Bukhari

Hadith Commentary:
Atsam is a valley of Hell; he will be cast into it.
The relevance of this hadith to the chapter is as follows: The preaching (tabligh) of the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) was of two types.
One was that he would recite to the people the specific verses of the Qur’an as they were revealed. The second was that he would derive rulings from the Qur’an and explain them; then, in accordance with his deduction and instruction, the same would be clearly revealed in the Qur’an from Allah.

Hadith Commentary:
➊
The purpose of mentioning this hadith is that the communication (tabligh) of the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) was of two types:
One was specific, in which the Qur’anic verses would be revealed and he (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) would recite them to the people and urge them to act upon them.
The second type was that he (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) would derive rulings from the Qur’an and present them before the people; at times, Allah the Exalted would reveal confirmation of his (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) statements in His Book, so that no person could harbor any doubt or suspicion regarding their truthfulness, as is mentioned in the present hadith.

➋
The intent of Imam Bukhari rahimahullah is that in the speech of Allah the Exalted or in the communication of the Noble Messenger (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam), we do not find any trace of the belief that a servant is the creator of his own actions.
According to the Qur’an and hadith, this belief is based on shirk (associating partners with Allah), because the only Creator is Allah the Exalted, and associating anyone in the attribute of creation (khalq) is a grave crime in the sight of Allah the Exalted, which the Shari’ah has declared to be the greatest of the major sins (akbar al-kabair).
If a person dies holding this belief without repentance, then his abode will be Hell, in which he will abide forever.
May Allah the Exalted protect us from such beliefs.
Ameen, O Lord of the worlds.

Hadith Commentary:
The purpose is that by these words, one will not become a perjurer (hanith).

Hadith Commentary:
(1)
In these hadiths, the terms "La ilaha illallah" and "Subhanallah wa bihamdihi, Subhanallah al-azim" have been referred to as "words" (kalimat). Although in common usage these are not considered speech (kalam), if a person, while taking an oath, includes these remembrances (adhkar) in his intention—such that he swears, "I will not speak today," and then recites these adhkar—his oath will be broken.
(2)
One aspect of this issue is that if someone swears that he will not greet Zaid, and then he prays with Zaid and gives the salutation (salam) at the end of the prayer, his oath will not be broken. Although, from a legal (shar‘i) perspective, his salutation also includes Zaid, this is not the case in common usage. However, if he had included this type of legal salutation in his intention when taking the oath, then his oath will be broken.
Wallahu a‘lam (Fath al-Bari: 11/691)

Hadith Commentary:
Abdullah ibn Mas'ud radi Allahu anhu was from the tribe of Hudhayl and was the sixth person to accept Islam.
He was among the most special and devoted servants of the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam, both during travel and at home.
He migrated twice to Abyssinia and then made a permanent migration (hijrah) to Madinah on the third occasion. He was especially present alongside the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam in the battles of Badr, Uhud, Khandaq (the Trench), Hudaybiyyah, Khaybar, and the conquest of Makkah.
He was of short stature, had a thin body, wheat-colored complexion, and extremely soft and beautiful hair reaching to his ears. He was greatly advanced in knowledge and virtue.
For this reason, during the caliphate of Umar (radi Allahu anhu), he was appointed as the judge (qadi) of Kufa.
Later, he returned to Madinah and passed away there in the year 33 AH, at a little over sixty years of age, and was buried in Baqi’ al-Gharqad.
Radi Allahu anhu wa ardah. Ameen.

Hadith Commentary:
(1)
To kill one's children out of fear that they will share in one's food is a grave crime, because doing so amounts to denying Allah's attribute of being the Provider (ar-Razzaq), and necessarily entails the rejection of numerous Qur'anic verses ().
(2)
Killing one's children is, in absolute terms, a major sin (kabirah), and the restriction "because they will eat with him" is mentioned due to its prevalence, as this was the common practice among the disbelievers of that time. It is regrettable that nowadays Muslims too are afflicted by this shortcoming and are ensnared in so-called "family planning."

Hadith Commentary:
It is understood from this that shirk (associating partners with Allah) is the greatest of the major sins (akbar al-kabair), and the other mentioned sins are also major sins (kabair). If someone commits them and dies without repentance, he is sent to Hell. The one who dies in a state of shirk will remain in Hell forever, even if he is a so-called Muslim, because he prostrates to graves, calls upon the dead, and seeks needs from them—so what kind of Muslim is he? Such a Muslim is also a mushrik (polytheist).

Hadith Commentary:
(1)
Earlier, in a hadith (5977), it was stated that lying or giving false testimony is among the gravest of major sins (akbar al-kaba'ir). However, there is no doubt that the greatest sin in the sight of Allah is associating partners with Him (shirk). After that, the determination of the gravest sin will depend on circumstances and individuals. Thus, lying or giving false testimony is the greatest among sins related to the tongue, and unlawful killing is the gravest among practical (action-based) sins. Then, among those sins that pertain to the rights of people, committing adultery with a neighbor’s wife is a very great sin.

(2)
In any case, killing one’s children due to limited resources or planning for such an act is a very great sin. In view of our current tendencies, staging dramas such as “children for sale” also falls into this category. May Allah, the Exalted, protect us from such deceit and trickery. (Amin)

Hadith Commentary:
Adultery is, in any case, an evil act, but this is an even greater evil.
Imam Bukhari, by bringing this hadith, has indicated that the Qadariyyah and Mu'tazilah, who claim that a servant is the creator of his own actions, in effect equate the servant with Allah; thus, their belief becomes a grave sin.
To associate anyone else as a partner in acts of worship to Allah is shirk (polytheism), which is such a great sin that Paradise is absolutely forbidden for a polytheist who dies without repentance.
The entire Noble Qur’an is filled with statements condemning shirk, yet there are still so-called Muslims who have made the shrines of saints into places of worship.
Prostrating at shrines, asking saints to fulfill one’s needs, and making vows and offerings for them have become common practices among the general ignorant masses, which is manifest shirk. Such Muslims should reflect on how far they have strayed from the true Islam.

Hadith Commentary:
➊
During the era of Imam Bukhari rahimahullah, several tribulations arose. Among them was the tribulation of the “creation of the Qur’an.” Some people held the belief that the Qur’an of Allah Ta’ala is created. In reaction to this, some individuals adopted the stance that not only is the Qur’an itself uncreated, but even the reciter’s voice and the letters pronounced during recitation are also uncreated. This exaggeration reached such an extent that it was even claimed that the ink and paper used in the writing of the Qur’an are also uncreated.

The noble hadith scholars rahimahullah adopted the position that the reciter’s voice and the letters pronounced are indeed created, but the speech being recited is uncreated, because the recitation is the act and acquisition (kasb) of the servant, and this is created by Allah Ta’ala. On this very basis, the issue of the creation of the actions of the servants (af‘al al-‘ibad) arose.

➋
Imam Bukhari rahimahullah wrote a separate treatise on this subject, in which he established with evidences and proofs that the actions of the servants are their acquisition (kasb), but they are created by Allah Ta’ala, whether those actions are good or bad. In any case, the One who creates them is Allah Ta’ala. Meanwhile, the Mu‘tazilah and Jahmiyyah adopted the position that the servant is himself the creator of his actions, whereas the statement of Allah Ta’ala is:

“Allah created you and what you do.” ( al-Saffat: 37:96)

Therefore, to hold the belief that the servant is himself the creator of his actions is tantamount to setting oneself as a rival to Allah Ta’ala. This is a polytheistic (shirk) belief. If a person dies upon this belief, then Allah Ta’ala has made Paradise forbidden for such a polytheist. In the Noble Qur’an, the repulsiveness and vileness of shirk is mentioned. Imam Bukhari rahimahullah has also selected those verses in which the severity of shirk is described. In the presented hadith, there is an indication that the servant is not the creator of his own action. To hold the belief that the servant is the creator of his actions is a belief based on shirk. It is as if he has made a partner with Allah Ta’ala, and there is a severe warning regarding this. In the ahadith, shirk has been described as the greatest of the major sins (akbar al-kaba’ir). On this basis, it is forbidden (haram) to hold the belief that the servant is himself the creator of his actions.

Lexical Explanation:
«نِدًّا»: Example, equal, partner.
«حَلِيلَةَ جَارِكَ»: Neighbor’s wife.

Understanding the Hadith:
It is understood that shirk (associating partners with Allah) is the greatest sin, and shirk is to consider anyone equal to Allah in His oneness of Lordship (tawhid al-rububiyyah), Divinity (tawhid al-uluhiyyah), or Names and Attributes (tawhid al-asma wa al-sifat). Shirk is the opposite of tawhid, just as disbelief (kufr) is the opposite of faith (iman). [الايمان حقيقة، خوارمه ص: 109]
It is stated in the Qur’an that Allah will never forgive shirk, but He will forgive any sin other than that for whomever He wills. [سورة النساء: آيت 48]
For this reason, the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) advised a companion not to commit shirk with Allah, even if he were to be killed or burned. [صحيح : صحيح الترغيب 2516، ارواء الغليل 89/7]

Hadith Commentary:
"Nid" means "nazir," that is, an equal or counterpart; "andad" is its plural.
By "nid," it is not meant only that someone considers another god besides Allah, because most of the polytheists of Arabia and the polytheists of other lands also believed in only one God, as Allah says:
﴿وَلَئِنْ سَأَلْتَهُمْ مَنْ خَلَقَ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضَ لَيَقُولُنَّ اللَّهُ﴾ (, Luqman: 25)
That is, if you ask these polytheists who created the heavens and the earth, they will immediately say that only Allah, the Pure, is the Creator.
Despite this statement, Allah still declared them to be polytheists.
The matter is that the special attributes of Allah—such as being all-encompassing (muheet), All-Hearing (sami‘), All-Knowing (‘aleem), possessing perfect power (qudrah kamilah), and complete control (tasarruf kamil)—if anyone affirms these attributes for someone else, he has also made that other a "nid," that is, an equal to Allah. Or, for example, if someone believes that such-and-such a saint (pir) or prophet can see everything whether near or far, or that every matter is known to them, or that they can do whatever they wish, then he has become a polytheist (mushrik).
Similarly, whoever worships anyone besides Allah, fasts in their name, makes vows to them, slaughters animals in their name, offers sacrifices at their grave, remembers their name while standing or sitting, or recites litanies (wazifah) in their name, he too becomes a polytheist.
Tawhid (monotheism) is that one does not call upon anyone besides Allah, nor worships anyone else, but considers everyone to be in need of only that one Allah, and holds the belief that benefit and harm are only in the hands of Allah, Lord of the worlds.
Granting children, sending down rain, granting abundance in sustenance, causing death, burning—all of these are only within Allah’s power.
If anyone seeks these things from anyone besides Allah, whether a saint or a prophet, then he too becomes a polytheist just like the idolaters.
In short, there are two types of tawhid worth remembering:
➊ The first is tawhid al-rububiyyah, that is, to know Allah as one in His Lordship, Creatorship, and Ownership, as has been narrated regarding the statement of the polytheists of Makkah.
This tawhid is not sufficient for salvation.
➋ The second type is tawhid al-uluhiyyah, that is, to accept only one Allah, Lord of the worlds, as the deity (ilah), the one to be worshipped (ma‘bud), and the one before whom one prostrates (masjud).
To perform all forms of worship and servitude solely for Allah, Lord of the worlds, is called tawhid al-uluhiyyah.
This is the meaning of the pure word (kalimah tayyibah) "la ilaha illallah," and the first call of all the noble prophets was this tawhid al-uluhiyyah.
And with Allah is success (wa billahi al-tawfiq).

Hadith Commentary:
➊
(Niddā)
Refers to a peer or an equal; (Andād)
is its plural.
The polytheists of Makkah acknowledged Allah Ta’ala alone as the Creator of the heavens and the earth, yet they were still declared polytheists because they attributed Allah’s exclusive attributes—such as being All-Encompassing, All-Hearing, All-Knowing, All-Powerful—to others besides Allah. Therefore, if anyone worships someone other than Allah, slaughters an animal in their name, makes a vow to them, offers votive offerings at their grave, or recites supplications in their name, it is as if he considers them a peer and (nidd)
to Allah.
This is contrary to tawhid (monotheism).
Tawhid is that one does not worship anyone other than Allah Ta’ala, and firmly believes that benefit and harm are solely in Allah’s hands.
Granting children, sending rain, expanding provision, giving life and causing death are all exclusively within Allah’s power.

➋
In summary, tawhid is of two types:
The first is to acknowledge Allah Ta’ala as the Creator and Owner; this is called tawhid al-rububiyyah (the oneness of Lordship).
Even the polytheists acknowledged this tawhid.
This tawhid alone is not sufficient for salvation.
The second type is to recognize only Allah as the true deity, and to perform all forms of worship solely for Him; this is called tawhid al-uluhiyyah (the oneness of worship).
All the Prophets (alayhim al-salam) were champions of this tawhid and called towards it.
Salvation on the Day of Judgment depends on this. The polytheists of Makkah denied this tawhid, and for this reason they have been declared eternally destined for Hell.

➌
In the era of ignorance (Jahiliyyah), people would kill their children immediately after birth out of fear of poverty. Allah Ta’ala warned them about this:
“Do not kill your children for fear of poverty; We provide sustenance for them and for you. Surely, killing them is a grave sin.”
(Fath al-Bari: 8/204)
This sin in fact comprises several sins: firstly, killing an innocent; secondly, killing one’s own child; thirdly, killing someone who cannot defend himself; and fourthly, killing out of fear that he will eat with us, as if they are the providers of sustenance.
There is no trust or reliance upon Allah as the Provider.
Alas! Today, the grave sin of killing children is being carried out in a highly organized manner throughout the world under the name of “family planning.”
Men, under the pretext of “better education and upbringing,” and women, in order to preserve their so-called beauty, are openly committing this crime.
This act of the era of ignorance is being carried out with great fervor in our educated age.

➍
Adultery (zina) is a most heinous crime.
Observe its abhorrence and repulsiveness: a married adulterer is not worthy of being allowed to live in this world; rather, it is a major requirement of the Shari‘ah that he be stoned to death and erased from the face of the earth—especially when he commits this act with his neighbor’s wife, whose honor and respect the Shari‘ah has greatly emphasized.
Wa Allahu al-musta‘an.

➎
In one narration of Sahih al-Bukhari, a Companion (radi Allahu anhu) states that Allah Ta’ala confirmed these matters in the following words:
“And those who do not call upon any other deity along with Allah, nor kill any soul unjustly, nor commit adultery—and whoever does these things has committed a grave sin. On the Day of Judgment, his punishment will be doubled.”
(Bani Isra’il: 17:31)

Hadith Commentary:
In which there is no intermediary of Abu Maysarah between Abu Wa’il and Abdullah ibn Mas’ud radi Allahu anhu.
Among all these narrations, some major sins are mentioned which are indeed very grave sins, but the door of repentance is open for everyone, provided that the repentance is genuine.

Hadith Commentary:
(1)
The reason for the term "halilah" is that it becomes lawful (halal) for the husband to have intercourse with her, or because both of them share the same bed.
(2)
Although adultery (zina) is extremely filthy and evil in every respect, committing adultery with a neighbor’s wife is an even greater and more severe sin because her honor and rights are greater than those of other people.
The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said:
“The one whose neighbor is not safe from his mischief, his faith is not complete.”
(Sahih al-Bukhari, al-Adab, Hadith: 6016)
In any case, this hadith demonstrates the abhorrence of adultery, especially when one disgraces himself with his neighbor’s wife, as its severity increases even more.
(Fath al-Bari: 12/142)
And Allah knows best.

Hadith Commentary:
Among the major sins, the greatest sin is shirk—that is, associating anyone with Allah in worship. This is the sin for which, if a person dies without repentance, there is no forgiveness with Allah.
The polytheists will remain in Hell forever.
Paradise is absolutely forbidden for them.
Similarly, unlawful killing is also a major sin, and adultery is likewise a major sin.
May Allah protect every Muslim from these, ameen.

Hadith Commentary:
In Islamic law, there are five cases in which killing is considered rightful:

➊ The perpetrator of intentional murder (qatl ‘amd) is killed in retribution (qisas).
➋ Those who resist the path of the true religion are fought against.
➌ Those who attempt to overthrow the Islamic system of government and rebel are suppressed.
➍ A married man or woman who commits adultery (zina) is stoned to death (rajm).
➎ The punishment for someone who, after accepting Islam, reverts to disbelief (i.e., becomes an apostate—murtad) is also death.

Only these five cases exist in which the sanctity of human life is lifted, and killing is considered rightful.

And Allah knows best.

Hadith Commentary:
Vocabulary of the Hadith:
(1)
Nidd:
An equal or a peer,
one of equal standing.
(2)
Halilah:
Wife,
because she stays with her husband and is lawful (halal) for him.

Benefits and Issues:
For any worldly reason—whether it is poverty and hardship or the fear and apprehension of it—preventing the birth of children is, after shirk (associating partners with Allah), the greatest crime, which Muslim governments and individuals are committing by falling prey to the conspiracies of non-Muslims.
(That is, they cooperate with non-Muslim funds, etc., for birth control,
while in their own countries, they exempt taxes for having more children.)
And a person is the guardian of his neighbor’s honor and dignity;
if he himself begins to violate that honor or tries to lead his neighbor astray,
then this is like the fence itself eating the crop,
therefore, it has been declared an extremely abhorrent and grave crime.

Explanation:
1:
The servants of Allah are those who do not call upon anyone as a deity along with Allah,
and do not kill any soul whose killing Allah has forbidden,
unjustly (i.e., without legal retribution, etc.),
and do not commit adultery,
and whoever does any of these will face the punishment for his sins,
on the Day of Resurrection the punishment will be doubled for him and he will abide therein humiliated and disgraced (Al-Furqan: 68-69).

2:
In Sufyan’s narration from Wasl (no. 3182), there is also the addition of “Amr ibn Shurahbil” in the chain of narration,
in fact, this addition is present in both of Sufyan’s narrations,
but this addition is not found in either of Shu’bah’s narrations.

Explanation:
1:
The author has mentioned this hadith in the commentary of the statement of Allah, the Exalted:
﴿And those who do not invoke with Allah another deity or kill the soul which Allah has forbidden except by right, and do not commit unlawful sexual intercourse. And whoever does that will meet a penalty.﴾ ()

Benefits and Issues:
➊ In Surah Al-Isra, it is stated: (And do not approach unlawful sexual intercourse. Indeed, it is ever an immorality and is evil as a way) (: Bani Isra'il: 32). Do not go near adultery. Indeed, it is an act of indecency and a very evil path.

➋ In the word "tazani" there is an implication of mutual agreement and consent. When this act is proven to be evil and indecent even with consent, then to commit it through force and coercion is even more heinous. For the married person, its prescribed punishment (hadd) is rajm (stoning to death), and for the unmarried person, it is one hundred lashes and exile (banishment) for one year.

(1) At times, an ordinary sin becomes very grave under specific circumstances. For example: mistreating and being disloyal to a benefactor is a bad thing, but being disloyal and disobedient to Allah Ta'ala, Who is the true Benefactor and Bestower, the sole Creator and Provider, is an extremely heinous act.

(2) Unjust killing is a major sin. Imam Shafi'i rahimahullah and many other scholars have declared unjust killing to be the greatest sin after shirk (associating partners with Allah). Indeed, unjust killing is a major sin, and then to kill one's own children merely due to fear of sustenance—this is an extremely grave major sin.

(3) Adultery (zina) in itself is a major sin, but to commit it with a neighbor's wife—who is in a position of utmost honor, respect, and trust—this act reaches the height of heinousness. Similarly, if the sinner is a scholar, the severity of his sin increases manifold. Furthermore, the gravity and abhorrence of a sin also increase depending on the time and place.

Takhrij:
[صحيح بخاري 6861],
[صحيح مسلم 86/142، ترقيم دارالسلام : 258]

Fiqh al-Hadith
➊ «ند نظير» refers to an equal and a partner. See: [فتح الباري 163/8 تحت ح : 4477]
By «انداد», false deities (false objects of worship) besides Allah are meant. [النهايه فى غريب الحديث لابن الاثير ج5 ص35]
It is understood from this that shirk (associating partners with Allah) is the greatest sin.
Allah the Exalted says:
«إِنَّ الشِّرْكَ لَظُلْمٌ عَظِيمٌ»
“Indeed, shirk is a great injustice.” [لقمٰن : 13]
Allah the Exalted says:
«إِنَّ اللَّـهَ لَا يَغْفِرُ أَن يُشْرَكَ بِهِ وَيَغْفِرُ مَا دُونَ ذَلِكَ لِمَن يَشَاءُ»
“Indeed, Allah does not forgive associating partners with Him, but He forgives what is less than that for whom He wills.” [النساء : 116]
Allah the Exalted says:
«إِنَّهُ مَن يُشْرِكْ بِاللَّـهِ فَقَدْ حَرَّمَ اللَّـهُ عَلَيْهِ الْجَنَّةَ وَمَأْوَاهُ النَّارُ»
“Indeed, whoever associates partners with Allah, then Allah has certainly forbidden Paradise for him, and his abode is the Fire.” [المائدة : 72]
Despite these evidences, many people commit shirk and think that they are doing good deeds. On the Day of Resurrection, those who committed shirk will say before Allah:
«وَاللَّـهِ رَبِّنَا مَا كُنَّا مُشْرِكِينَ»
“By Allah, our Lord, we were not among those who associated partners (with You).” [الانعام : 23]
It will be said:
«انْظُرْ كَيْفَ كَذَبُوا عَلَى أَنْفُسِهِمْ وَضَلَّ عَنْهُمْ مَا كَانُوا يَفْتَرُونَ»
“See how they lie against themselves, and what (false deities) they used to invent have forsaken them.” [الانعام : 24]
➋ The killing of an innocent person is a major sin, and especially killing one’s own children due to poverty or so-called honor is an even greater sin, which is mentioned in this hadith immediately after shirk. In the era of ignorance, some ignorant people used to kill their children on the basis of poverty or false honor. In the present era, abortion and family planning are also tantamount to killing children.

Note:
If a person’s wife is ill, or there is fear of her death or severe illness, then according to other evidences, the husband may practice coitus interruptus (azl). For example, see: [صحیح مسلم : 138؍1440 وترقیم دار السلام : 3561]
From some Companions (Sahabah) and Followers (Tabi‘in), its permissibility is established, and from some, its dislike is established. See: [موطأ امام مالک ج2 ص595، مصنف ابن ابی شیبہ ج4 ص217۔ 222] and [السنن الکبریٰ للبیہقی ج7 ص230۔ 231]
Remember that the statement of the Last Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam is:
«تزو جوا الودود الولود فإني مكاثر بكم الأمم»
“Marry loving and fertile women, for I want my ummah to be the most numerous.” [ابوداؤد : 2050 وسنده حسن، اضواءالمصابيح : 3091]
➌ Adultery (zina) is forbidden and a major sin, but committing adultery with a neighbor’s wife is a much greater crime and forbidden.
➍ The Qur’an and Hadith confirm each other, because both are from Allah and are revelation. There is never any contradiction or conflict in revelation.
➎ The Companions (Sahabah) paid great attention to learning knowledge.
➏ Asking questions is not blind following (taqlid). Allah the Exalted says:
«فَاسْأَلُوا أَهْلَ الذِّكْرِ إِن كُنتُمْ لَا تَعْلَمُونَ»
“If you do not know, then ask the people of knowledge (scholars).” [النحل : 43]
A scholar and mufti should answer people with evidence (from the Book, Sunnah, and consensus).

Takhrij:
[بخاري 6861],
[مسلم الايمان 142],
[تحفة الاشراف7/42]

Benefits:
➊ The greatest sin of all sins is associating partners with Allah. It does not befit a human being to associate with his Creator those who have created nothing at all, «فَلَا تَجْعَلُوا لِلَّـهِ أَندَادًا وَأَنتُمْ تَعْلَمُونَ» [2-البقرة:22] “So do not knowingly set up partners with Allah.” This is a challenge to Allah’s jealousy, and it is such a grave sin that, while Allah may forgive other sins if He wills, He will never forgive this one. «إِنَّ اللَّـهَ لَا يَغْفِرُ أَن يُشْرَكَ بِهِ وَيَغْفِرُ مَا دُونَ ذَلِكَ لِمَن يَشَاءُ» [4-النساء:48] “Indeed, Allah does not forgive associating partners with Him, but He forgives whatever is less than that for whom He wills.” And this sin is so great that even if the Prophets were to commit it, all their deeds would be rendered void: «وَلَقَدْ أُوحِيَ إِلَيْكَ وَإِلَى الَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِكَ لَئِنْ أَشْرَكْتَ لَيَحْبَطَنَّ عَمَلُكَ وَلَتَكُونَنَّ مِنَ الْخَاسِرِينَ» [ 39-الزمر:65 ] “And indeed, it has been revealed to you and to those before you: if you associate partners (with Allah), surely your deeds will become worthless and you will surely be among the losers.”

➋ After shirk (associating partners with Allah), the next major sins are unlawful killing and then adultery (zina). Allah the Exalted has said: «وَالَّذِينَ لَا يَدْعُونَ مَعَ اللَّـهِ إِلَـهًا آخَرَ وَلَا يَقْتُلُونَ النَّفْسَ الَّتِي حَرَّمَ اللَّـهُ إِلَّا بِالْحَقِّ وَلَا يَزْنُونَ» [25-الفرقان:68] “And those who do not invoke any other god along with Allah, nor kill the soul which Allah has forbidden except by right, nor commit adultery.” The gravity of unlawful killing increases manifold when a person kills his own child out of fear that the child will share his food, and he does not trust in Allah’s promise. «وَلَا تَقْتُلُوا أَوْلَادَكُمْ خَشْيَةَ إِمْلَاقٍ نَّحْنُ نَرْزُقُهُمْ وَإِيَّاكُمْ» [ 17-الإسراء:31] “Do not kill your children for fear of poverty; We provide for them and for you.” Here, there are three crimes: first, unlawful killing; second, killing one’s own beloved child and severing family ties; third, denying Allah’s promise and having ill thoughts about Him.

➌ Regarding adultery (zina), Allah the Exalted has said: «وَلَا تَقْرَبُوا الزِّنَى إِنَّهُ كَانَ فَاحِشَةً وَسَاءَ سَبِيلًا» [17-الإسراء:32] “And do not go near adultery; indeed, it is an immorality and an evil way.” The gravity of adultery increases greatly when a person commits adultery with his neighbor’s wife, because the right of the neighbor is that he should be treated kindly, and his life, wealth, and honor should be protected. But on the contrary, when a neighbor himself violates the honor of his neighbor, inclines his wife towards himself against her husband, and seeks to destroy his home, then due to the combination of several crimes with adultery, it becomes an even greater sin.

➍ «ان تراني» is from the form “mufa‘alah” (باب مفاعله), which implies mutual participation, meaning that the neighbor’s wife also participates in this sin, and you commit this sin with her consent. There is further gravity in this because when she willingly commits evil with someone else, her loyalty to her husband ends, resulting in the destruction of her home.

➎ «حليلة جارك» The neighbor’s wife is called «حليلة» because she is lawful (halal) for her husband. The purpose is to make you realize that she is lawful for her husband, not for you.

Benefit:
In this hadith, some of the most virtuous deeds have been mentioned. In various hadiths, different deeds have been described as the most virtuous. Among the several reasons for this, one is that the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam gave different answers on different occasions according to the context and the condition of the questioner. In reality, all those deeds are virtuous which have been mentioned in authentic hadiths. In the second part of this hadith, some major sins (kabirah) are also mentioned, such as shirk (associating partners with Allah), unjust killing, and adultery (zina). All three of these sins are the highest forms of oppression (zulm). Shirk is oppression against Allah, Lord of the worlds, while the other two sins (unjust killing and adultery) pertain to the rights of people (huquq al-nas). It is unfortunate that as grave as these major sins are, they are being committed all the more frequently. Shaytan presents major sins as something easy, whereas in reality, they are extremely grave acts, and they destroy a person's life in this world and the Hereafter, ultimately making one deserving of a painful punishment in Hell.