ٱلَّذِينَ يَجْتَنِبُونَ كَبَـٰٓئِرَ ٱلْإِثْمِ وَٱلْفَوَٰحِشَ إِلَّا ٱللَّمَمَ ۚ إِنَّ رَبَّكَ وَٰسِعُ ٱلْمَغْفِرَةِ ۚ هُوَ أَعْلَمُ بِكُمْ إِذْ أَنشَأَكُم مِّنَ ٱلْأَرْضِ وَإِذْ أَنتُمْ أَجِنَّةٌ فِى بُطُونِ أُمَّهَـٰتِكُمْ ۖ فَلَا تُزَكُّوٓا۟ أَنفُسَكُمْ ۖ هُوَ أَعْلَمُ بِمَنِ ٱتَّقَىٰٓ 32
Translations
Those who avoid the major sins and immoralities, only [committing] slight ones. Indeed, your Lord is vast in forgiveness. He was most knowing of you when He produced you from the earth and when you were fetuses in the wombs of your mothers. So do not claim yourselves to be pure; He is most knowing of who fears Him.
Transliteration
Alladhina yajtanibuna kabaa'ira al-ithmi wa-al-fawahisha illa al-lamma. Inna rabbaka wasi'u al-maghfira. Huwa a'lamu bikum idh ansaa'akum mina al-ardi wa-idh antum ajinnatan fi buyuni ummahhatikum. Fala tuzakkaw anfusakum. Huwa a'lamu biman ittaqa.
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes those who avoid major sins and indecencies except for minor slips, emphasizing that Allah's forgiveness is vast and encompasses all sins for those who avoid the grave transgressions. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, the phrase 'except the small faults' (illa al-lamma) acknowledges human weakness while encouraging striving against major sins; Allah knows the believers from creation and their true state of piety, so they should not praise themselves or claim spiritual perfection.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of Surah An-Najm, a Meccan chapter emphasizing monotheism and the reality of resurrection. The verse appears in a section addressing human behavior and accountability, encouraging believers to avoid major sins while maintaining humility about their spiritual status. The broader context of the surah emphasizes the certainty of the Day of Judgment and proper moral conduct.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'The major sins are: associating partners with Allah, disobeying parents, killing a soul, and giving false testimony' (Sahih Bukhari). Additionally, the Prophet stated: 'Guard yourself from the seven destructive sins,' which emphasizes avoiding major transgressions mentioned in this ayah (Sahih Muslim).
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers that while perfection is unattainable, sincere effort to avoid major sins combined with humility about one's spiritual state opens the door to Allah's boundless mercy. Modern readers should recognize that true piety lies not in self-aggrandizement but in constant vigilance against grave wrongs while maintaining hope in Allah's forgiveness for inevitable human shortcomings.