Question

What is the reference for this Hadith?

“The one who speaks obscene vile talk and the one who hears it are equal in the sin.”

 

Answer

Imam Abu Ya’la (rahimahullah) has recorded this narration as the statement of Sayyiduna ‘Ali (radiyallahu ‘anhu).

Sayyiduna ‘Ali (radiyallahu ‘anhu) said: “The one who engages in vile obscene talk and the one who listens to it [without objecting] are equal in sin.”

(Musnad Abi Ya’la, Hadith: 553)

 

‘Allamah Haythami (rahimahullah) has declared the narrators reliable.

(رواه أبو يعلى، ورجاله رجال الصحيح غير حسان بن كريب وهو ثقة)

(Majma’uz Zawaid, vol. 8 pg. 91)

 

Imam Bukhari (rahimahullah) has recorded a slightly different version in Al Adabul Mufrad. This version is as follows:

Sayyiduna ‘Ali ibn Abi Talib (radiyallahu ‘anhu) said: “The one who engages in vile obscene talk and the one who spreads and publicises it are equal in sin.”

(Al Adabul Mufrad, Hadith: 324)

 

And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.

 

Answered by: Moulana Suhail Motala

 

Approved by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar