59 – The Consequences of Sin


content_of_character1

In this episode Shaykh Yahya Rhodus highlights the consequences of sin, and particularly of unlawful sexual relations (Zina), which is a severe sin. He narrates that Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “Unlawful sexual relations beget poverty.” Shaykh Yahya first reminds us that one of the names of Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) is al-Nathir, The Warner. His warnings carry great mercy for us, as they help protect us from that which distances us from God. There is another narration from the companion Ali ibn Abi Talib (may God be pleased with him), where he says that there are six consequences to unlawful sexual relations, three that pertain to this life and three that pertain to the hereafter. The three that pertain to this life are: (1) the removal of beauty, (2) poverty, and (3) diminishes one’s life. As for the three that pertain to the hereafter, they are: (1) the wrath of Allah, (2) a bad reckoning, and (3) potentially being eternally in the hellfire. One other narration tells us that the light of someone’s faith is removed by committing this sin. Shaykh Yahya also highlights other narrations that tell us about the personal and communal consequences of other sins, like breaching trust begets widespread killing. Shaykh Yahya explains that Islam came to preserve society and lineage, which unlawful sexual relations destroy. Finally, Shaykh Yahya advises of ways to protect oneself from falling into unlawful sexual relations.

The Content of Character is a remarkable collection of sayings of the Prophet Muhammad. Chosen by the scholar, Shaykh Al-Amin Ali Mazrui and translated by Shaykh Hamza Yusuf, this book was published to great critical acclaim.

Shaykh Al-Amin intended to show that progress among Muslims required not the abandonment of Islam but the recovery of the original spirit of Islamic enlightenment.

In this podcast series for SeekersHub, Shaykh Yahya Rhodus does a commentary on these concise and yet comprehensive sayings, with a special focus on character-building, morals, good manners and ethics.

Check out all of the SeekersGuidance podcasts by visiting https://seekersguidance.org/podcasts/