It is narrated from Sayyiduna Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "One prayer until the next prayer is an expiation (kaffarah) (for the sins) between them, except for three things: associating partners with Allah (shirk), abandoning the Sunnah, and breaking the pledge." The Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) said: We know what associating partners with Allah is, but what is abandoning the Sunnah and breaking the pledge? He (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Abandoning the Sunnah means leaving obedience (to the Muslims' authority), and breaking the pledge is that a man gives his pledge of allegiance (bay'ah) at someone's hand and then (breaking his covenant) goes out against him with a raised sword to fight him."
Imam al-Harith (may Allah have mercy on him) recorded this narration through Dawud bin al-Muhabbar, Hushaym, al-Awwam and Abdullah bin al-Sa'ib.
Hadith Referenceالمطالب العالية بزوائد المسانيد الثمانية / كتاب الخلافة والإمارة / 2142
Hadith Gradingمحدثین:إسناده ضعيف جدًا
Hadith Takhrij«حکم الحدیث المطالب العالیہ محققاً تنسیق د. سعد بن ناصر بن عبد العزيز الشَّثري- مکتبہ شاملہ :إسناده ضعيف جدًا. » «أخرجه المستدرك للحاكم برقم: 411، وأخرجه مسند أحمد برقم: 7250»