A desert Arab came to the Prophet (ﷺ) and said, "O Allah's Messenger, what are the major sins?" The narrator reported the Hadith and it contains: "The false oath." It contains also: I asked, "What is the false oath?" The Prophet (ﷺ) replied, "It is that (oath) by which one takes possession of the property of a Muslim person, while he is lying." [al-Bukhari reported it].
Oaths and Vows - Bulugh al-Maram 1380
In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. All praise is due to Allah, Lord of the worlds, and may peace and blessings be upon His final Messenger Muhammad.
Context and Meaning
This noble hadith from Sahih al-Bukhari, reported in Bulugh al-Maram, addresses the gravity of false oaths. The desert Arab's question demonstrates the sincere seeker's desire to understand the boundaries set by Allah. The Prophet's ﷺ inclusion of "false oath" among major sins reveals its severe spiritual consequences.
A false oath (al-yamin al-ghamus) literally means "the drowning oath" because it drowns its taker in sin. It occurs when one swears by Allah falsely to usurp another Muslim's property or rights. This constitutes both violation of Allah's sanctity and transgression against fellow Muslims.
Scholarly Commentary
Imam Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani explains that this oath is called "ghamus" because it submerges the swearer in Allah's punishment, just as water submerges one who drowns. The scholars agree this is among the gravest sins due to its dual nature: dishonoring Allah's name and wronging His creation.
Al-Qurtubi states that such an oath combines multiple sins: lying, breaking trust, oppression, and taking property unlawfully. The severity increases when the oath concerns matters of significance like property rights.
Ibn al-Qayyim emphasizes that repentance requires returning the usurped property to its rightful owner and seeking forgiveness. Mere verbal repentance without restitution is insufficient for such violations of others' rights.
Legal Implications
The jurists classify this as one of the seven destructive sins mentioned in another hadith. The Hanafi school considers it requiring both repentance and compensation. The Maliki school emphasizes immediate return of property and additional expiation. The Shafi'i school requires sincere repentance and restoration of rights. The Hanbali school mandates compensation and expiation through charity or fasting.
All schools agree that such an oath invalidates any claim to the property and obligates its return regardless of legal technicalities.
Spiritual Lessons
This teaching reminds Muslims that Allah's names are sacred and must never be invoked for false purposes. It establishes the inviolability of Muslim property and honor. The hadith cultivates consciousness of Allah in all transactions and utterances.
The believer must fear Allah regarding oaths, speaking truthfully even without swearing, and avoiding oaths in mundane matters. When necessary to swear, one must do so truthfully and only for legitimate purposes.
We seek refuge in Allah from such grave sins and ask Him to make us among those who honor His covenants and respect the rights of His servants. May Allah accept our repentance and guide us to straight path.