Question

Can, you confirm if this Hadith is authentic, or even from our sources?

Once, Shaytan approached Musa (‘alayhis salam) and said to him: “You are the Prophet of Allah while I am one of His sinning and disobedient creations. It is my desire that I repent before Him, so request Him to accept my repentance.’ Musa (‘alayhis salam) agreed and prayed for him, whereupon Allah said: ‘O’ Musa! I shall accept your intercession for him. Tell him to prostrate upon Adam’s grave in order that I accept his repentance.’ Musa (‘alayhis salam) met Shaytan and said: ‘Prostrating upon Adam’s grave shall cause your repentance to be accepted.’ Hearing this, Satan said: ‘I did not prostrate before Adam when he was alive, how can I prostrate upon his grave now that he is dead? I shall never do such a thing!’ Then continuing, he said: ‘O’ Musa! Since you interceded for me before Allah you have obliged me. I shall advise you to be wary of me in three places in order that you do not face damnation and ruin.

First: During anger; for in that state my soul is in your heart and my eyes into yours and I flow in you like your blood flows.

Second: During a battle (jihad); for in that state I cause the soldiers to remember their wives, children and relatives in order that they turn back from the battle and flee away.

Third: Never sit with a non mahram [strange] woman in one place for I shall whisper temptations into both of you.”

Answer

This appears in an Israely (Historical) narration recorded by Imam Abu Bakr Ibn Abid Dunya with a weak chain.

(Makaidush Shaytan, Hadith: 43. Refer: Ithafus Sadah Al Muttaqin, vol. 7, pg. 275. Also see Faydul Qadir, Hadith: 2918)

We have also been cautioned by Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) in many authentic narrations regarding the harms/sin of anger, fleeing from the battlefield and being in seclusion with a strange woman.

And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.

Answered by: Mawlana Suhail Motala

Approved by: Mawlana Muhammad Abasoomar

Checked by: Mawlana Haroon Abasoomar