Yes, zina is a major sin in Islam. According to the Quran, Zina, alcohol, and gambling, are major sins. Zina is the most serious sin in Islam compared to other sins. I am explaining more about why Zina is a big sin reasons and references for Is zina a major sin.

Three Reasons for Zina is Major Sin

1. Zina is against Allah Command.
2. Zina is against personal dignity and honor
3. Zina has a very negative social impact on family relatives and society.

Reference from the Quran and Hadith

Quran: These are two main references from the Quran about the Zina. First, Al-Isra 17:32 and, second Al-Furqan 25:68.

Hadith: No adulterer is a believer at the time when he is committing adultery, no thief is a believer at the time when he is stealing, no drinker of alchol is a believer at the time when he is drinking. (Narrated by Al-Bukhari and Muslim).

Islamic Legal Consequences

In Islamic law, the punishment for Zina is the most severe compared to other sins. Islamic law, defines two different punishments for a single person are different and for a married person are different. The punishment for a married person who is committing Zina should be stoned to death, while for an unmarried person, it is 100 lashes and exile for one year.

In Islam, based on teachings from the Quran and hadith having a girlfriend or boyfriend is considered haram, or forbidden. This encourages marriage importance and avoiding illicit relationships. Here is an in-depth look at the Islamic perspective on having a boyfriend or girlfriend is haram.

The Qurans Prohibition

The Quran explicitly prohibits relationships outside of marriage. Allah says in Surah An-Nisa (4:25):

If any of you does not have the means to marry a believing free woman, then marry a believing slave- God knows best [the depth of] your faith: you are [all] part of the same family- so marry them with their people’s consent and their proper bride-gifts. [Make them] married women, not adulteresses or lovers. If they commit adultery when they are married, their punishment will be half that of free women. This is for those of you who fear that you will sin it is better for you to practise selfrestraint. God is most forgiving and merciful.

This verse indicates that Muslims should seek marriage to fulfill their emotional and physical needs, ensuring that they maintain chastity and avoid premarital relationships.

Interpretation by Scholars

Prominent Islamic scholar Ibn Kathir explains this verse by stating that Muslims should be pure and chaste, refraining from illicit sexual conduct and relationships. This interpretation is supported by other scholars like Ibn Abbas and Al-Hasan al-Basri, who further clarify that any form of a boyfriend-girlfriend relationship is haram.

The Sunnah Stance

The Hadith also supports this view. One notable story involves Marthad ibn Abi Marthad, who asked the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) about marrying a former lover. The Prophet remained silent until the verse from Surah An-Nur (24:3) was revealed, emphasizing that those guilty of fornication should not marry except others guilty of the same sin or unbelievers. The Prophet then advised Marthad against the marriage, highlighting the prohibition of such relationships.

Consequences of Haram Relationships

Engaging in a boyfriend-girlfriend relationship is seen to have negative consequences both spiritually and socially. These relationships can lead to emotional distress, loss of respect, and distance from Allah guidance. Islamic teachings advocate for marriage as a means to protect people and society from these harms.

Summary

In conclusion, Islam strictly haram having a girlfriend or boyfriend relationship. The teachings of the Quran and Hadith focus on marriage to fulfill emotional and physical needs. Muslims are advised to seek lawful and respectful relationships within the bounds of marriage to maintain their Islamic faith and well being.

Generally, lotteries are considered haram in Islam for several reasons. These are the main reasons.

Uncertainty:

Lotteries have a high level of uncertainty and risk. In the Islamic finance system, transactions should be free from uncertainty. For that uncertainty, a term used in Islam is called Gharar. Gharar refers to any uncertainty in the basic element of a contract. Since participants in a lottery are gambling on an uncertain outcome, this falls under the prohibition of Gharar.

Gambling:

A lottery is considered a form of gambling, which is haram in Islam. Gambling means as gaining money through the rule of chance. The amount was never used to produce anything. The Quran guides us to the prohibition of gambling.

O believers! Intoxicants, gambling, idols, and drawing lots for decisions are all evil of Satan’s handiwork. So shun them so you may be successful. (Quran 5:90)

Unjust Enrichment

In Islam earning money should come from work, business, products, and effort. Lotteries are based on nothing and have no product or effort. This is unacceptable in Islamic teachings.

Impact on Society

Lotteries can have negative social consequences, such as cause addiction to gambling, leading to financial loss for some people and their families. Islam wants the protection of wealth and discourages these kinds of practices that can lead to unnecessary loss.

Scholarly Consensus

Most Islamic scholars agree on the Haram of lotteries. Major Islamic researchers and scholars from different schools of thought including Hanafi, Maliki, Shafi, and Hanbali, generally concur that lotteries fall under the category of prohibited transactions due to Gharar, maisir, and unjust enrichment.

Exceptions and Differences of Opinion

While the majority view is that lotteries are haram, some contemporary scholars and jurists have explored whether certain forms of lottery, particularly those intended for charitable purposes, might be Halal if they do not involve significant personal risk and the proceeds are used for public welfare. However, this is a minority opinion and often comes with many stipulations to ensure it does not resemble traditional gambling.

In conclusion, based on the principles of Islamic finance and the consensus among scholars, lotteries are generally considered haram due to the elements of uncertainty, gambling, and unjust enrichment involved.

In Islam, there are specific guidelines for performing prayers while traveling to make it easier for travelers:

When to Prayer Short While Traveling?

Distance: You can shorten prayers only if the travel distance is approximately eight kilometers or more.

Duration of your Stay:

Less than Four Days: If you intend to stay in a place for four days or less, you can continue to shorten your prayers.

More than Four Days: If you plan to stay for more than four days, you must offer your prayers in full, as you take the ruling of a resident.

Uncertain Duration: If you do not know how long you will stay, you can continue to shorten your prayers regardless of the length of your stay.

How to Shorten Prayers?

Shortening Prayers (Qasr): During your journey, you can shorten the four Rakah prayers to two Rakah. Qasr prayer rule applies to Dhuhr, Asr, and Isha prayers.

Combining Prayers: You may also combine Dhuhr and Asr prayers and Maghrib and Isha prayers. This can be done either at the time of the earlier prayer or the later prayer, depending on what is more convenient for you.

Specifics on Combining Prayers

Ease: While combining prayers is allowed, it is recommended to do so only if it is difficult to perform each prayer at its appointed time.

Congregational Prayers: Prayer in congregation is still obligatory for travelers if they can join a congregation.

Practical Steps:

1. During Travel:

– Shorten Dhuhr, Asr, and Isha prayers to two Rakahs.
– Combine Dhuhr with Asr, and Maghrib with Isha, if needed.

2. Upon Arrival:

– Four Days or Less: Continue to shorten and combine prayers as needed.
– More Than Four Days: Offer full prayers and perform each prayer at its appointed time.

3. Congregational Prayers: Strive to pray in congregation at a mosque whenever possible, even while traveling.

Conclusion:

Travelers in Islam are allowing us several concessions to ease the performance of our religious duties. By shortening and combining prayers, wiping over socks, and having the option to postpone fasting, travelers can maintain their religious obligations without undue hardship.

According to Islamic teachings, the permissibility of wine vinegar depends on how it is produced:

Natural Conversion: If wine turns into vinegar by itself, without deliberate intervention, consuming it is considered halal vinegar. Natural vinegar is Halal based on a hadith where the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) praised vinegar as a good food.

Deliberate Conversion: If wine is intentionally turned into vinegar through human intervention just like adding substances like vinegar, onions, salt, etc, then scholars have differing opinions on its halal or haram. The majority, including the Shafi’i, Hanbali, and some Maliki scholars, consider it haram based on hadiths that discourage handling or benefiting from wine, even when converting it to vinegar.

Therefore, whether wine vinegar is halal largely depends on whether its transformation from wine to vinegar was natural or deliberate. If it occurred naturally without human intervention, it is halal. If the transformation was deliberate, many scholars consider it haram.