How is watching pornographic films considered among the major sins, while the act of the Companion who touched a woman without molesting her, of whom it was said: "Indeed, good deeds erase evil deeds," is not considered among the major sins, even though his act was more dangerous than mere watching?

The general rule is that looking at 'awrat (private parts) is considered a minor sin. However, watching illicit films is more dangerous because they depict 'awrat and indecency, causing the viewer to become attached to them, which can lead to addiction and committing zina (fornication/adultery), a major sin. Minor sins, when persisted in, can turn into major sins, and addiction to them is a cause of destruction. Scholars have mentioned that minor sins, when repeatedly committed, indicate a lack of concern for religion. Ibn Abd al-Salam pointed out that the severity of a sin increases if its harms equal or exceed those of major sins. One who is addicted to this habit often looks with lust, which can lead to masturbation. Al-Haytami considered looking at a non-mahram woman with lust, while fearing temptation, to be a major sin. A minor sin may be accompanied by indifference and trivialization, which elevates it to the status of a major sin. The promise of forgiveness is linked to minor sins for which one repents and seeks forgiveness, not for those who persist in them.