Major Sins
Total Hadiths 154
What Does Islam Teach About the Major Sins?
These authentic prophetic narrations explicitly clarify the nature of major sins (Al-Kaba'ir) in Islam to help believers safeguard their faith. The Prophet Muhammad repeatedly warned that the absolute greatest wrong is shirk, which means joining partners with Allah in worship. Alongside this fundamental violation, the text establishes that being undutiful or disrespectful to one's parents ranks among the most severe transgressions. Furthermore, these accounts highlight the gravity of social and financial injustices, specifically condemning the act of giving false witness, making deceptive statements, and swearing a false oath (Al-Ghamus) to wrongfully deprive a Muslim of their property.
حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ مُنِيرٍ، سَمِعَ وَهْبَ بْنَ جَرِيرٍ، وَعَبْدَ الْمَلِكِ بْنَ إِبْرَاهِيمَ، قَالاَ حَدَّثَنَا شُعْبَةُ، عَنْ عُبَيْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ أَبِي بَكْرِ بْنِ أَنَسٍ، عَنْ أَنَسٍ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ قَالَ سُئِلَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم عَنِ الْكَبَائِرِ قَالَ " الإِشْرَاكُ بِاللَّهِ، وَعُقُوقُ الْوَالِدَيْنِ، وَقَتْلُ النَّفْسِ، وَشَهَادَةُ الزُّورِ ". تَابَعَهُ غُنْدَرٌ وَأَبُو عَامِرٍ وَبَهْزٌ وَعَبْدُ الصَّمَدِ عَنْ شُعْبَةَ.
Narrated Anas: The Prophet (ﷺ) was asked about the great sins He said, "They are:-- (1 ) To join others in worship with Allah, (2) To be undutiful to one's parents. (3) To kill a person (which Allah has forbidden to kill) (i.e. to commit the crime of murdering). (4) And to give a false witness."
Reference : Sahih al-Bukhari 2653In-book reference : Book 52, Hadith 17USC-MSA web (English) reference : Vol. 3, Book 48, Hadith 821
حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ الْمُتَوَكِّلِ الْعَسْقَلاَنِيُّ، حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ الرَّزَّاقِ، حَدَّثَنَا مَعْمَرٌ، عَنْ أَيُّوبَ، عَنِ الْحَسَنِ، بِإِسْنَادِهِ وَمَعْنَاهُ مُخْتَصَرًا . قَالَ أَبُو دَاوُدَ لِمُحَمَّدٍ - يَعْنِي ابْنَ الْمُتَوَكِّلِ - أَخٌ ضَعِيفٌ يُقَالُ لَهُ الْحُسَيْنُ .
The tradition mentioned above has also been transmitted briefly by al-Hasan through a different chain of narrators to the same effect.
Reference : Sunan Abi Dawud 4269In-book reference : Book 37, Hadith 30English translation : Book 36, Hadith 4256
وَحَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ الْمُثَنَّى، وَابْنُ، بَشَّارٍ قَالاَ حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ جَعْفَرٍ، ح وَحَدَّثَنَا إِسْحَاقُ، بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ أَخْبَرَنَا النَّضْرُ، قَالاَ جَمِيعًا حَدَّثَنَا شُعْبَةُ، بِهَذَا الإِسْنَادِ . فِي حَدِيثِ ابْنِ جَعْفَرٍ نَزَلَتْ فِي آخِرِ مَا أُنْزِلَ . وَفِي حَدِيثِ النَّضْرِ إِنَّهَا لَمِنْ آخِرِ مَا أُنْزِلَتْ .
This hadith has been transmitted on the authority of Shu'ba with the same chain of narrators but with a slight variation of wording.
Reference : Sahih Muslim 3023bIn-book reference : Book 56, Hadith 20USC-MSA web (English) reference : Book 43, Hadith 7170
وَحَدَّثَنَا أَبُو بَكْرِ بْنُ أَبِي شَيْبَةَ، حَدَّثَنَا إِسْمَاعِيلُ ابْنُ عُلَيَّةَ، ح وَحَدَّثَنَا إِسْحَاقُ، بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ أَخْبَرَنَا عِيسَى بْنُ يُونُسَ، كِلاَهُمَا عَنْ أَبِي حَيَّانَ، بِهَذَا الإِسْنَادِ . بِمِثْلِ حَدِيثِهِمَا غَيْرَ أَنَّ ابْنَ عُلَيَّةَ فِي حَدِيثِهِ الْعِنَبِ . كَمَا قَالَ ابْنُ إِدْرِيسَ وَفِي حَدِيثِ عِيسَى الزَّبِيبِ . كَمَا قَالَ ابْنُ مُسْهِرٍ .
This hadith has been transmitted on the same authority but with a slight variation of wording.
Reference : Sahih Muslim 3032cIn-book reference : Book 56, Hadith 38USC-MSA web (English) reference : Book 43, Hadith 7188
حَدَّثَنَا سُلَيْمَانُ بْنُ دَاوُدَ أَبُو الرَّبِيعِ، حَدَّثَنَا إِسْمَاعِيلُ بْنُ جَعْفَرٍ، حَدَّثَنَا نَافِعُ بْنُ مَالِكِ بْنِ أَبِي عَامِرٍ أَبُو سُهَيْلٍ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ " آيَةُ الْمُنَافِقِ ثَلاَثٌ، إِذَا حَدَّثَ كَذَبَ، وَإِذَا اؤْتُمِنَ خَانَ، وَإِذَا وَعَدَ أَخْلَفَ ".
Abu Hurairah Narrated from:
The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "The signs of a hypocrite are three: Whenever he speaks he tells a lie; whenever he is entrusted he proves dishonest; whenever he promises he breaks his promise."
Reference : Sahih al-Bukhari 2749In-book reference : Book 55, Hadith 12USC-MSA web (English) reference : Vol. 4, Book 51, Hadith 12
حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ الْعَزِيزِ بْنُ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنِي سُلَيْمَانُ بْنُ بِلاَلٍ، عَنْ ثَوْرِ بْنِ زَيْدٍ الْمَدَنِيِّ، عَنْ أَبِي الْغَيْثِ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ " اجْتَنِبُوا السَّبْعَ الْمُوبِقَاتِ ". قَالُوا يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ، وَمَا هُنَّ قَالَ " الشِّرْكُ بِاللَّهِ، وَالسِّحْرُ، وَقَتْلُ النَّفْسِ الَّتِي حَرَّمَ اللَّهُ إِلاَّ بِالْحَقِّ، وَأَكْلُ الرِّبَا، وَأَكْلُ مَالِ الْيَتِيمِ، وَالتَّوَلِّي يَوْمَ الزَّحْفِ، وَقَذْفُ الْمُحْصَنَاتِ الْمُؤْمِنَاتِ الْغَافِلاَتِ ".
Abu Hurairah Narrated from:
The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "Avoid the seven great destructive sins." The people enquire, "O Allah's Messenger (ﷺ)! What are they? "He said, "To join others in worship along with Allah, to practice sorcery, to kill the life which Allah has forbidden except for a just cause, (according to Islamic law), to eat up Riba (usury), to eat up an orphan's wealth, to give back to the enemy and fleeing from the battlefield at the time of fighting, and to accuse, chaste women, who never even think of anything touching chastity and are good believers.
[1] Ribā : See glossary.Reference : Sahih al-Bukhari 2766In-book reference : Book 55, Hadith 29USC-MSA web (English) reference : Vol. 4, Book 51, Hadith 28
حَدَّثَنَا خَالِدُ بْنُ مَخْلَدٍ، حَدَّثَنَا سُلَيْمَانُ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنِي مُعَاوِيَةُ بْنُ أَبِي مُزَرَّدٍ، عَنْ سَعِيدِ بْنِ يَسَارٍ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ " خَلَقَ اللَّهُ الْخَلْقَ، فَلَمَّا فَرَغَ مِنْهُ قَامَتِ الرَّحِمُ فَأَخَذَتْ بِحَقْوِ الرَّحْمَنِ فَقَالَ لَهَا مَهْ. قَالَتْ هَذَا مَقَامُ الْعَائِذِ بِكَ مِنَ الْقَطِيعَةِ. قَالَ أَلاَ تَرْضَيْنَ أَنْ أَصِلَ مَنْ وَصَلَكِ وَأَقْطَعَ مَنْ قَطَعَكِ. قَالَتْ بَلَى يَا رَبِّ. قَالَ فَذَاكِ لَكِ ". قَالَ أَبُو هُرَيْرَةَ اقْرَءُوا إِنْ شِئْتُمْ {فهَلْ عَسَيْتُمْ إِنْ تَوَلَّيْتُمْ أَنْ تُفْسِدُوا فِي الأَرْضِ وَتُقَطِّعُوا أَرْحَامَكُمْ}
Abu Hurairah Narrated from:
The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "Allah created His creation, and when He had finished it, the womb, got up and caught hold of Allah whereupon Allah said, "What is the matter?' On that, it said, 'I seek refuge with you from those who sever the ties of Kith and kin.'On that Allah said, 'Will you be satisfied if I bestow My favors on him who keeps your ties, and withhold My favors from him who severs your ties?' On that it said, 'Yes, O my Lord!' Then Allah said, 'That is for you.' "Abu Huraira added: If you wish, you can recite: "Would you then if you were given the authority. do mischief in the land and sever your ties of kinship. (47. 22)
Reference : Sahih al-Bukhari 4830In-book reference : Book 65, Hadith 351USC-MSA web (English) reference : Vol. 6, Book 60, Hadith 354
حَدَّثَنَا إِبْرَاهِيمُ بْنُ حَمْزَةَ، حَدَّثَنَا حَاتِمٌ، عَنْ مُعَاوِيَةَ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنِي عَمِّي أَبُو الْحُبَابِ، سَعِيدُ بْنُ يَسَارٍ عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، بِهَذَا، ثُمَّ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم اقْرَءُوا إِنْ شِئْتُمْ {فَهَلْ عَسَيْتُمْ}
Abu Hurairah Narrated from:
Narrated Abu Huraira: (As above, No. 354, but added)Then Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said, "Recite if you wish: "Would you then." ..(47.22)
Reference : Sahih al-Bukhari 4831In-book reference : Book 65, Hadith 352USC-MSA web (English) reference : Vol. 6, Book 60, Hadith 355
حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ، أَخْبَرَنَا هِشَامُ بْنُ يُوسُفَ، أَخْبَرَنَا مَعْمَرٌ، عَنِ الزُّهْرِيِّ، عَنْ حُمَيْدِ بْنِ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم " مَنْ حَلَفَ فَقَالَ فِي حَلِفِهِ وَاللاَّتِ وَالْعُزَّى. فَلْيَقُلْ لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ اللَّهُ. وَمَنْ قَالَ لِصَاحِبِهِ تَعَالَ أُقَامِرْكَ. فَلْيَتَصَدَّقْ ".
Abu Hurairah Narrated from:
Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said, "Whomever takes an oath in which he mentions Lat and `Uzza (forgetfully), should say: None has the right to be worshipped but Allah, and whoever says to his companion. 'Come along, let us gamble' must give alms (as an expiation).
Reference : Sahih al-Bukhari 4860In-book reference : Book 65, Hadith 381USC-MSA web (English) reference : Vol. 6, Book 60, Hadith 383
حَدَّثَنَا يَحْيَى بْنُ بُكَيْرٍ، حَدَّثَنَا اللَّيْثُ، عَنْ عُقَيْلٍ، عَنِ ابْنِ شِهَابٍ، قَالَ أَخْبَرَنِي حُمَيْدُ بْنُ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ، أَنَّ أَبَا هُرَيْرَةَ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم " مَنْ حَلَفَ مِنْكُمْ فَقَالَ فِي حَلِفِهِ بِاللاَّتِ وَالْعُزَّى. فَلْيَقُلْ لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ اللَّهُ. وَمَنْ قَالَ لِصَاحِبِهِ تَعَالَ أُقَامِرْكَ. فَلْيَتَصَدَّقْ ".
Abu Hurairah Narrated from:
Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said, "Whoever among you takes an oath wherein he says, 'By Al-Lat and Al-`Uzza,' names of two Idols worshipped by the Pagans, he should say, 'None has the right to be worshipped but Allah; And whoever says to his friend, 'Come, let me gamble with you ! He should give something in charity. " (See Hadith No. 645)
[1] The expiation for swearing by other than Allāh heedlessly, is to say: ' Lā ilāha illallāh '; and the expiation for inviting somebody to gamble even if jokingly, is to give something in charity.Reference : Sahih al-Bukhari 6301In-book reference : Book 79, Hadith 73USC-MSA web (English) reference : Vol. 8, Book 74, Hadith 314
