Abu Bakra reported that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "Shall I tell you which is the worst of the major wrong actions?" "Yes, Messenger of Allah," they replied. He said, "Associating something else with Allah and disobeying parents." He had been reclining but then he sat up and said, "and false witness." Abu Bakra said, "He continued to repeat it until I said, 'Is he never going to stop?'"
Hadith Commentary
This profound narration from Abu Bakra, recorded in Al-Adab Al-Mufrad 15, reveals the gravity of parental disobedience by placing it alongside shirk (associating partners with Allah) as among the worst major sins. The Prophet's physical shift from reclining to sitting upright emphasizes the critical importance of his warning.
Scholarly Analysis
Islamic scholars note that the initial pairing of shirk and disobeying parents demonstrates the unique status of parental rights in Islam. While shirk violates the rights of the Creator, parental disobedience violates the most fundamental rights of creation.
The addition of false witness as the third major sin completes a triad of transgressions: against God, against family, and against society. The Prophet's repetition indicates his desire to firmly implant this teaching in the hearts of his companions.
Practical Implications
This hadith teaches Muslims that honoring parents is not merely recommended but obligatory to the degree that its violation ranks among the most severe spiritual crimes. It establishes parental respect as a cornerstone of Islamic ethics alongside theological purity and social honesty.