Question

Who is this statement attributed to and could you please mention the reference?

إنك أن تلقى الله عز وجل بسبعين ذنباً فيما بينك وبينه أهون عليك من أن تلقاه بذنب واحد فيما بينك وبين العباد

Answer

Faqih Abul Layth As Samarqandi and ‘Allamah Qurtubi (rahimahumallah) have cited this as the statement of Sufyan Thawri (rahimahullah).

(Tambihul Ghafilin, pg. 359 and At Tadhkirah Fi Ahwalil Mawta Wa Umuril Akhirah, vol. 2, pg. 143)

Translation

It is easier to meet Allah with seventy sins which are between you and Him [i.e., where you have violated the command of Allah] than meeting him with one sin between you and another person [i.e., where you have violated the right of a person/oppressed him in any way].

And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.

Answered by: Mawlana Suhail Motala

Approved by: Mawlana Muhammad Abasoomar

Checked by: Mawlana Haroon Abasoomar