17:56Episode 1Abu Usamah – The Major Sins Series: 01 – Introduction
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31:18Episode 2Abu Usamah – The Major Sins Series: 02 – ShirkIn this lecture, Abu Usamah covers the first chapter of Al-Imam Al-Dhahabi's *Al-Kabair* (The Major Sins), focusing on shirk (associating partners with Allah) as the gravest of all sins. Drawing on Quranic verses, prophetic hadith, and the concept of dhulm (wrongdoing), he explains why shirk is unforgivable, how it manifests in everyday life, and why correct aqeedah must be the foundation before any other aspect of Islam is addressed. He also discusses a powerful hadith about the future fading of Islam, and the critical importance of tawheed in protecting oneself from eternal punishment.
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55:24Episode 3Abu Usamah – The Major Sins Series: 03 – KillingIn this lecture, Abu Usamah at-Thahabi presents the third installment of the Major Sins Series, covering al-qatl — the unlawful taking of a life — which scholars identify as the second greatest sin after shirk. Drawing on Quranic ayat and authenticated ahadith, he explores the sacredness of life as an amanah from Allah, the grave consequences of murder, the issue of abortion, the killing of non-Muslims under covenant, and the important question of whether a murderer can make tawbah. The lecture concludes with a powerful reminder that Allah's mercy encompasses all sins for those who sincerely repent.
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56:57Episode 4Abu Usamah – The Major Sins Series: 04 – Magic/SorceryIn this fourth installment of the Major Sins Series, Abu Usamah At-Thahabi covers the grave sin of magic (Al-Sihr) as detailed by Al-Imam Al-Dhahabi in *Kitab Al-Kaba'ir*, drawing on Quranic evidence, authentic hadith, and the actions of the Companions to establish that sorcery constitutes kufr. The lecture also addresses the two extremes of practicing magic versus outright denying its existence, presents Ibn Al-Qayyim's four categories of people who reject Islamic texts, and closes with a powerful discussion on the importance of establishing proof before pronouncing takfir on ignorant Muslims. Practical guidance on protecting oneself from magic, the evil eye, and superstitious remedies is also covered in the Q&A.
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51:27Episode 5Abu Usamah – The Major Sins Series: 05 – Missing Salah/PrayerIn this lecture, Sheikh Abu Usamah addresses the fourth major sin (*kabira*) from Imam Al-Dhahabi's *Kitab Al-Kabair*: leaving off the *Salat* (prayer). He examines the scholarly disagreement over whether the one who abandons the prayer out of laziness is a disbeliever (*kafir*) or simply a sinner, presenting the Quranic and Hadith evidences cited by Imam Al-Dhahabi alongside the positions of the Companions, the four *madhabs*, and major scholars including Ibn Hazm, Ibn Al-Qayyim, Ibn Baz, and Ibn Uthaymeen. The lecture serves as a powerful reminder of the central, irreplaceable status of the *Salat* in Islam and a call to the Muslim community to take the prayer with the seriousness it deserves.
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1:00:13Episode 6Abu Usamah – The Major Sins Series: 06 – Not Paying ZakatIn this lecture, Sheikh Abu Usamah covers the fifth major sin (kabira) in Al-Imam Al-Dhahabi's classical work: the withholding of Zakat. Drawing on Qur'anic verses, authentic ahadith, and the historical action of Abu Bakr Al-Siddiq in fighting those who refused to pay Zakat, the Sheikh demonstrates why neglecting this pillar of Islam is a grievous sin with severe consequences in the Hereafter. The lecture also explores the linguistic meaning of Zakat, the fitna of wealth in this ummah, and includes a practical Q&A covering topics such as who pays Zakat, how much is owed, and the eight categories of recipients.
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1:00:55Episode 7Abu Usamah – The Major Sins Series: 07 – Disobeying Parents
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50:34Episode 8Abu Usamah – The Major Sins Series: 08 – Riba/Interest/UsuryIn this lecture, Sheikh Abu Usamah delivers the eighth installment of his Major Sins series, focusing on riba (usury/interest) as discussed by Imam al-Dhahabi. Drawing on Quranic ayat and authentic ahadith, he explains why riba is among the gravest sins in Islam — one that incurs the direct war of Allah and His Messenger — and provides practical guidance on navigating riba-based financial systems (banking, insurance, credit cards, and student loans) for Muslims living in the West. The lecture also addresses related principles such as establishing the hujjah before judging others, the reality of jinn possession, and the often-overlooked "highest form of riba": speaking unjustly about the honor of a fellow Muslim.
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30:50Episode 9Abu Usamah – The Major Sins Series: 09 – Devouring the Wealth of OrphansIn this lecture, Sheikh Abu Usamah continues his Major Sins Series by exploring the grave sin of devouring the wealth of orphans, drawing on Quranic verses and authentic hadith to establish its severity. He covers the definition of the yateem, their exalted status in Islam, and the detailed fiqh rules governing guardianship of orphan wealth — including the important principle of 'urf (custom) as explained by Imam al-Dhahabi. The lecture also addresses the responsibility of fathers, mothers, and the broader Muslim community toward orphans, widows, and vulnerable members of society.
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27:56Episode 10Abu Usamah – The Major Sins Series: 10 – Lying on the Prophet (s)In this lecture, Sheikh Abu Usamah covers the major sin of lying upon the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, drawing on Al-Imam Al-Dhahabi's *Kitab Al-Kaba'ir*. He explains the scholarly ruling that intentional fabrication of hadith is a grave sin — and in some cases constitutes clear disbelief — and refutes the common justification of fabricating hadith for "good causes." The lecture also addresses the importance of distinguishing authentic from weak and fabricated ahadith, with practical examples and a Q&A covering related topics such as adoption in Islam and the limited exceptions to the prohibition on lying.
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23:57Episode 11Abu Usamah – The Major Sins Series: 11 – Not Fasting in RamadanIn this lecture, Sheikh Abu Usamah covers the tenth major sin according to Imam al-Dhahabi's *Kitab al-Kaba'ir*: intentionally breaking the fast of Ramadan without a valid religious excuse. He examines the evidences used by Imam al-Dhahabi, explains the concept of *Qiyas al-Awla*, and discusses the serious spiritual consequences of neglecting this pillar of Islam. The lecture concludes with a detailed breakdown of the *kafara* — the required expiation — for the one who breaks the fast of Ramadan, drawn from the famous hadith of the man who came to the Prophet ﷺ having had relations with his wife during the day in Ramadan.
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25:40Episode 12Abu Usamah – The Major Sins Series: 12 – Fleeing from BattleIn this lecture, Abu Usamah discusses the twelfth major sin in Al-Imam Al-Dhahabi's *Kitab Al-Kabair*: fleeing from the battlefield. He presents the Quranic and prophetic evidence for this prohibition, outlines the legitimate exceptions, and uses the topic as a springboard for a broader discussion on the obligation and virtues of jihad, the elevated status of the martyr, and the urgent need for Muslims to physically and mentally prepare themselves. He firmly rejects both the extremist distortion of jihad and the apologetic denial of it, calling for a balanced, scholarly understanding rooted in the Quran and Sunnah.
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46:00Episode 13Abu Usamah – The Major Sins Series: 13 – Adultery/FornicationIn this lecture, Abu Usamah At-Thahabi covers the thirteenth major sin (*kabira*) in his ongoing series: adultery and fornication (*zina*). He explains the many levels and types of *zina* — from Mut'ah marriage, invalid divorces, and forbidden marriage contracts, to homosexuality, bestiality, and zina with relatives — drawing on four Quranic ayat and several ahadith as presented by Imam Al-Dhahabi. The lecture also clarifies the misunderstood ayah about a *zani* only marrying a *zaniyah*, explains the Ahlus Sunnah position on the relationship between *iman* and major sins, and emphasizes the role of *tawbah* and preventative measures in protecting oneself and one's family from *zina*.
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1:15:43Episode 14Abu Usamah – The Major Sins Series: 14 – Adultery/Fornication (part 2)In this lecture, Sheikh Abu Usamah concludes his detailed series on az-zina (adultery/fornication) by examining additional contemporary examples of invalid marriages that constitute zina, including civil-only marriages, false claims of right-hand possession, and impermissible interfaith unions. He then walks through key ahadith on the topic, including the three people Allah will not speak to on the Day of Resurrection, the sanctity of the mujahid's family, and the worst forms of zina involving one's mahram. The lecture concludes with an extensive Q&A covering marriage law, divorce procedure, birth control, masturbation, the permissibility of women attending the masjid during menses, and more.
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1:00:25Episode 15Abu Usamah – The Major Sins Series: 15 – Oppressive RulerIn this lecture from his Major Sins series, Abu Usamah covers Kabirah number 13 from Imam al-Dhahabi's *Kitab al-Kaba'ir*: the grave sin of being an oppressive or deceitful leader. Drawing on Quranic verses, authentic hadith, and classical scholarship, he explores the immense responsibility placed on anyone in a position of authority — from heads of state to imams, teachers, and husbands — and the severe consequences in this life and the next for those who betray that trust. The lecture also addresses the rewards of just leadership, the prohibition of rebellion against rulers, the danger of religious extremism, and the importance of balance and fairness in all Islamic affairs.
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39:39Episode 16Abu Usamah – The Major Sins Series: 16 – Drinking AlcoholIn this lecture, Sheikh Abu Usamah covers the 14th major sin according to Al-Imam Al-Dhahabi: the consumption of alcohol and all intoxicants. Drawing on Quranic verses, authentic hadith, and classical scholarship, he explains why even small amounts of khamr are forbidden, who falls under the curse associated with it, and what punishments are prescribed in Islam. The lecture concludes with a powerful and practical warning to Muslim parents in Birmingham about the widespread reality of drug and alcohol use among Muslim youth, offering concrete signs to look for and a call to engaged, responsible parenting and community leadership.
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47:50Episode 17Abu Usamah – The Major Sins Series: 17 – Pride/BoastingIn this lecture, Sheikh Abu Usamah delivers the 17th installment of his Major Sins series, focusing on the grave sin of pride and arrogance (al-kibr). Drawing on Quranic verses, authentic hadith, and the scholarship of Al-Imam Al-Dhahabi, he explains that arrogance — defined by the Prophet ﷺ as "rejecting the truth and looking down upon people" — is far more widespread than most people realize, and covers everything from rejecting Islamic rulings to showing off wealth and looking down on others through one's knowledge. The lecture emphasizes that true knowledge produces humility, and that the antidote to kibr is embracing the Quran and Sunnah with sincerity and submitting to the truth wherever it is found.
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