What your Lord has prohibited you from

Allah the Exalted says in the Quran:

“Say (O Muhammad (sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam)): “Come, I will recite what your Lord has prohibited you from: Join not anything in worship with Him; be good and dutiful to your parents; kill not your children because of poverty – We provide sustenance for you and for them; come not near to Al-Fawahish (shameful sins, illegal sexual intercourse, etc.) whether committed openly or secretly, and kill not anyone whom Allah has forbidden, except for a just cause (according to Islamic law). This He has commanded you that you may understand. And come not near to the orphan’s property, except to improve it, until he (or she) attains the age of full strength; and give full measure and full weight with justice. We burden not any person, but that which he can bear. And whenever you give your word (i.e. judge between men or give evidence, etc.), say the truth even if a near relative is concerned, and fulfill the Covenant of Allah, This He commands you, that you may remember. And verily, this (i.e. Allah’s Commandments mentioned in the above two Verses 151 and 152) is My Straight Path, so follow it, and follow not (other) paths, for they will separate you away from His Path. This He has ordained for you that you may become Al-Muttaqun (the pious).”” [Quran, 6:151-153]

‘Abdullaah Ibn Mas’ood said: ‘Whoever wishes to see the advice of Muhammad (sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam) which has his seal upon it, then let him read the Statement of Allah the Exalted: “Say: Come, I will recite what your Lord has prohibited you from: Join not anything in worship with Him;” [To His Statement:] “And verily this is My Straight Path,” [Sooratul Al-An’am, 6:151-153]’ [It’s isnad is is good, Tirmidhee (no. 3072). Muhammad Afeefee confirmed it in his checking of Kitaabut-Tawheed of Shaykhul Islaam Muhammad Ibn Abdul Wahhaab.]

Shaykh ‘Abdur-Rahmaan Ibn Hasan Aal Ash-Shaykh said: This narration was narrated by Tirmidhee who declared it good, and Ibn Mundthir, and Ibn Abee Haatim, and at-Tabaraanee, and their like.

Some of them said: It’s meaning is: Whoever wishes to see the advice which is as if it was written and sealed, and then it was not modified and it was not changed, then let him read: “Say: Come,…” [- to the end of the aayah.]

It is like the book, which was written, then sealed, then it was not added to, and it did not have anything deleted from it. For verily the Messenger of Allah (sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam) did not advise except with the Book of Allah, as he said in that which is related by Muslim: “And verily I have left with you that which if you cling firmly to it, you shall not be misguided: the Book of Allah…”

And indeed it is reported from ‘Ubaadah Ibnus Saamit that ‘the Messenger of Allah (sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam) said: “Which one of you wants to buy from me these three aayaat?” Then he read His Statement: “Say: Come, I will recite what your Lord has prohibited you from…” until he was exhausted from these three ayahs.’

Then he said: “And whoever completes these, then his reward is with Allah, and whoever has something incomplete from this, then Allah knows about it in this world, and he will be punished. And whoever is after him until the Hereafter, his affair is with Allah. If He wishes, He will take him, and if He wishes, He will forgive him.”

It is related by Ibn Abee Haatim, and authenticated by al-Haakim, and Muhammad Ibn Nasr in Al-I’itsaam.

I say: ‘because the Prophet (sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam) did not advise his Ummah except with what Allah the Exalted advised them, upon his tongue, and in the Book which He revealed. “And We have sent down to you the Book (the Quran) as an exposition of everything, a guidance, a mercy, and glad tidings for those who have submitted themselves (to Allah as Muslims).” [Sooratun-Nahl 16:89]

And these ayahs are the advice of Allah the Exalted and His Messenger (sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam). [Fathul Majeed (1/23)]