Hadith #4184

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. All praise is due to Allah, the Lord of all the worlds. Peace and blessings be upon our beloved Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), his pure progeny, and his noble companions.

The Arabic Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

رُبَّ كبير مِنْ ذَنْبِكَ تَسْتَصْغِرُهُ۔

This can be translated as,

Many a great sin of yours is deemed by you as [being] small.

This profound statement by Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) highlights the tendency of humans to underestimate the gravity of their sins and the importance of recognizing the magnitude of our transgressions.

To understand the depth of this Hadith, let us delve into the meanings of some key words. The word (your sin) "ذَنْبِكَ" refers to any act or thought that goes against the commandments of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). It encompasses both major and minor sins. The word (deemed as small) "تَسْتَصْغِرُهُ" means to belittle or consider something insignificant.

The Quran provides us with guidance on the importance of recognizing the gravity of our sins. In Surah Al-Qamar (54:52-53), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

And everything they did is in the written records. And every small and great [thing] is inscribed.

This verse emphasizes that every action, whether big or small, is recorded and accounted for. It reminds us that even the seemingly insignificant sins should not be taken lightly.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-An'am (6:120), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) warns us,

And leave what is apparent of sin and what is concealed thereof. Indeed, those who earn [blame for] sin will be recompensed for that which they used to commit.

This verse urges us to refrain from both obvious and hidden sins, as they will all be taken into account on the Day of Judgment. It serves as a reminder that even the sins we consider small or inconsequential will have consequences.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) statement highlights the tendency of humans to downplay their sins. Often, we may justify our actions or convince ourselves that our sins are insignificant compared to others. This mindset can lead to complacency and a lack of remorse for our transgressions.

For example, a person may engage in backbiting, considering it a minor offense compared to more grave sins. However, the Quran explicitly warns against backbiting in Surah Al-Hujurat (49:12), stating,

And do not backbite one another. Would one of you like to eat the flesh of his brother when dead? You would detest it.

This verse illustrates the severity of backbiting and the importance of refraining from it.

By underestimating the gravity of our sins, we risk falling into a cycle of sinning without remorse or seeking forgiveness. This can lead to a hardening of the heart and a disregard for the consequences of our actions. Recognizing the magnitude of our sins is essential for seeking repentance, seeking forgiveness from Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ), and striving to improve ourselves.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) statement serves as a reminder for Muslims to reflect on their actions and to be vigilant in recognizing the gravity of their sins, regardless of their size. It encourages us to constantly evaluate our behavior and seek forgiveness for even the smallest of transgressions. By doing so, we can cultivate a sense of humility, accountability, and a sincere desire to improve ourselves in the eyes of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ).

May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the wisdom to recognize the gravity of our sins, the strength to seek forgiveness, and the ability to constantly strive for self-improvement.