What does « Perjury / Sin » mean in the Quran?

Discover the meaning of the word Perjury / Sin (حنث) in the Quran, with 2 verses in which it appears, and a detailed explanation from Al-Raghib al-Asfahani's Mufradat fi gharib al-Qur'an.

حنث

Perjury / Sin

Root: ح - ن - ث

Creed (aqida) 2 verses

Updated on 29 May 2026 at 7:00 AM

📖 1 min read

Definition of Perjury / Sin

Allah says: 'They used to persist in the great sin (al-hinth al-'azîm)' (Al-Wâqi'a: 46).

Al-hinth: major sin, perjury.

The major sin mentioned is shirk (associationism) or swearing not to believe in resurrection.

Perjury / Sin in the Quran (2)

Meccan: 2 Medinan: 0

Distribution of verses by surah

Sad 1

Al-Waqi'a 1

Surah Sad : 44 Meccan

﴿وَخُذْ بِيَدِكَ ضِغْثًا فَٱضْرِب بِّهِۦ وَلَا تَحْنَثْ إِنَّا وَجَدْنَٰهُ صَابِرًا نِّعْمَ ٱلْعَبْدُ إِنَّهُۥٓ أَوَّابٌ﴾

[We said], "And take in your hand a bunch [of grass] and strike with it and do not break your oath." Indeed, We found him patient, an excellent servant. Indeed, he was one repeatedly turning back [to Allah].

Surah Al-Waqi'a : 46 Meccan

﴿وَكَانُوا۟ يُصِرُّونَ عَلَى ٱلْحِنثِ ٱلْعَظِيمِ﴾

And they used to persist in the great violation,