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السلام عليكم ورحمة الله وبركاته

Ibn al-Qayyim, in his powerful book ad-Daa' wad-Dawaa' (The Disease and the Cure), warns us about the devastating effects of sins. Just as physical diseases weaken the body, sins corrupt the heart and distance a person from Allah.

1. Sins Weaken the Heart and Mind

Ibn al-Qayyim explains that sins darken the heart, making it difficult to recognize truth from falsehood. They also weaken a person’s resolve, making it harder to resist temptation.

2. They Bring Hardship and Anxiety

A sinner may think they are enjoying life, but deep inside, sins bring worry and restlessness. True peace comes from obedience to Allah, not from chasing desires.

3. They Lead to Even Greater Sins

Sins have a chain effect—one sin opens the door to another. A person who allows small sins may soon find themselves trapped in major ones.

4. They Cause the Loss of Knowledge and Guidance

Ibn al-Qayyim states that knowledge is a light from Allah, and sins extinguish that light. Many scholars of the past warned that persistent sins lead to confusion and ignorance.

5. They Distance You from Allah’s Mercy

Sins create a barrier between the servant and Allah. The more a person sins, the further they drift from His mercy and blessings—unless they sincerely repent.

The Cure: Repentance and Good Deeds

Just as diseases have cures, the remedy for sins is turning back to Allah with sincere repentance, increasing good deeds, and seeking forgiveness. As Allah says:

"Indeed, good deeds erase bad deeds." (Quran 11:114)

Ibn al-Qayyim’s words are a powerful reminder for the one who contemplates—sins are not just “mistakes”; they are diseases of the soul. But with sincere effort and repentance, the heart can heal, and the path to Allah’s mercy remains open.

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Looking for more wisdom from Ibn al-Qayyim and other great scholars? Explore our collection of Arabic-Islamic books at M4KTABA!

في امان الله.