid the major sins you are forbidden, We will expiate your lesser sins.”

And He says:

“What is with this record that leaves nothing, small or great, without counting it?”

And He says:

“And everything, small and great, is written down.”

There are also many hadiths concerning major sins.

The view that they number seventeen has no supporting evidence. Whoever says that they are unspecified or unknown merely tells us that he himself does not know them.

As for the view that a major sin is one for which the Fire is threatened, it may be said that this definition falls short, since the threatened punishment may be the Fire or something else. Alternatively, it may be said that every threat of punishment necessarily entails a threat of the Fire.

As for the view that major sins include every sin for which punishment is threatened, this falls within what the early generations stated. Every sin carrying a prescribed legal penalty in this world also carries a threat of punishment, though the converse does not hold. Unlawful sexual intercourse, theft, drinking wine, falsely accusing chaste women of unlawful sexual intercourse, and similar acts all carry threats of punishment. This is akin to saying: “A major sin is one for which punishment is threatened.” And Allah knows best.