“Allah’s Messenger said (Allah bless him and give him peace): ‘Should I tell you about the greatest of the major sins?’ They said: ‘Yes indeed, O Messenger of Allah!’ He said: ‘Associating partners with Allah, and recalcitrance against parents.’ Allah’s Messenger (Allah bless him and give him peace) sat down, and he was leaning on a support. He added: '...and false testimony’ or: ‘false speech.’ Allah’s Messenger (Allah bless him and give him peace) went on speaking until we said: ‘If only he would keep silent!”
The Pillow Of Rasoolullah - Ash-Shama'il Al-Muhammadiyah 130
This profound hadith from Ash-Shama'il Al-Muhammadiyah reveals the Messenger's profound concern for his ummah's spiritual welfare. The Prophet's physical posture—leaning on a support—demonstrates the gravity of his message while showing his human need for rest.
The Gradual Revelation of Major Sins
The Companions' response "Yes indeed, O Messenger of Allah!" shows their eagerness to learn what distances them from Divine mercy. The Prophet first mentions shirk (associating partners with Allah)—the ultimate transgression that nullifies faith.
Recalcitrance against parents follows as the second greatest sin, emphasizing the honor due to those through whom Allah granted us existence. The Prophet's pause while leaning indicates he was gathering strength to deliver further crucial warnings.
The Climactic Addition
After the initial pause, the Prophet adds "false testimony" or "false speech"—showing the severity of lying under oath or in general discourse. Scholars note this addition came after reflection, highlighting how speech can destroy social fabric and justice.
The Companions' eventual thought "If only he would keep silent!" reveals their overwhelmed state—not from annoyance, but from the weight of these spiritual warnings. They recognized each additional word exposed them to greater accountability before Allah.
Scholarly Commentary
Imam Nawawi explains this hadith establishes a hierarchy of sins, with shirk as the unforgivable unless repented from. Parental disobedience is paired with shirk due to parents being the means of our existence, just as Allah is our Ultimate Creator.
Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani notes the Prophet's physical posture reflects the hadith's importance—when a teacher leans or sits solemnly, students should increase their attention. The final addition about false speech teaches that sins of the tongue can equal major bodily transgressions.