The Prevention of Knowledge: Knowledge is a light, which Allaah throws into the heart, and disobedience extinguishes this light.

The Prevention of Sustenance: Just as Taqwaa brings about sustenance, the abandonment of Taqwaa causes poverty. There is nothing, which can bring about sustenance like the abandonment of disobedience

The prevention of obedience (to Allah). If there were no other punishment for sin other than that it prevents one from obedience to Allah then this would be sufficient.

Disobedience weakens the heart and the body. Its weakening the heart is something which is clear. Disobedience does not stop weakening it until the life of the heart ceases completely.

Disobedience reduces the lifespan and destroys any blessings. Just as righteousness increases the lifespan, sinning reduces it.

Disobedience sows its own seeds and gives birth to itself until separating from it and coming out of it becomes difficult for the servant.

Sins weaken the hearts will and resolve so that the desire for disobedience becomes strong and the desire to repent becomes weak bit by bit until the desire to repent is removed from the heart completely.

Every type of disobedience is a legacy of a nation from among the nations which Allah destroyed. Sodomy is a legacy of the People of Lot, taking more than one's due right and giving what is less is a legacy of the People of Shu'ayb, seeking greatness in the land and causing corruption is a legacy of the People of Pharaoh and pride/arrogance and tyranny is a legacy of the People of Hud. So the disobedient one is wearing the gown of some of these nations who were the enemies of Allah.

Disobedience is a cause of the servant being held in contempt by his Lord. Allah the Exalted said: And whomsoever Allah lowers (humiliates) there is none to give honour. [Hajj 22:18]

The ill effects of the sinner fall upon those besides him and also the animals as a result of which they are touched by harm.

The servant continues to commit sins until they become very easy for him and seem insignificant in his heart and this is a sign of destruction. Every time a sin becomes insignificant in the sight of the servant it becomes great in the sight of Allah.

Disobedience inherits humiliation and lowliness. Honour, all of it, lies in the obedience of Allah.

Disobedience corrupts the intellect. The intellect has light and disobedience extinguishes this light. When the light of the intellect is extinguished it becomes weak and deficient.

When disobedience increases, the servant's heart becomes sealed so that he becomes of those who are heedless. The Exalted said: But no! A stain has been left on their hearts on account of what they used to earn (i.e. their actions) [Mutaffifeen 83:14]

Sins cause the various types of corruption to occur in the land. Corruption of the waters, the air, the plants, the fruits and the dwelling places. The Exalted said: Mischief has appeared on the land and the sea on account of what the hands of men have earned; that He may give them a taste of some of (the actions) they have done, in order that they may return. [Rum 30:41]

The disappearance of modesty which is the essence of the life of the heart and is the basis of every good. Its disappearance is the disappearance of all that is good. It is authentic from the Messenger (s) that he said: Modesty is goodness, all of it.

Sins weaken and reduce the magnification of Allah, the Mighty in the heart of the servant

Sins are the cause of Allah forgetting His servant, abandoning him and leaving him to fend for himself with his soul and his shaytaan and in this is the destruction from which no deliverance can be hoped for.

Sins remove the servant from the realm of Ihsaan (doing good) and he is prevented from (obtaining) the reward of those who do good. When Ihsaan fills the heart it prevents it from disobedience.

Disobedience causes the favors (of Allah) to cease and make His revenge lawful. No blessing ceases to reach a servant except due to a sin and no retribution is made lawful upon him except due to a sin. Imam Ali said: No trial has descended except due to a sin and it (the trial) is not repelled except by repentance. Allah the Exalted said: Whatever misfortune afflicts you then it is due to what your hands have earned and (yet) He pardons many [Shura 42:30] And the Exalted also said: That is because never will Allah change the favour He has bestowed on a people until they change what is with themselves [Anfaal 8:53]

A man once came to Imam Hussein asking for advice since he could not stop committing sin.

Imam Hussein asked him to do any of the following five things and then he could sin as he wished:

1. Do not eat from the sustenance of Allah, and then sin as you like.

2. Go out of the kingdom of Allah, and then sin as you like.

3. Find a place where Allah does not see you and then sin as you like.

4. When the Angel of Death approaches you to take you soul, stop him from doing so.

5. When you are dragged into the hell fire at the command of Allah, refuse to enter.