What does Islam say about original sin?

Why This Question Matters

This question is closely connected to how a person understands sin, forgiveness, and the purpose of Jesus. Islam begins from a different foundation: people are not born carrying the personal guilt of Adam, and forgiveness does not require an innocent person to inherit someone else’s guilt.

Islamic Perspective

The Qur’an teaches that Adam disobeyed Allah, but it also teaches that Adam repented and Allah accepted his repentance. His personal sin was not passed down to every human being as inherited guilt. The Qur’an repeatedly establishes the principle that no bearer of sin carries the burden of another. Each person is accountable for his or her own choices. Authentic Sunnah also teaches that every child is born upon the fitrah, the natural disposition Allah created in human beings. Islam therefore teaches personal accountability together with direct repentance: when a person sins, the way back to Allah is sincere repentance, faith, obedience, and seeking His forgiveness and mercy.

Key Points

• Adam sinned but then repented.
• Allah accepted Adam’s repentance.
• Human beings do not inherit Adam’s personal guilt.
• Every person is responsible for his or her own sins.
• No person carries another person’s burden of sin.
• Every child is born upon the fitrah.
• A sinner can turn directly to Allah in sincere repentance.
• Allah is the One who forgives sins.

Supporting Evidence

• Qur’an 2:37 states that Adam received words from his Lord, repented, and Allah accepted his repentance.
• Qur’an 7:23 records Adam and his wife acknowledging their wrongdoing and asking Allah for forgiveness and mercy.
• Qur’an 6:164 states that every soul earns against itself and that no bearer of burdens will bear another person’s burden.
• Qur’an 17:15 repeats that no bearer of burdens bears the burden of another.
• Qur’an 35:18 states that even a heavily burdened person cannot transfer that burden to another, including a close relative.
• Qur’an 53:38–41 establishes that no bearer bears another’s burden and that each person’s own striving will be recompensed.
• Sahih Muslim 2658b and related authentic narrations establish that every child is born upon the fitrah.

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