The Concepts of Sin and Its Solution in Islam

The Concepts of Sin and Its Solution in Islam

The subject matter of study is sin and its solution in Islam with a brief comparison with Biblical concepts. Enquiries about sin and its remedy have appeared among humans since the dawn of creation. Religious terms such as sin, salvation, atonement and forgiveness are used to describe Man"s spiritual state in relationship to a divine being. However, the universality of these questions should not blind us to the fact that they have been formulated differently by diverse cultures and religions. Commonly, in any religious context, the Deities decree codes and laws to preserve cosmic order, the harmony of human society and the relationship to the divine being(s). They also describe means to take away the consequences of breaking these divine codes. A remedy for sin is always presented to maintain proper relationships. Religions may differ in defining moral codes and laws governing behaviour. Islam is not an exception. Moral laws and codes of conduct are central to its message. It views sin and also sets norms providing forgiveness. The study points to particular terminology used in the texts designating sin and its remedy. Consequently, it defines the human and divine roles concerning the query of remedy for sin. The doctrinal analysis of sin and its related issues in Islam foretold some implications. The study dealt with three main ones: seeking spirituality, seeking solutions for here-and-now troubles, and the search for a satisfactory interpretation of the dualistic nature of Man. I will conclude with a brief comparison of biblical concepts. Doing a comprehensive comparison is beyond the limitations of this paper. I will limit the comparison to biblical notions in the Torah since it sets the foundations for biblical theology. This effort might provide a lens for further study of the larger question of the subject.

The subject matter of study is sin and its solution in Islam with a brief comparison with Biblical concepts. Enquiries about sin and its remedy have appeared among humans since the dawn of creation. Religious terms such as sin, salvation, atonement and forgiveness are used to describe Man"s spiritual state in relationship to a divine being. However, the universality of these questions should not blind us to the fact that they have been formulated differently by diverse cultures and religions. Commonly, in any religious context, the Deities decree codes and laws to preserve cosmic order, the harmony of human society and the relationship to the divine being(s). They also describe means to take away the consequences of breaking these divine codes. A remedy for sin is always presented to maintain proper relationships. Religions may differ in defining moral codes and laws governing behaviour. Islam is not an exception. Moral laws and codes of conduct are central to its message. It views sin and also sets norms providing forgiveness. The study points to particular terminology used in the texts designating sin and its remedy. Consequently, it defines the human and divine roles concerning the query of remedy for sin. The doctrinal analysis of sin and its related issues in Islam foretold some implications. The study dealt with three main ones: seeking spirituality, seeking solutions for here-and-now troubles, and the search for a satisfactory interpretation of the dualistic nature of Man. I will conclude with a brief comparison of biblical concepts. Doing a comprehensive comparison is beyond the limitations of this paper. I will limit the comparison to biblical notions in the Torah since it sets the foundations for biblical theology. This effort might provide a lens for further study of the larger question of the subject.