Question

What is the authenticity of this narration?

Ibn ‘Abbas (radiyallahu ‘anhuma) where he said: “The first creature that apply the concept of qiyas [logic] is Iblis, then he made a mistake in his qiyas. Thus, whoever applies his logic in religious matters [only depending on logic] Allah Ta’ala will make him be with Iblis.”

 

Answer

This narration of Sayyiduna ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Abbas (radiyallahu ‘anhuma) has been cited in a few Tafsir books. I have not come across the complete chain and could therefore not verify the authenticity.

(Tafsir Baghawi, Surah: Al A’araf, Verse: 11-12, vol. 2 pg. 92)

 

The first part of the narration, “The first person to apply the concept of logic [qiyas] was Iblis” has been recorded as the statement of Muhammad ibn Sirin and Hasan al Basri (rahimahumallah).

(Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah, Hadith: 36956 and Sunan Darimi, Hadith: 195-196)

 

And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.

 

Answered by: Moulana Suhail Motala

 

Approved by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar