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: Moulana Suhail Motala

 

Approved by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar

 

Checked by: Moulana Haroon Abasoomar