Sadūq (a.r.) has recorded in Oyūne Akhbār that Imam Zadeh Hazrat Abdul Azīm the son of Abdullah Hasani said, “I heard from Abu Ja’far the second, Imam Muhammad Taqi (a.s.) who heard from his respected father Imam Riďa (a.s.) who quotes Imam Musa al-Kadhim (a.s.) that he said,
“A person by the name of Umrū bin Abīd entered into the presence of Abu Abdillah Imam Ja’far as-Sadiq (a.s.). After taking his seat he recited the following verse of the Qur’an:
“And those who shun the great sins and indecencies…” (Surah ash-Shūrā 42:37)
Then he (Umrū bin Abīd) paused.
“Why have you become silent?” asked the Imam (a.s.),
“I would like to derive the Greater Sins from the Holy Qur’an.” he replied.
The Imam said,
“O Umrū, the Greatest of the Greater Sins is Shirk (to attribute partners) with Allah. The Almighty Allah says,
“Certainly whoever associates (others) with Allah, then Allah has forbidden to him the Garden (Paradise)…” (Surah al-Mā’ida 5:72)
2) After this, is “to despair from the Mercy of Allah (S.w.T.).” As the Almighty Allah (S.w.T.) says,
“Surely none despairs of Allah’s mercy except the unbelieving people…”(Surah Yūsuf 12:87)
3) Then, “not fearing the retribution of Allah (S.w.T.).” The High and the Mighty Allah (S.w.T.) remarks,
“But none feels secure from Allah’s plan except the people who shall perish.”(Surah al-Ar’āf 7:99)
4) One of the Greater Sins is to disobey ones parents because the Glorified Allah (S.w.T.) has said,
“And dutiful to his parents, and he was not insolent, disobedient.” (Surah Maryam 19:14).
Here the disobedience of the parents is considered a form of insolence or transgression.
5) To kill a believer is prohibited by Allah (S.w.T.). Because Allah (S.w.T.) has informed,
“And whoever kills a believer intentionally, his punishment is Hell; he shall abide in it, and Allah will send His Wrath on him and curse him and prepare for him a painful chastisement.” (Surah an-Nisā’ 4:93)
6) To slander a believing man or a woman of adultery (or sodomy) is a Greater sin as is proved by the statement of Allah (S.w.T.).
“Surely those who accuse chaste believing woman, unaware (of the evil), are cursed in this world and the hereafter, and they shall have a grievous chastisement.” (Surah an-Nūr 24:23)
7) The usurpation of an orphan’s property is a Greater sin, as is clear from the following verse:
“(As for) those who swallow the property of the orphans unjustly, surely they only swallow fire into their bellies and they shall enter burning fire.”(Surah an-Nisā’ 4:10)
8) It is a Greater sin to retreat from Jihad (Holy war) as the Divine verse says:
“And whoever shall turn his back to them on that day- unless he turn aside for the sake of fighting or withdraws to a company- then he, indeed becomes deserving of Allah’s wrath, and his abode is Hell; and an evil destination shall it be.” (Surah al-Anfāl 8:16)
9) One of the Greater Sins is to take “interest.” Allah (S.w.T.), the Almighty informs:
“One who swallows down usury cannot arise except as one whom Shaitan has prostrated by (his) touch does rise. This is because they say, trading is only like usury; and Allah has allowed trading and forbidden usury.” (Surah al-Baqarah 2:275).
{Explanation: Some people say that taking interest is same as any other business. But this verse clearly says that usury is different from trade. Secondly, usury is forbidden whereas trading is permitted.}
10) And magic is a Greater sin. Thus Allah (S.w.T.) says,
“and certainly they know that he who bought it (the magic) should have no share of good in the hereafter and evil was the price for which they sold their souls; had they but known this.” (Surah al-Baqarah 2:102)
11) Among the Greater Sins is Adultery (fornication). Allah (S.w.T.) says in the Holy Qur’an,
“And they who do not call upon another god with Allah and do not slay a soul which Allah has forbidden except in the requirements of justice, and (who) do not commit fornication. And he who does this shall find a requital of sin. The punishment shall be doubled to him on the Day of Resurrection, and he shall abide therein in abasement. (Surah al-Furqān 25:68-69)
12) One of the Greater Sins is taking a false oath. Allah (S.w.T.) says about it.
“(As for) those who take a small price for the covenant of Allah and their own oaths-Surely they shall have no portion in the hereafter, and Allah will not speak to them, nor will He look upon them on the day of resurrection nor will He purify them, and they shall have a painful chastisement.” (Surah Āli- ‘Imran 3:76)
13) Among the sins which are specifically graded as Greater is a sin of “betrayal of trust, or to act unfaithfully. Allah (S.w.T.) has informed thus:
“And it is not attributable that he should act unfaithfully; and he who acts unfaithfully shall bring that in respect of which he has acted unfaithfully on the day of resurrection; then shall every soul be paid back fully what it has earned, and they shall not be dealt unjustly. Is then he who follows the pleasure of Allah like him who has made himself deserving of displeasure from Allah, and his abode is Hell; and it is an evil destination.” (Surah Āli- ‘Imran 3:161-162)
14) Failure to pay the Zakat is a Greater sin. Allah (S.w.T.) says regarding it:
“and (as for) those who hoard up gold and silver and do not spend it in Allah’s ways, announce to them a painful chastisement. (Surah at-Tawba 9:34)
15) To bear a false witness is also a Greater sin. Allah (S.w.T.) says
“…and avoid false words.” (Surah Hajj 22:30)
16) Do not conceal evidence as it is a Greater sin. Allah (S.w.T.) says:
“…and do not conceal testimony and whoever conceals it, his heart is surely sinful; and Allah knows what you do.” (Surah al-Baqarah 2:283)
17) Drinking of wine is a Greater sin. As it is prohibited by Allah (S.w.T.) in the following verse of the Holy Qur’an:
“They ask you about intoxicants and games of chance. Say: In both of them there is great sin and means of profit for men, and their sin is greater than their profit.” (Surah al-Baqarah 2:219)
18) To wilfully avoid the prayers is a Greater sin.
19) The failure to perform any obligatory religious act is a Greater sin. The Holy Prophet (S) says:
“One who wilfully avoids the prayers is away from the protection of Allah and His Messenger.”
20) Breaking an oath is also a Greater sin. Allah (S.w.T.) has stated:
“Who break the covenant of Allah after its confirmation and cut as under what Allah has ordered to be joined, (that is mutual relationships) and make mischief in the land; these it is that are the losers.”(Surah al-Baqarah 2:27)
21) To break ties with the relatives is one of the Greater Sins. In the Qur’anic verse quoted below, Allah (S.w.T.) says,
“and cut asunder what Allah has ordained……”(Surah ar-Rā’d 13:25)
When Imam Ja’far as-Sadiq (a.s.) concluded his hadith the narrator, Umrū bin Abīd rose up and while going out stopped and said: “Certainly, one who does not follow the guidance of the Imams (a.s.) and gives his own opinion is doomed.” It means that those who refuse to follow the Imams (a.s.) are on the wrong path.