What Sins Incur Allah’s Curse, and What Sins Provoke His Wrath?
Answered by Shaykh Irshaad Sedick
Question
What sins incur Allah’s curse, and what sins provoke His wrath? Are there sins that merely attract disapproval without escalating to anger or curse (la’nat), or are these not distinguished?
Could you provide details on this compared to the teachings of the Shafi’i scholars?
Answer
In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate.
May Allah alleviate our difficulties and guide us to what pleases Him. Amin.
In Islam, the concepts of Allah’s “curse” (la’nat) and “anger” (ghadab) are used to describe divine displeasure and punishment for various sins.
These terms have been elucidated in the Quran and interpreted by scholars in the traditional works of tafsir (Quranic exegesis). Below is a collation of relevant Quranic verses addressing these sins, supported by traditional scholarly definitions and explanations.
Allah’s Curse (La’nat)
The “curse” of Allah, in Islamic theology, generally means exclusion from Allah’s mercy. This is often understood to signify a divine rejection that leaves the cursed in a state of disgrace in this world and the Hereafter.
Associating Partners with Allah (Shirk) or Disbelief:
“ Surely those who disbelieve and die as disbelievers are condemned by Allah, the angels, and all of humanity. They will be in Hell forever. Their punishment will not be lightened, nor will they be delayed from it.” [Quran, 2:161-162]
Killing a Believer Intentionally:
“And whoever kills a believer intentionally, his recompense is Hell to abide therein, and the wrath and the curse of Allah are upon him, and a great punishment is prepared for him.” [Quran 4:93]
Disobeying or Rejecting the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace):
“How will Allah guide a people who chose to disbelieve after they had believed, acknowledged the Messenger to be true, and received clear proofs? For Allah does not guide the wrongdoing people. Their reward is that they will be condemned by Allah, the angels, and all of humanity. They will be in Hell forever. Their punishment will not be lightened, nor will they be delayed ˹from it˺. [Quran, 3:86-88]
Allah’s Anger (Ghadab)
Allah’s “anger” refers to His wrath directed towards those who defy His commands and commit severe sins. The consequence is both spiritual and physical afflictions.
Denial of Faith:
“As for those who dispute about Allah after He is ˹already˺ acknowledged ˹by many˺, their argument is futile in the sight of their Lord. Upon them is wrath, and they will suffer a severe punishment.” [Quran, 42:16]
Taking False Gods or Idols:
“Those who worshipped the calf will certainly be afflicted with wrath from their Lord as well as disgrace in the life of this world. This is how We reward those who invent falsehood.” [Quran, 7:152]
Disapproval Without Curse or Anger
Islam also recognises lesser sins which incur divine disapproval without necessarily resulting in curses or anger. These are often sins of neglect or minor disobedience that do not equate to major transgressions.
Minor Sins (Sagha’ir):
Minor sins are those which do not carry the severe threats of Hellfire, curse, or divine wrath but are rather advised against through recommendations of repentance and correction.
Scholarly Views and Differentiation
According to traditional Islamic scholarship, including the views from the Shafi’i School, sins that incur Allah’s curse or wrath are major sins (kaba’ir), and these are distinct from minor sins.
Imam Shafi‘i and other scholars have noted that repentance is crucial and can wipe out the consequences of any sin, thereby reinstating Allah’s mercy.
It’s important to distinguish between major and minor sins and divine disapproval that does not reach the level of curse or anger.
Allah’s mercy is vast, and repentance plays a central role in reconciling with Allah, even after committing major sins, provided it is sincere and meets the conditions of repentance.
These distinctions and definitions derive from scholars’ collective interpretation of the Quran and Hadith across generations.
They are foundational in understanding the gravity of actions and their spiritual consequences in Islamic theology. [Dhahabi, Kitab al-Kaba’ir]
I pray this is of benefit and that Allah guides us all.
[Shaykh] Irshaad Sedick
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
Shaykh Irshaad Sedick was raised in South Africa in a traditional Muslim family. He graduated from Dar al-Ulum al-Arabiyyah al-Islamiyyah in Strand, Western Cape, under the guidance of the late world-renowned scholar Shaykh Taha Karaan (Allah have mercy on him), where he taught.
Shaykh Irshaad received Ijaza from many luminaries of the Islamic world, including Shaykh Taha Karaan, Shaykh Muhammad Awama, Shaykh Muhammad Hasan Hitu, and Mawlana Abdul Hafeez Makki, among others.
He is the author of the text “The Musnad of Ahmad ibn Hanbal: A Hujjah or not?” He has been the Director of the Discover Islam Centre, and for six years, he has been the Khatib of Masjid Ar-Rashideen, Mowbray, Cape Town.
Shaykh Irshaad has fifteen years of teaching experience at some of the leading Islamic institutes in Cape Town). He is currently building an Islamic podcast, education, and media platform called ‘Isnad Academy’ and has completed his Master’s degree in the study of Islam at the University of Johannesburg. He has a keen interest in healthy Prophetic living and fitness.
