Associating anyone with Allah, disobedience to parents, killing a person and false utterance.
The Four Major Sins
This commentary examines the profound hadith from Sahih Muslim 88a, wherein the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) explicitly identified four of the gravest sins in Islam.
Commentary on Shirk (Associating Partners with Allah)
This is the paramount and unforgivable sin, as Allah states: "Indeed, Allah does not forgive association with Him, but He forgives what is less than that for whom He wills" (Qur'an 4:48). Shirk nullifies all righteous deeds and severs one's connection with the Divine. It is the ultimate injustice, attributing the creation and sustenance of the universe to other than its true Creator.
Commentary on Disobedience to Parents
The Prophet placed this sin immediately after Shirk, indicating its severe gravity. Obedience to parents is a fundamental Islamic principle, second only to the worship of Allah. Disobedience is considered a form of spiritual and moral corruption, as parents are the direct cause of one's existence and upbringing. Honoring them is a means of drawing closer to Allah's pleasure.
Commentary on Unlawful Killing
The sanctity of human life is divinely ordained. The Qur'an equates the unjust killing of one soul to the killing of all mankind (5:32). This prohibition extends beyond physical murder to include character assassination, oppression, and any act that unjustly harms another. It is a violation of the trust Allah placed in humanity as His vicegerents on earth.
Commentary on False Utterance
This comprehensive term includes false testimony, lying, slander, and bearing false witness. The Prophet warned that lying leads to wickedness, and wickedness leads to the Fire. Truthfulness is the foundation of a just society and a sound faith. False testimony, in particular, corrupts the entire judicial system and leads to the oppression of the innocent.
Scholarly Insights
Scholars note that these four sins represent violations against the fundamental rights of Allah (Shirk) and the rights of His creation (the other three). They corrupt the individual soul and the social order. The hadith serves as a stark warning to avoid these destructive paths and to constantly seek Allah's protection from falling into such grave transgressions.