A bedouin came to the Prophet (ﷺ) and said, "O Allah's Messenger (ﷺ)! What are the biggest sins?: The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "To join others in worship with Allah." The bedouin said, "What is next?" The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "To be undutiful to one's parents." The bedouin said "What is next?" The Prophet (ﷺ) said "To take an oath 'Al-Ghamus." The bedouin said, "What is an oath 'Al-Ghamus'?" The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "The false oath through which one deprives a Muslim of his property (unjustly).
The Hadith on Major Sins
This narration from Sahih al-Bukhari 6920, found in the Book of Apostates, presents a profound dialogue between a desert Arab and the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) concerning the gravest transgressions in Islam.
Commentary on Shirk (Associating Partners with Allah)
The Prophet (ﷺ) first identified shirk as the greatest sin because it violates the fundamental principle of Tawhid (Divine Unity). This constitutes disbelief and severs one's relationship with the Creator.
Classical scholars emphasize that shirk nullifies all good deeds and, if unrepented, leads to eternal punishment. It represents the ultimate injustice by directing worship to other than Allah.
Commentary on Disobedience to Parents
The second major sin mentioned is 'uqūq al-wālidayn (disobedience to parents). Scholars explain this includes any form of disrespect, neglect, or causing distress to one's parents.
This sin follows shirk in gravity because parents are the immediate cause of one's existence after Allah. Their rights are considered second only to Allah's rights in many Quranic verses.
Commentary on Al-Ghamus Oath
The third major sin is yamīn al-ghamūs - the "submersive oath" that drowns its taker in sin. Scholars define this as a deliberate false oath concerning past events, sworn to usurp a Muslim's property or rights.
This is distinguished from other false oaths by its destructive consequence - unlawfully taking what belongs to others. The term "ghamūs" indicates it submerges the perpetrator in Hellfire due to its severity.
Scholarly Observations
Imam al-Nawawi notes this hadith demonstrates the Prophet's teaching methodology - answering according to the questioner's understanding and building knowledge gradually.
Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani observes that these three sins represent violations of the three fundamental relationships: with Allah, with family, and with society.
The progression shows how sins against Allah's rights are most severe, followed by sins against human rights, particularly those with special claims like parents.