Persisting in a major sin

Question

A certain person has committed a major sin several times, or regards the major sin as major; no disdain (istikhfaf) or approval (istihbab) of the major sin is found in him; each time after committing it he repents and seeks forgiveness, but, overcome by carnal desires, he commits that major sin again and again. Will he be called “one persisting in a major sin” (musirr ‘ala al-kabira), and will his nikah be broken by this? And whom does the Sacred Law call “one persisting in a major sin”?

Answer

(1) As long as a sin is not committed while deeming it lawful or with the intention of belittling the religion, faith is not taken away by it according to the Sacred Law. Therefore, in the case asked about, the man mentioned is a believer, and his nikah has not been broken either.

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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