Fatwa ID: 04030
Answered by: Maulana Imran Mughal
I have contacted you in order to confirm the authenticity of a particular Hadith that is circulating on various Anti-Islamic websites. This particular Hadith is used by Christians to malign the status of Prophet Muhammad (Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wa Sallam).
They say that the source of Prophet Muhammad (Sallalahu 'Alayhi Wa Sallam) revelations were the devil (May God forbid). They cite the following Hadith to prove their point:-
Ibn Sa'd related that A'ishah said: "Whenever the Prophet received Inspiration (al-wahy), HIS HEAD WOULD TWITCH, HE WOULD FOAM AT THE SIDES OF HIS MOUTH, he would feel cold in his incisors, and he would break into a sweat until it flowed down like pearls." (Imam Jalal-al-Din 'Abd al-Rahman al-Suyuti, The Perfect Guide to the Sciences of the Qur'an: Al-Itqan fi 'Ulum Al-Qur'an (Great Books of Islamic Civilization), translated by Professor Hamid Algar, Dr. Michael Schub and Mr. Ayman Abdel Haleem, reviewed by Professor Osman S. A. Isma'il al-Bili [Garnet Publishing Limited, UK 2011], Volume 1, p. 104).
They compare this Hadith with the verses of the Bible, which says that foaming at the mouth while receiving divine revelation were signs of demon possession.
They cite Mark 9:14-27 which says,
"When He came to His other disciples, He saw a great crowd around them, and the scribes disputing with them. Immediately when all the people saw Him, they were greatly amazed, and running to Him, greeted Him. He asked the scribes, 'What are you debating with them?' One in the crowd answered, 'Teacher, I brought You my son, who has a mute spirit. Wherever it takes to hold on him, it dashes him to the ground. AND HE FOAMS AT THE MOUTH and gnashes with his teeth and becomes rigid. And I told Your disciples so that they would cast it out, but they could not.' He answered, 'O faithless generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I bear with you? Bring him to me. So they brought the boy to him. When he saw him, immediately the spirit DASHED HIM, AND HE FELL ON THE GROUND AND WALLOWED, FOAMING AT THE MOUTH. He asked his father, 'How long has it been since it came to him?' He said, 'From childhood. Often it has thrown him into the fire and into the water to kill him. But if You can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.' Jesus said, 'If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.' Immediately the father of the child cried out with tears, 'Lord, I believe. Help my unbelief!' When Jesus saw that the people came running together, He rebuked the foul spirit, saying to it, 'You mute and deaf spirit, I command you, come out of him, and enter him no more.' The spirit cried out and convulsed him greatly. But it came out of him, and he was as dead, so that many said, 'He is dead.' But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him up, and he arose."
First of all, I would like to know whether the Hadith is authentic or not. The text (Matn) of the Hadith is very strange. I am not sure whether this is authentic Hadith. Apparently, there are only two narrators in this Hadith. Is it possible to verify the status of this Hadith?
Jazak ALLAH khair
بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمنِ الرَّحِيْم
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
Answer:
This Hadith has been narrated by Ibn Sa’d in his “Tabaqat” from Muhammad bin Umar Al-Waqidi, who narrates from Abd Al-Hamid bin Imran bin Abi Anas who narrates from his father Imran bin Abi Anas.
The issue with this sanad is that the first narrator, Muhammad Bin Umar Al-Waqidi, is a “matruk” narrator despite his overwhelming knowledge.[1]
The second issue is that the Hadith has been mistranslated, the correct translation is as follows:
“When the Prophet (peace be upon him) would receive revelation he would immerse (himself) in his head (can also mean to snore), and his face would change color, he would find cold in his incisors, and he would sweat until it flowed like pearls.”[2]
Only Allah knows best
Written by Maulana Imran Mughal
Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah
Darul Ifta Birmingham
