The month of Ramadan is one of the blessed months with which Allah has honored His servants. It is a season of obedience and closeness to Him, where the doors of mercy are opened and good deeds are multiplied. In this article, Shaikh Saleh Academy answer this question: are sins multiplied in ramadan?
But in terms of sin and punishment, committing sins in Ramadan is more severe, because disobedience in a virtuous time reflects disrespect towards Allah and deprives the servant of the blessings of the month.
BOOK FREE SESSION
Are Sins Multiplied in Ramadan?
Good deeds and sins are multiplied in virtuous times and places, such as the month of Ramadan. However, there is a difference between the multiplication of a good deed and a sin. A good deed is multiplied in quantity and quality, being ten times its like or more, and its reward is magnified.
As for a sin, it is multiplied in quality only, meaning that its sin is greater and the punishment for it is more severe, but it remains one sin. Sins are not multiplied in terms of number, because Allah SWT rewards a sin with its like.
This is based on the saying of Allah SWT:
مَنْ جَاءَ بِالْحَسَنَةِ فَلَهُ عَشْرُ أَمْثَالِهَا وَمَنْ جَاءَ بِالسَّيِّئَةِ فَلا يُجْزَى إِلا مِثْلَهَا وَهُمْ لا يُظْلَمُونَ
“Man jaa’a bilhasanati falahu ‘ashru amthaliha waman jaa’a bissayyi’ati fala yujza illa mithlaha wahum la yuthlamoon.”
“Whoever comes [at Judgement] with a good deed will have ten times the like thereof [to his credit], and whoever comes with an evil deed will not be recompensed except the like thereof; and they will not be wronged.”
A matter worth exploring for you: Are good deeds multiplied in Ramadan
Do Sins Committed at Night in Ramadan Affect the Reward of Fasting?
Sins in Ramadan, whether at night or during the day, are multiplied in terms of sin. Fasting during the day and then committing sins at night is considered a disregard for religion, and it negatively affects the reward of fasting. Therefore, a Muslim must avoid sins at all times, especially in the month of Ramadan, and strive to achieve taqwa and perform good deeds.
An area that could draw your interest: How many times a day do Muslims pray during Ramadan
BOOK FREE SESSION
How to Avoid Sins and Wrongdoings in Ramadan?
Avoiding sins and wrongdoings requires a sincere intention and following practical steps to enhance taqwa and commitment. Some of the tips that may help you achieve this are:
- Magnify the sin in your heart and consider it a great sin, even if it is small; this makes you stay away from it. Prayer helps in purifying the soul and brings you closer to Allah; try to commit to prayer on time and perform Sunnah prayers.
- Seeking Istighfar has a great effect in purifying the heart and gives you strength to face sins. When you commit a sin, repent to Allah sincerely and ask for His forgiveness, and Allah accepts repentance from His servants.
- Avoid places and situations that may lead you to commit sins, and be careful to cut off all paths that remind you of the sin. Du’a is a powerful way to communicate with Allah and ask for His help in staying away from sins.
- Sit with people who encourage you to do good and stay away from sins, because righteous companionship contributes to strengthening your faith. Fill your time with charitable deeds, reading, and learning something new, as free time can lead you to sins.
- Do not despair of Allah’s mercy, no matter how great the sin, for Allah is able to forgive all sins. Be certain that Allah accepts your repentance and forgives your sins if you repent sincerely.
A subject that may captivate your attention: Madinah Quran Academy
Is Abstaining from Sins Limited Only to Ramadan?
Abstaining from sins is not limited only to the month of Ramadan, but it is a duty upon the Muslim at all times. However, the month of Ramadan is a special opportunity to enhance piety and stay away from sins, thanks to the spiritual and faithful atmosphere that distinguishes it.
BOOK FREE SESSION
The Difference Between a Sin and a Good Deed in Ramadan?
In Ramadan, a good deed differs from a sin in terms of impact, reward, and punishment. But what distinguishes the month of Ramadan is that good deeds are multiplied and sins have a greater impact because of the sanctity of the month.
Good Deed (Hasanah)
It is every good deed that a person performs, such as prayer, fasting, reading the Quran, charity, kindness to others, and other good deeds. In Ramadan, good deeds are multiplied in particular. Worship in this month leads to forgiveness of sins and raising of ranks, as the Messenger of Allah, PBUH, said:
“من صام رمضان إيمانًا واحتسابًا غفر له ما تقدم من ذنبه” (متفق عليه).
“Whoever fasts Ramadan out of faith and seeking reward, his past sins will be forgiven for him.” (Agreed upon [Bukhari and Muslim]).
Sin (Sayyi’ah)
It is every action that violates the commands of Allah SWT, such as lying, backbiting, injustice, neglecting to perform acts of worship, and other forbidden actions. In Ramadan, committing sins is more impactful because this month is a month of obedience and drawing closer to Allah. Whoever disobeys Allah in it misses a great opportunity for forgiveness of sins and mercy. Although sins are not multiplied in terms of number, their impact is greater. Some scholars have said that a sin in a virtuous time or place is greater in sin because it indicates disrespect towards Allah.
An issue that could fascinate you: what breaks your fast in the month of Ramadan
Is the Reward for Good Deeds Multiplied in Ramadan?
Yes, the reward for good deeds is greatly multiplied in the month of Ramadan. This is due to the sanctity of this month and its virtue with Allah. According to the noble Prophetic hadiths, the reward for good deeds in Ramadan can reach seven hundred times or more.
Narrated Abu Hurairah, may Allah be pleased with him, said: The Messenger of Allah, PBUH, said:
“كل عمل ابن آدم يضاعف، الحسنة بعشر أمثالها إلى سبعمائة ضعف، قال الله عز وجل: إلا الصوم، فإنه لي وأنا أجزي به”
“Every deed of the son of Adam is multiplied, a good deed by ten times its like, up to seven hundred times. Allah, the Mighty and Sublime, said: ‘Except for fasting, for it is for Me, and I will reward it.'” (Narrated by Muslim).
Scholars explain this hadith to mean that the reward for fasting can be multiplied indefinitely, exceeding even seven hundred times. This is because fasting includes multiple types of patience, such as patience in obedience, patience in avoiding sin, and patience with Allah’s painful decrees.
BOOK FREE SESSION
Multiplication of the Magnitude of Sins, Not Their Quantity, in Certain Cases
In some cases, the magnitude of sins is multiplied, not their number. Meaning, the effect of the sin and its punishment are more severe, but it is not recorded as multiplied in terms of number, as is the case with good deeds. This occurs in blessed times such as Ramadan, and in holy places.
Therefore, a Muslim should be more careful to avoid sins at such times and take advantage of the opportunity to increase his good deeds instead of falling into what may multiply his burdens.
A topic you might find engaging: does vaping break your fast in Islam
Are Sins and Good Deeds Multiplied in Rajab and the Sacred Months?
The sacred months are four months: Dhul-Qa’dah, Dhul-Hijjah, Muharram, and Rajab. During these months, deeds, whether good or bad, are magnified. This is based on the magnification of virtuous times and places.
Good deeds are multiplied in these months, meaning that the reward for good deeds is greater than it is in other months. Allah SWT says in the Holy Quran:
﴿إِنَّ عِدَّةَ الشُّهُورِ عِندَ اللَّهِ اثْنَا عَشَرَ شَهْرًا فِي كِتَابِ اللَّهِ يَوْمَ خَلَقَ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضَ مِنْهَا أَرْبَعَةٌ حُرُمٌ ذَٰلِكَ الدِّينُ الْقَيِّمُ فَلَا تَظْلِمُوا فِيهِنَّ أَنفُسَكُمْ﴾
“Inna ‘iddata ash-shuhoori ‘inda Allahi ithna ‘ashara shahran fee kitabillahi yawma khalaqa as-samawati wal-arda minha arba’atun hurumun thalika ad-deenu alqayyimu fala tathlimoo feehinna anfusakum.”
“Indeed, the number of months with Allah is twelve [lunar] months in the register of Allah [from] the day He created the heavens and the earth; of these, four are sacred. That is the correct religion, so do not wrong yourselves during them.”
As for sins, their sin is magnified in these sacred months because of the sanctity of the time. Although the number of sins is not multiplied, their impact and sin are greater in these months.
The month of Ramadan is a great opportunity to multiply good deeds and draw closer to Allah SWT. A Muslim must be more careful to avoid sins in it, because sins in this month are more sinful and greater in crime because of the sanctity of the month of Ramadan. Just as Ramadan is a season of obedience, it is also a test of patience and piety, and whoever is deprived of its goodness has lost an irreplaceable opportunity. Therefore, a Muslim should take advantage of its days and nights in obedience and seeking forgiveness.
