SHARR – شَرّ

Literally means evil, badness, harm, corruption or malice; that which is detrimental, defective or worst. It stands in direct contrast to khayr. In its essence, while khayr is essentially tied to existence (wujûd), nûr and perfection, sharr is non-existence (‘adam), destruction, deficiency and the absence of goodness. Sharr is both the cause and the very essence of non-existence (‘adam), manifesting through destruction, non-compliance and the abandonment of khayr.

As an Islamic Term: Any action, intention, belief or choice that deviates from the Sharî‘ah, opposes the pleasure of Allah, or results in ma’nawî and moral harm. It encompasses haram acts, sins, rebelliousness, kufr and shirk.