The Nature of Major Sins (Kaba'ir)

This hadith from the Book of Faith in Mishkat al-Masabih (50, 51) enumerates the gravest transgressions in Islam. The Prophet ﷺ begins with shirk (associating partners with Allah), which is the only sin Allah will not forgive if one dies upon it. This is followed by disobedience to parents, which is mentioned alongside shirk due to its severity in violating fundamental rights.

Analysis of the Mentioned Sins

The inclusion of murder (qatl al-nafs) demonstrates the sanctity of human life in Islamic law. The variation between "deliberate perjury" (al-yamin al-ghamus) and "false testimony" (shahadat al-zur) in the two narrations shows both are among the major sins. Al-yamin al-ghamus refers to an oath that knowingly drags its taker into Hellfire by falsely swearing to usurp another Muslim's property.

The scholars note these are not all major sins but represent categories: shirk (rights of Allah), parental disobedience and murder (rights of creation), and false oaths/testimony (violating both divine and human rights). This selection teaches that major sins encompass violations against Allah, society, and individuals.

Scholarly Commentary on Legal Implications

Imam Nawawi explains that while these are among the greatest sins, the list is not exhaustive. Other major sins include adultery, usury, witchcraft, and consuming orphans' wealth. The variation in wording between the two narrations shows the complementary nature of hadith sciences.

Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani notes that the severity of these sins lies in their consequences: shirk destroys the foundation of faith, parental disobedience breaks the strongest human bonds, murder disrupts social order, and false oaths/testimony corrupt the justice system.