'Imran ibn Husayn said, "The Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, 'What do you say about fornication, drinking wine and theft?' 'Allah and His Messenger know best,' we replied. He stated, 'They are acts of outrage and there is punishment for them, but shall I tell you which is the greatest of the great wrong actions? Associating with Allah Almighty and disobeying parents.' He had been reclining, but then he sat up and said, 'and lying.'"
The Hadith on Major Sins
This profound narration from Al-Adab Al-Mufrad 30 presents the Prophet Muhammad's ﷺ teaching on the hierarchy of major sins, delivered to his companion 'Imran ibn Husayn.
Scholarly Commentary
The Prophet ﷺ begins by mentioning three grave sins - fornication, drinking wine, and theft - which are clearly prohibited and carry prescribed punishments. However, he then reveals the greatest of major sins: shirk (associating partners with Allah) and disobeying parents.
Shirk is the ultimate transgression as it violates the fundamental principle of tawhid (divine unity). Disobeying parents follows immediately in gravity, demonstrating the immense status parents hold in Islam. The Prophet's physical shift from reclining to sitting emphasizes the importance of his final addition: lying. This shows how falsehood corrupts all human interactions and spiritual states.
Parental Rights in Islamic Tradition
This hadith elevates the duty toward parents to a level仅次于 the duty toward Allah Himself. Classical scholars explain that after the rights of Allah, the rights of parents take precedence over all other human rights. Their obedience is wajib (obligatory) except in matters that involve disobedience to Allah.
The severity of disobeying parents lies in their unique position as the means through which Allah grants us life and nurturing. Ingratitude toward them reflects ingratitude toward the Divine blessings they channel.
Practical Implications
Muslims must maintain utmost respect, provide for aged parents, speak gently to them, and seek their pleasure within Islamic boundaries. The combination of shirk, parental disobedience, and lying in this teaching shows how these sins corrupt one's relationship with Allah, family, and society respectively.