Considering the sins as Major or Minor:
According to the ahadeeth, sins are broadly classified as Major (kabeera) or Minor (sagheera) sins. Their numbers vary according to various accounts and narrations.
Generally, it is held that any sin for which a punishment in the dunya or aakhirat has been defined in the Quran or hadith is a major sin.
However this differentiation is not always present.
The scholars say that any minor sin that is committed habitually is counted as a major sin.
Given below are some interesting insights of the salaf on this issue:
Qadhi ‘Iyad رحمه الله said:
“According to how small you consider the sin, that much big will it be in the sight of Allah, and according to how great you consider the sin that much smaller will it be in the sight of Allah.” [As-Siyar, 8/428]
Imam Al- Awza’i رحمه الله said:
“Once I heard Bilal Ibn Sa’d saying, ‘Do not look at how small the sin is but instead look at how great is the One that you have disobeyed.’ “ [Al-Hilya, 5/223]
Abu Hazim Salamah Ibn Dinar said:
“Look at every act that you would hate to die while committing, and then abandon it.” [Al-Musannaf, 7/194]
Ibn ‘Abbas رضي الله ﺗﻌﺎﻟﯽٰ عنه said:
“There cannot be a major sin along with seeking Allah's forgiveness, nor a minor sin while being persistent upon it.”
[Ash-Shu’ab, 5/7268]
Imam Al- Awza’i رحمه الله said:
“From the major sins is for a man to do a sin and then look down upon it (considering it as minor or inconsequential)."
[Ash-Shu’ab, p.6752]
