Question

Is this statement authentically attributed to Sufyan Thawri (rahimahullah):

“If every woman has one Shaytan accompanying her, then a handsome lad has two.”

 

Answer

Hafiz Khatib Baghdadi and Imam Ibnul Jawzi (rahimahumallah) have recorded an incident regarding Bishr Al Hafi (rahimahullah) looking away from [the face of an unbearded] youngster. When he was asked regarding this, he replied, “It has been reported that Sufyan Thawri (rahimahullah) said: ‘A girl is accompanied by one shaytan and a young boy is accompanied by two.'”

(Tarikh Baghdad, vol. 2 pg. 436-437, Talbisu Iblis, pg. 639. Also see: Majmu’ul Fatawa, vol. 11 pg. 545)

 

I have not come across the credibility or lack thereof on some narrators in this chain. However, the Muhaddithun have relaxed the stringent rules in incidents of this nature.

(Refer: Al Jami’u Li Akhlaqir Rawi of Hafiz Khatib Baghdadi, vol. 2 pg. 213 onward. Also see: Al Isnadu Minad Din, pg. 36-37 and footnotes on Ma’alim Irshadiyyah of Shaykh Muhammad ‘Awwamah hafizahullah, pg. 292-293)

 

And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.

 

Answered by: Moulana Suhail Motala

 

Approved by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar

Al Isnadu Minad Din Al Jami' Li AKhlaqir Rawi Khatib Baghdadi Ma'alim Irshadiyyah Majmu'ul Fatawa Moulana Suhail Motala Qawa'id wa Fawaid Shaykh 'Abdul Fattah Abu Ghuddah Shaykh Muhammad 'Awwamah Shaytan Talbis Iblis Tarikh Baghdad Women