Question

Is this Hadith authentic?

Sayyiduna Abu Sa’id (radiyallahu ‘anhu) reported that a Bedouin came to Allah’s Messenger (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) and said:

I live in a low land abounding in lizards, and these are the common diet of my family. Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) did not respond. So we told him, ‘Repeat your question [to Nabi sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam] and so he repeated it but he (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) did not respond. (It was repeated thrice ) Then Allah’s Messenger (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) called him out at the third time saying, “O Bedouin, verily Allah cursed or showed wrath to a tribe of the Bani Israil and disfigured them to a creature that crawl on the earth. I do not know, perhaps this (lizard) may be one of them. So I do not eat it, nor do I prohibit the eating of it.

Answer

Imam Muslim (rahimahullah) has recorded this narration. The Hadith is therefore authentic.

(Sahih Muslim, Hadith: 1951)

Note: I have merely answered your question regarding the authenticity of the Hadith. Kindly refer to a reputable Mufti/Darul Ifta for clarification on consuming lizards.

And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.

Answered by: Mawlana Suhail Motala

Approved by: Mawlana Muhammad Abasoomar

Checked by: Mawlana Haroon Abasoomar

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التخريج من المصادر العربية

صحيح مسلم:
(١٩٥١) – حدثني محمد بن حاتم، حدثنا بهز، حدثنا أبو عقيل الدورقي، حدثنا أبو نضرة، عن أبي سعيد، أن أعرابيا أتى رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم، فقال: إني في غائط مضبة، وإنه عامة طعام أهلي؟ قال: فلم يجبه، فقلنا: عاوده، فعاوده، فلم يجبه ثلاثا، ثم ناداه رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم في الثالثة، فقال: «يا أعرابي، إن الله لعن – أو غضب – على سبط من بني إسرائيل فمسخهم دواب، يدبون في الأرض، فلا أدري، لعل هذا منها، فلست آكلها، ولا أنهى عنها».