I said 'O Allah's Messenger (ﷺ)! Which sin is the greatest?" He said, "To set up a rival unto Allah, though He Alone created you." I said, "What next?" He said, "To kill your son lest he should share your food with you." I further asked, "What next?" He said, "To commit illegal sexual intercourse with the wife of your neighbor." And then Allah revealed as proof of the statement of the Prophet: 'Those who invoke not with Allah any other god)................. (to end of verse)...' (25.68)
Commentary on the Hadith of Major Sins
This narration from Sahih al-Bukhari 6001, found in the Book of Good Manners and Form (Al-Adab), presents a profound hierarchy of major sins as explained by the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) to his companion. The three sins mentioned represent the gravest violations against Allah's rights and human rights.
The Greatest Sin: Shirk
The Prophet (ﷺ) identified shirk (associating partners with Allah) as the gravest sin because it violates the fundamental purpose of creation - to worship Allah alone. This constitutes the ultimate injustice against the Creator who alone deserves worship.
Classical scholars like Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani explain that shirk nullifies all good deeds and guarantees eternal punishment if one dies upon it without repentance, as it contradicts the very essence of tawhid (divine unity).
Second Major Sin: Killing One's Child
This refers to the pre-Islamic practice of burying daughters alive out of fear of poverty or shame. Scholars note this represents the ultimate betrayal of parental responsibility and trust.
Imam al-Qurtubi comments that this sin combines multiple transgressions: murder, severance of kinship ties, and distrust in Allah's provision - all severe violations of Islamic ethics.
Third Major Sin: Adultery with Neighbor's Wife
This specific formulation highlights multiple violations: illicit sexual relations, betrayal of community trust, and violation of neighborhood rights which Islam strongly emphasizes.
Ibn al-Arabi explains that the neighbor's wife is specified because this compounds the sin by adding breach of trust to the already grave sin of zina (unlawful sexual intercourse).
Quranic Corroboration
The concluding reference to Surah al-Furqan (25:68) demonstrates how revelation confirmed the Prophet's teaching, showing the perfect harmony between Quran and Sunnah.
Scholars note that the verse mentions those who avoid major sins - including shirk, murder, and zina - thereby validating the Prophet's hierarchy of sins in this hadith.