The major sins | Al-Kabair by Adh-Dhahabi in Arabic

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A genre of its own within fiqh

The works on the kabair do not follow the order of the fiqh chapters. They enumerate the major sins one by one, and for each give the texts that forbid it, the judgement of the jurists, and the consequences announced. It is a shelf halfway between fiqh and exhortation: the material is legal, the tone is that of the reminder.

The reference works

Al-Kabair by Adh-Dhahabi: the best known and the shortest. One chapter per sin, with the texts. It is the way into this shelf.
Az-Zawajir 'an iqtiraf al-kabair by Ibn Hajar al-Haytami: far fuller, in volumes, with the legal treatment of each case.
The studies on the definition of a major sin: how kabira is told from saghira, and why the lists vary from author to author.
The thematic works devoted to a single subject: the tongue, the gaze, the property of others, riba.
The contemporary abridgements, with a modern takhrij of the reports cited.

Why the lists do not agree

Because the definition of a major sin is not settled: some stop at what carries a named punishment, others widen it. Hence lists of seven, of seventeen or of seventy depending on the author. A good work here begins by stating its criterion, and that is the first mark of seriousness to look for.

What to check

The takhrij first, since the genre cites many exhortative reports of varying strength. The volume count, the gap between Adh-Dhahabi and Az-Zawajir being considerable. The presence of a stated definition in the introduction. And the level.

Related shelves

For brief exhortation, Reminders and exhortations. For the work on the heart that follows, Purification of the soul. For the rules of each chapter concerned, Complete fiqh manual. For what is announced after death, The hereafter. Overview: Fiqh.

Order and shipping

Real stock displayed, dispatch within 24 to 48 working hours, delivery to France, Europe and the rest of the world. To choose between Adh-Dhahabi and Az-Zawajir, write to us: we give the volume count and the takhrij of each.

Adh-Dhahabi or Az-Zawajir?

Al-Kabair by Adh-Dhahabi if you want a short volume, one chapter per sin, with the texts. Az-Zawajir by Ibn Hajar al-Haytami if you want the full legal treatment of each case, in volumes. The difference in length is considerable.

Why do the lists of kabair not agree?

Because the definition of a major sin is not settled: some authors stop at what carries a named punishment, others widen it. Hence lists of seven, of seventeen or of seventy. A good work states its criterion in the introduction.

Is this fiqh or exhortation?

Both, and that is what defines the genre: the material is legal, the tone is that of the reminder. That is why takhrij matters here, the genre citing many exhortative reports of varying strength. We state it on each product page.

The major sins (kabair)