In any case, riba (usury) is prohibited—whether it is practiced openly or concealed behind stratagem and deception. What is taken by such guile is even graver in sin and brings the heart nearer to hardness—Allah’s refuge is sought—“No indeed! A stain has covered their hearts because of what they used to earn” (Q 83:14). Hence you see them employing these ploys, imagining them to be lawful and harmless, and they scarcely abandon them. By contrast, the one who commits the sin openly feels ashamed before Allah, realizes that he is disobedient, and perhaps Allah will ease his affair and grant him repentance.

To consume an orphan’s property is likewise among the destructive sins. An orphan is a child whose father dies before the child reaches puberty; such a child is helpless, unable to defend his wealth. When someone swoops down on that wealth and devours it, he has committed yet another deadly sin.

Turning one’s back on the day of battle—that is, when Muslims and unbelievers face each other in combat—is also a deadly sin, Allah forbid, except in the case Allah Himself has made exempt: “unless it be for tactical maneuvering or joining another unit” (Q 8:16).

Accusing chaste, believing, unsuspecting women of adultery—saying that she has committed fornication—is likewise one of the deadly sins; the same ruling applies to slandering a chaste man. Allah is the One who grants success.