Hadith Text & Reference

The Messenger of Allah [SAW] said: "Whoever comes worshipping Allah and not associating anything with Him, establishing Salah, paying Zakah and avoiding major sins, Paradise will be his." They asked him about major sins and he said: "Associating others with Allah, killing a Muslim soul, and fleeing (from the battlefield) on the day of the march."

Source: Sunan an-Nasa'i 4009 | Book: The Book of Fighting [The Prohibition of Bloodshed]

Overview of the Hadith

This profound hadith outlines the fundamental path to Paradise through five essential pillars: pure monotheism, establishment of prayer, payment of zakah, and avoidance of major sins - specifically highlighting three gravest offenses.

Scholarly Commentary on the Conditions for Paradise

Tawhid (Islamic Monotheism): The foundation of faith begins with worshipping Allah alone without any partners. This pure monotheism negates all forms of shirk (associating partners with Allah), which the Prophet identified as the greatest major sin.

Establishing Salah: The regular performance of the five daily prayers at their proper times with proper devotion constitutes the pillar of Islam and the primary connection between the servant and his Lord.

Paying Zakah: This purification of wealth represents the social responsibility of Muslims and the rights of the poor upon the wealthy, ensuring economic justice within the community.

Exposition of the Major Sins

Shirk (Associating Partners with Allah): The ultimate injustice and the only sin Allah will not forgive if one dies upon it. It corrupts the very purpose of creation and nullifies all good deeds.

Killing a Muslim Soul: A grave transgression that violates the sanctity Allah has granted to human life. The scholars emphasize that unlawful killing brings divine wrath and severe punishment in the Hereafter.

Fleeing from Battlefield: Desertion during jihad when fighting is obligatory represents cowardice, abandonment of religious duty, and weakening the Muslim community. Classical scholars clarify this applies when conditions for obligatory fighting are met.

Legal and Spiritual Implications

The hadith demonstrates that avoiding major sins is essential for salvation, alongside fulfilling fundamental obligations. Scholars explain that while minor sins may be forgiven through good deeds and repentance, major sins require sincere repentance specifically.

The selection of these three particular major sins highlights their severity: shirk destroys faith itself, murder destroys human life, and desertion destroys communal security and religious commitment.

Conclusion

This comprehensive hadith provides a clear roadmap to Paradise through affirmative obligations and prohibitions. It balances individual worship with social responsibilities and emphasizes the gravity of sins that threaten the foundation of faith, life, and community.