According to the Holy Quran, which sin is declared as “Zulm-e-Azeem” (a great injustice)?

In the Holy Quran, “Zulm-e-Azeem” (great injustice) is specifically used to describe the sin of Shirk, which is the act of associating partners with Allah. Shirk is considered the gravest offense in Islam because it directly violates the core principle of Tawheed, the oneness of Allah. Unlike other sins that can be forgiven through repentance, shirk, if persisted until death without repentance, is unforgivable as it negates the very foundation of faith.

Shirk encompasses various forms, such as worshipping other deities, believing in multiple gods, or attributing divine qualities to humans or objects. The Quran repeatedly emphasizes the severity of shirk. For instance, in Surah An-Nisa (4:48), Allah says: “Indeed, Allah does not forgive association with Him, but He forgives what is less than that for whom He wills.” Because it represents a fundamental injustice—claiming partners for Allah, who alone is worthy of worship—it is labeled “Zulm-e-Azeem.”

The gravity of shirk also lies in its spiritual consequences. It misguides the soul, corrupts moral accountability, and distorts the believer’s relationship with Allah. Every act of devotion, worship, or prayer loses its validity if it is tainted by shirk. The Quran uses this term to warn humanity about the ultimate injustice one can commit, urging believers to uphold pure monotheism in thought, word, and action.