Classifications of Sins

 

Imaam as-Safaareenee al-Hanbalee wrote:

Know that sins are of two types: abandoning an obligation, which was the sin of Iblees; may Allaah curse him. The other is doing what is prohibited, which was the sin of our father Aadam (peace be upon him). This is because Iblees was commanded to prostrate but he refused, and Aadam was prohibited from eating from the tree, but he ate from it. Then Allaah turned to Aadam in forgiveness due to his repentance and Iblees remained cursed over his sin.

Further, sin is divided into that which is Allaah’s right and the right of humans. It is further classified into four in terms of its origin: ruboobiyyah, shaytaaniyyah, baheemiyyah and sabu’iyyah. As regards the ruboobiyyah sins, they are sins committed when a lowly slave takes after the attributes of his Exalted Lord, because sublimity, greatness, grandeur, might, riches, compelling and subjugating are the attributes of the Lord the Mighty and Majestic. So whoever takes upon himself these qualities has indeed contended with the right of ruboobiyyah and mandated upon his soul its burning. As for shaytaaniyyah sins, it is by resembling Shaytaan, and among his attributes are: envy, oppression, plotting evil, cheating, deception, hypocrisy, inviting towards disobedience to Allaah, innovations and misguidance.

As regards baheemiyyah sins, examples are gluttony and the desire to satisfy lusts of the stomach and genital organ. This gives rise to fornication and adultery, theft, quarrel and disunity. Among it are eating the wealth of orphans and amassing unlawful wealth in order to satisfy desires, and this leads to the abode of ruin. Sabu’iyyah sins are anger and grudge; and from it emanate killing, beating and causing harm to the creatures which necessitates anger of the Lord.

The first class that takes over a person is baheemiyyah. When his understanding grows and increases, sabu’iyyah enters upon him. When his thought becomes strong and not fortunate, his intellect will employ him in craftiness and deception; and this would lead him to satanic attributes. Then contending with ruboobiyyah will enter upon him. At this time, adversity will become great, calamity will magnify and the anger of al-Jabbaar (the Compeller) will be severe upon him, and animals and birds will curse him. Allaah the most High said: “Pride is My cloak and greatness My robe. Whoever competes with Me in respect of either of them I shall cast into Hellfire.”

In addition, sins are classified into two – with respect to their harm – into major and minor. As for a major sin, it is forgiven through repentance. As regards minor sin, it is forgiven with prayers and the like as reported in the hadeeth…

Source: Adh-Dhakhaa’ir li Sharh Manzoomatil-Kabaa’ir, p. 101-103 by al-Imaam Shamsud-Deen Muhammad bin Ahmad as-Safaareenee al-Hanbalee; transl, by Abdus-Samee’ Abdus-Salaam.