Why do humans commit sins?

From the perspective of the Holy Quran, the act of committing sins by humans is a complex and multifaceted phenomenon rooted in the very nature and structure of human existence, external temptations, and life circumstances. The Quran approaches this topic with profound wisdom and clarifies the main contributing factors. The first, and perhaps most crucial, factor is the presence of free will and choice in humans. Allah Almighty created humans with free will, granting them the power to choose between good and evil, guidance and misguidance. This free will is the cornerstone of human accountability and the basis of divine testing. Unlike angels, who are purely obedient, humans have the capacity for disobedience, and this ability to choose elevates the value of their obedience. This is explicitly stated in verses like Surah Ash-Shams, verse 8, which says: “Then He inspired it [with knowledge of] its wickedness and its righteousness.” This verse clearly indicates that humanity is created with a divine nature and the potential for both paths. The second significant factor is the temptations of Satan. The Quran identifies Satan as humanity's “open enemy.” From the time of Adam’s creation, Satan vowed to mislead humans. However, the key point is that Satan has no coercive power over human beings. He is merely an inviter and a whisperer, who beautifies evil and offers false promises, thereby luring humans towards sin. As stated in Surah An-Nisa, verse 119, from Satan's own words: “And I will mislead them, and I will arouse in them [false] desires, and I will command them so they will slit the ears of cattle, and I will command them so they will change the creation of Allah. And whoever takes Satan as an ally instead of Allah has certainly sustained a clear loss.” This verse vividly illustrates Satan's deceptive and seductive role, leading humans astray through vain desires and attempts to alter creation. The ultimate responsibility, however, lies with humans themselves, whether they succumb to Satan's deception or resist it. The third factor is the 'Nafs al-Ammarah,' or the commanding self that inclines towards evil. This internal factor encompasses humanity's natural inclinations towards pleasure, power, wealth, and fame. If left unchecked, these inclinations can lead to rebellion and sin. In Surah Yusuf, verse 53, the Quran states: “Indeed, the soul is a persistent enforcer of evil, except for what my Lord has mercy upon.” This verse expresses the truth that the human soul naturally leans towards material desires and urges, and failing to control it is one of the most important roots of sin. The struggle against this self is known as 'Jihad al-Akbar' (the greater struggle), which holds immense importance in Islamic spiritual training. The fourth factor is heedlessness and forgetfulness ('Ghaflah'). Humans may, due to attachment to worldly life and its amusements, become oblivious to their true purpose of creation, to the Hereafter, to the constant presence of God, and to the consequences of sins. This heedlessness provides fertile ground for Satan's whispers and the soul's desires. When humans forget God and the Hereafter, divine standards and values fade, and the inclination to sin increases. The Quran repeatedly warns humans not to be heedless and to always remember God. This continuous remembrance ('Dhikr') serves as an antidote to heedlessness. The fifth factor is the love of worldly life ('Hubb al-Dunya') or worldliness. In the Quranic view, this world is a means to reach the Hereafter and the eternal abode, not the ultimate goal. However, excessive attachment to worldly possessions, status, fame, and material pleasures can divert humans from the righteous path. When humans view the world as their ultimate goal, they become willing to transgress divine limits and commit sins to achieve it. In Surah Al-Imran, verse 185, the Quran clearly states: “And what is the life of this world except the enjoyment of delusion.” This verse shows how the deceptiveness of worldly life can draw humans towards sin, as it distracts them from the greater truth of the Hereafter. Finally, it can be said that Allah created humans weak and needy. This weakness does not imply incapacity but rather their susceptibility to making mistakes. The Quran states: “And We did not find in him [Adam] determination” (Surah Taha, verse 115, referring to Adam). This inherent weakness, combined with other factors, leads to human slips. However, what is more important than the sin itself is how one deals with it. The Holy Quran places great emphasis on repentance ('Tawbah') and returning to God. Allah is Most Forgiving and Most Merciful, and He always keeps the door of repentance open for His sinful servants. In Surah Az-Zumar, verse 53, He says: “Say, ‘O My servants who have transgressed against themselves [by sinning], do not despair of the mercy of Allah. Indeed, Allah forgives all sins. Indeed, it is He who is the Forgiving, the Merciful.’” This verse demonstrates that while sin results from human weakness and temptation, the path to return and forgiveness is always open, which is a sign of Allah’s boundless mercy. Therefore, humans commit sins, but the hope for repentance and return should never be lost. In summary, humans commit sins due to their free will, under the influence of Satanic whispers and carnal desires, and also as a result of heedlessness and attachment to worldly life. However, the purpose of these trials and even sins is not destruction, but rather human growth and development through repentance and return to the righteous path. The Quran emphasizes human responsibility for their choices while also highlighting the vastness of divine mercy and forgiveness.