The Book Of Major Sins

by Muhammad ibn Sulaymân at-Tamimi, Ibraheem as-Selek (Translator)

Some of the major tribulations of human existence come about as a result of committing sins and spreading evil in the world. Islam recognizes that the human being is imperfect, fallible, and prone to committing sins. This is part of the human’s innately weak nature as a mortal creature, and Allah forgives all sins, if He wills. However, if we have the ability to find out what the major sins are, and we have the knowledge and the wherewithal to avoid committing them, then we are held accountable. The Book of Major Sins is a useful handbook for every Muslim who wishes to please Allah and to avoid His wrath by learning what Allah has proscribed for him or her and making every effort to keep away from major sins.

Genres: Islam

116 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1999

About the author

Shaykh Muhammad ibn Sulaymân at-Tamimi was a leading revivalist of the 12th H (18th CE) century who is famous for his call to return to the original teachings of Islam, as based on the Qur’an and the authentic Hadith of the Prophet’s Sunnah. As a reformer, he refuted innovations and deviations from these teachings. He focused on purification which started with the internal correction of basic beliefs and the purity of intention. He rejected the blind following practiced by many adherents of the different schools of thought, and he rebuffed the division this caused among the Muslims.

Upholding tawheed (the fundamental Islamic teaching of monotheism) was his primary concern. Though the Shaykh mostly instigated change through religious instruction and debate rather than physical acts, he also caused great controversy at the time by supporting his belief in tawheed with appropriate actions. The Sheikh encouraged Muslims to pull down structures built over graves for the purpose of venerating or seeking the intercession of the pious people who were buried there. The Shaykh also participated in cutting down supposedly ‘magical’ trees which people visited to get blessings and ask for cures.

The Shaykh’s preaching earned him enemies, who mainly opposed him in the name tradition or politics. Throughout these difficulties, the Shaykh continued to be a lecturer and teacher, and he also served as a judge.

Shaykh Muhammad was born to a religious family in a town near Riyadh. He memorized the entire Qur’an before he had reached the age of ten. Later, he travelled to further his studies in the religious centres of Makkah, Madinah and Basra before returning to his Saudi hometown around the year 1152H (1740CE). The Shaykh died in 1206H (1792CE).

His children, grandchildren and students continued on with his message of revival, purification, and return to the Islamic fundamentals. There have been many scholars among his descendents, who are known by the family name Âl al-Shaykh, or ‘House of the Shaykh’.

Reviews

[سيرين · Rating 2 out of 5]

I haven’t read the whole book—I'm about 20 pages in. The book provides Quranic and Hadith references but lacks context or explanation. I’m someone who needs extra clarification and examples, so it didn’t benefit me as much as I’d hoped. This book might be more suitable for readers who don’t rely on examples or explanations.

[Aminu · Rating 5 out of 5]

the book is wonderful. I once reads it from a friend and eventually feel enlightened by its content. its is surely very inviting. May Allah help us to desist ourselves from committing all sorts of sin being it major or lesser. Ameen.

[catherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Due to it being short (about 114 pages) and accessible, it's a perfect read to begin the year with; without it being as menacing as the title sounds! (although I supposed that is subjective) I've had the book for quite a few months, and have only flicked through it a few times to read a couple of topics; but I resolved to read this book on New Year's Day and to use it as a meaningful book-to-help-you-help-yourself. The content, which is compiled from hadiths and quotes from the Qur'an, provides the reader with much to reflect upon and to motivate changes to work on improving ourselves.

There is something which didn't make sense to me, and it would be nice if the book provided some details for readers who would like to clarify certain topics.

If there were no misprints or grammatical errors I would rate it higher; although this book doesn't have nearly as many mistakes as some of the books I have read, unfortunately I am becoming accustomed to grammatical errors or spellings in English-language Islamic books, which I find insulting to the English language. For the record, I will happily proofread, for free, the next Islamic English-language book before it's let loose on my poor, beaten, fellow Englishman's eyes.

[Fahed Mohd · Rating 3 out of 5]

No description of shirk and salah and sorcery

[Ree · Rating 4 out of 5]

Informative. I didn’t know some of these were sins, let alone major ones. Such as, eloquence & artificiality in speech (a.k.a. being silver-tongued) and frightening a muslim even as a joke. Really recommend it for everyone, there’s so many seemingly little or normalised habits that might be passing under your radar & there’s so much wisdom. My favourite quote is:

The Messenger of Allah said: Help your brother, whether he is an oppressor or an oppressed one.

People asked: O Allah’s Messenger! How should we help if he is an oppressor?

The Prophet said: By preventing him from oppressing others.


I felt my brain literally alter at that point. It really shifted perspective for me on a lot of things. I think there’s a lot to be said about compassion and community there, and most of the sins related to community & upholding the ties of brotherhood and kinship between family, friends and neighbours. I went into this thinking I would find a list of prohibitions, but instead I found a really beautiful message about maintaining compassion & mercy to both the people and animals around you. Overall, a light, productive & beneficial read.

My only caveat is I wish there were some explanations for the hadith, some context or background to help me because I googled I couple for some background information. But I suppose it keeps the book light & easy to quickly reference as needed.

I hope I can implement these habits in my life insha’Allah

[Lemon stardust · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mainly comprised of hadith and verses of the Quran, there are some bits that I think needed some explanation and background however all in all excellent read may Allah guide us all

[Iroda Toirova · Rating 5 out of 5]

Straight to the point. Will definitely reread.

[Simsim · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well it was very informative but it just had hadeeths and ayahs .
It didn't go to further explain the idea
Or speak to the reader or explain in normal simple English.

[Dzenana · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is just a list of major sins followed by ayats and hadiths. No meaningful insights and in-depth explanations by the author. Really disappointing.

[Laiba M · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.8 it was good, lots of short and to the point things, but at times, the wording was a bit hard to grasp.

[𐙚 🇵🇸 Moonie ⋆˚꩜｡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

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[Prince Ishtiaque Ahmed · Rating 4 out of 5]

It will definitely put new knowledge into your head that you DID NOT KNOW BEFORE..

[Usman Bayero · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short and precise.

[Mystery · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clear and concise. The biggest pros of the book is that it's all in one place and you'd be surprised how many of them either you have or someone you know has. And it's quiet a disappointment. With relevant ahadeeth and Qur'an verses, one realizes the importance of each of the issues. The con would be that though, I'd say the importance of most issues were proven, some made me wonder if there was a Fiqh ruling behind whether it was or not.

[Sabah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was fascinating to read. It referenced the Quran ayahs and hadiths but it lacked commentary at times when it was needed. Hence, this is the first book I've fully annotated. There was so much in this book that I had no idea were major sins and at times I felt that Allah is truly just and merciful to us. This is a must read especially for Muslims who grew up with heavy cultural influences because this book will grant you much needed clarity 🤍