Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) mentioned the greatest sins or he was asked about the greatest sins. He said, "To join partners in worship with Allah; to kill a soul which Allah has forbidden to kill; and to be undutiful or unkind to one's parents." The Prophet (ﷺ) added, "Shall I inform you of the biggest of the great sins? That is the forged statement or the false witness." Shu`ba (the sub-narrator) states that most probably the Prophet said, "the false witness."
Hadith Text and Context
Narrated Anas bin Malik: Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) mentioned the greatest sins or was asked about them. He said, "To join partners in worship with Allah; to kill a soul which Allah has forbidden to kill; and to be undutiful to one's parents." He then added, "Shall I inform you of the biggest of the great sins? That is the forged statement or the false witness." Shu`ba states the Prophet most likely said "the false witness."
Reference: Sahih al-Bukhari 5977 | Book: Good Manners and Form (Al-Adab)
Hierarchy of Major Sins
The Prophet ﷺ establishes a clear hierarchy of sins, beginning with shirk (associating partners with Allah) as the gravest offense that nullifies one's Islam. Next is unlawful killing (qatl an-nafs), violating Allah's sanctity of life. Third is disobedience to parents ('uquq al-walidayn), breaking the most fundamental human relationship after one's relationship with Allah.
The Prophet then emphasizes false testimony (shahadat az-zur) as being among the "biggest of great sins" due to its catastrophic consequences on society - corrupting justice, destroying reputations, and enabling oppression.
Scholarly Commentary
Imam al-Qurtubi explains that shirk heads the list because it constitutes ingratitude toward the Creator. Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani notes that killing follows shirk as it destroys Allah's most honored creation, while parental disobedience violates the rights of those through whom one receives existence and upbringing.
Regarding false testimony, scholars emphasize its gravity lies in its compound nature - it combines lying, betrayal of trust, corruption of judicial systems, and potential facilitation of other major sins. Al-Nawawi states it can lead to wrongful punishments, property seizure, and family breakdown.
Practical Implications
This hadith teaches Muslims to prioritize avoiding these specific sins while maintaining vigilance against all transgressions. The ordering indicates theological correctness (tawhid) must precede moral conduct, yet moral failings can have devastating consequences.
The emphasis on false testimony serves as a warning for Muslims in legal, business, and social contexts to maintain absolute honesty, particularly when others' rights are involved. It reminds believers that sins affecting society carry special weight in Allah's judgment.