Words in Quran That Refer to Sin
Each of these words highlight part of the ominous consequences of sins.
The words used in the Quran to refer to sin are these: 1- Dhanb, 2- Ma’siyah, 3- Ithm, 4- Sayyi’ah, 5, Jurm, 6-Haram, 7- Khati’ah, 8- Fisq, 9-Fisad, 10-Fujur, 11-Munkar, 12- Fahisha, 13- Khibth, 14-Shar, 15-Lamam, 16- Wizr and Thiql, 17-Hinth
Here are some explanations about ten of these words:
1- Dhanb literally means to grab a tail (dhanab in Arabic) of something. It refers to sins because every wrongdoing has a consequence as punishment in this world or the next. This word comes 35 times in the Quran.
2- Ma’siyah means rebellion and disobeying God and shows that one has trespassed the boundaries of servitude to God. It is used 33 times in the Quran.
3- Ithm means indolence and laziness and as a result being deprived of rewards because in fact, one who commits sin is in loss. This word is used 48 times in the Quran.
4- Sayyi’ah means an ugly and obscene act that causes sadness and catastrophe. It is the opposite of Hasanah, which means goodness and happiness. It is used in the Quran 44 times.
The word Su’u, which is from the same root, comes 44 times in the Holy Book.
5-Jurm literally means separation of a fruit from the tree. It also means inferior and lowly. Jurm is an act that separates one from the truth, happiness and perfection. The word is used 61 times in the Quran.
6-Haram means forbidden. A Haram month is a month in which fighting is forbidden. And Masjid al-Haram (the Prophet’s Mosque) is a mosque entering which is forbidden for unbelievers. The word is used in the Quran 75 times.
7- Khati’ah mostly refers to a sin committed unintentionally. But sometimes it also refers to a major sin, including in Verse 81 of Surah Al-Baqarah and Verse 37 of Surah Al-Haqqa. Khati’ah actually refers to a state caused by sin in which one is separated from the path of salvation and the light of guidance is blocked from his heart. This word is used 22 times in the Quran.
8- Fisq literally means ‘to separate’ (like Arabs say: the date got separated from its outer coil). It refers to the sinner getting out of the boundaries of servitude and obedience to God. The word is used 53 times in the Quran.
9- Fisad means trespassing the boundaries of moderation which results in destruction and wasting one’s aptitudes. The word is used 50 times in the Quran.
10- Fujur means breaking the limits of Haya and religion that leads to disgrace. It is used 6 times in the Quran.
