The biggest of the greatest Sins

The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) said thrice, “Shall I not inform you of the biggest of the greatest sins?” We said, “Yes, O Messenger of Allah” He said, “To join partners in worship with Allah and to be undutiful to one’s parents.” The Prophet (pbuh) sat up after he had been reclining and added, “And I warn you against giving lying speech and a false witness; I warn you against giving a lying speech (forged statement) and a false witness.” The Prophet (pbuh) kept on saying that warning till we thought he would not stop. [Sahih Bukhari]

Commentary:

The Prophet (pbuh) repeating, “Shall I not inform you of the biggest of the greatest sins?” three times was to grab the attention of those who were present by asking them a question regarding a great and very important issue.

The Prophet (pbuh) saying, “and to be undutiful to one’s parents” means to harm, disobey and disagree with ones parents. This is the opposite of being dutiful to ones parents.

The Prophet (pbuh) sat up after he had been reclining when he warned about ‘lying speech and false witness’ because alot of people take these and similar issues lightly and therefore it is easy for them to fall into this type of sin. So the Prophet (pbuh) wanted to place extra emphasis on the seriousness of these actions.

This Hadith also teaches us that is recommend to repeat a point of advice three times so that it may be cleary understood and also to show the importance of the advice you are giving.

And Allah knows best!