Major Sins by Imam Shamsu ed-Deen Dhahabi

AIIah, Most High says; {Those who witness no falsehood and if they pass by futility, they pass by it with honorable (avoidance)} (AI-Furqan: 72)

{And shun the word that is false} (AI-Hajj: 30)

It was narrated that, "Bearing false witness is mentioned twice as equal as associating others with Allah (in the Qur'an)"1

The Prophet (pbuh) said, "On the Day of Judgement, the feet of the person who bore false witness will not stir from their place before their owner is condemned to Hell.”2

The author (may Allah have mercy on him) said that the one who bore false witness has committed many major sins among which is:

(a) lying and false allegation. Allah the Most High says, {Truly Allah guides not one who transgress and lies}.

(Ghafir: 28)

"The believer is created familiar with everything except treachery and lying” 3

(b) He oppressed the one who bore witness against him as he appropriated his property, honor and soul.

(c) He oppressed the one who bore witness for him as he brought unlawful property to him and thus made him entail the Hell-Fire." The Prophet (pbuh) said, "]f I decide in favor of a person who is not entitled to the thing, I do not allow him but a piece of fire”.4

(i.e., the person receiving it will go to Hell.)

(d) He made what Allah forbids of property, blood and honor permissible.

The Prophet (pbuh) said, "Shall I tell you of the worst major sins? Worshipping others with Allah, showing disrespect to parents, giving a false statement and testifying to the truth of a falsehood. " And he kept repeating it until we were telling ourselves (out of sympathy for him because of the strain of repeating it) "]f only he would be silent”.1