Is this hadith authentic?

This hadith is graded Sahih. Sahih hadiths are considered the most authentic grade in hadith classification.

Which collection is this hadith from?

This hadith is from Sahih al-Bukhari, which contains 7,277 hadiths across 97 books. It is hadith number 3162 in the Book of Beginning of Creation.

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#3161

#3162

Sahih al-Bukhari

#3163

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Sahih al-Bukhari #3162

Q: What is Sahih al-Bukhari 3162 about?

This hadith from Sahih al-Bukhari (Book of Beginning of Creation), narrated by Narrated Ibn `Umar:, states: "That he heard the Prophet (ﷺ) delivering a sermon on the pulpit saying, "Kill snakes and kill Dhu-at- Tufyatain (i.e. a snake with two white lines on its back) and Al-Abtar (i.e. a snake with short o…"

Beginning of Creation

Sahih

The Arabic includes the chain of narration (sanad) and the collector's commentary; the English translation shows the Prophet's words only.

حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ، حَدَّثَنَا هِشَامُ بْنُ يُوسُفَ، حَدَّثَنَا مَعْمَرٌ، عَنِ الزُّهْرِيِّ، عَنْ سَالِمٍ، عَنِ ابْنِ عُمَرَ ـ رضى الله عنهما ـ أَنَّهُ سَمِعَ النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَخْطُبُ عَلَى الْمِنْبَرِ يَقُولُ ‏ "‏ اقْتُلُوا الْحَيَّاتِ، وَاقْتُلُوا ذَا الطُّفْيَتَيْنِ وَالأَبْتَرَ، فَإِنَّهُمَا يَطْمِسَانِ الْبَصَرَ، وَيَسْتَسْقِطَانِ الْحَبَلَ ‏"‏‏.‏ قَالَ عَبْدُ اللَّهِ فَبَيْنَا أَنَا أُطَارِدُ، حَيَّةً لأَقْتُلَهَا فَنَادَانِي أَبُو لُبَابَةَ لاَ تَقْتُلْهَا‏.‏ فَقُلْتُ إِنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَدْ أَمَرَ بِقَتْلِ الْحَيَّاتِ‏.‏ قَالَ إِنَّهُ نَهَى بَعْدَ ذَلِكَ عَنْ ذَوَاتِ الْبُيُوتِ، وَهْىَ الْعَوَامِرُ‏.‏

That he heard the Prophet (ﷺ) delivering a sermon on the pulpit saying, "Kill snakes and kill Dhu-at- Tufyatain (i.e. a snake with two white lines on its back) and Al-Abtar (i.e. a snake with short or mutilated tail) for they destroy the sight of one's eyes and bring about abortion." (`Abdullah bin `Umar further added): Once while I was chasing a snake in order, to kill it, Abu Lubaba called me saying: "Don't kill it," I said. "Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) ordered us to kill snakes." He said, "But later on he prohibited the killing of snakes living in the houses." (Az-Zuhri said. "Such snakes are called Al-Awamir.")

Narrated by Narrated Ibn `Umar:

Context

The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) instructed his followers to kill certain types of snakes, specifically those that could harm people. Ibn `Umar recounts an incident where he was about to kill a snake but was stopped by Abu Lubabah, who reminded him that the Prophet (ﷺ) later prohibited killing snakes that dwell in homes. This highlights the evolving nature of guidance based on circumstances.

Modern Application

In contemporary life, this hadith serves as a reminder to balance immediate reactions with thoughtful consideration of the consequences. It encourages individuals to assess situations carefully, especially when dealing with potentially harmful entities in their environment.

Topics

This hadith is tagged with Ethics of Interaction and Prophetic Command because it reflects the Prophet's (ﷺ) guidance on how to interact with dangerous creatures while also adapting to changing circumstances.

Ethics of Interaction Prophetic Command

Related Ayahs

سُورَةُ النَّمۡلِ

An-Naml (The Ant)

بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

1 ayah

وَأَلْقِ عَصَاكَ ۚ فَلَمَّا رَءَاهَا تَهْتَزُّ كَأَنَّهَا جَآنٌّۭ وَلَّىٰ مُدْبِرًۭا وَلَمْ يُعَقِّبْ ۚ يَٰمُوسَىٰ لَا تَخَفْ إِنِّى لَا يَخَافُ لَدَىَّ ٱلْمُرْسَلُونَ

And [he was told], "Throw down your staff." But when he saw it writhing as if it were a snake, he turned in flight and did not return. [Allah said], "O Moses, fear not. Indeed, in My presence the messengers do not fear.

سُورَةُ القَصَصِ

Al-Qasas (The Stories)

بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

1 ayah

وَأَنْ أَلْقِ عَصَاكَ ۖ فَلَمَّا رَءَاهَا تَهْتَزُّ كَأَنَّهَا جَآنٌّۭ وَلَّىٰ مُدْبِرًۭا وَلَمْ يُعَقِّبْ ۚ يَٰمُوسَىٰٓ أَقْبِلْ وَلَا تَخَفْ ۖ إِنَّكَ مِنَ ٱلْءَامِنِينَ

And [he was told], "Throw down your staff." But when he saw it writhing as if it was a snake, he turned in flight and did not return. [Allah said], "O Moses, approach and fear not. Indeed, you are of the secure.

سُورَةُ طه

Taa-Haa (Taa-Haa)

بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

2 ayahs

قَالَ بَلْ أَلْقُوا۟ ۖ فَإِذَا حِبَالُهُمْ وَعِصِيُّهُمْ يُخَيَّلُ إِلَيْهِ مِن سِحْرِهِمْ أَنَّهَا تَسْعَىٰ

He said, "Rather, you throw." And suddenly their ropes and staffs seemed to him from their magic that they were moving [like snakes].

فَأَلْقَىٰهَا فَإِذَا هِىَ حَيَّةٌۭ تَسْعَىٰ

So he threw it down, and thereupon it was a snake, moving swiftly.

سُورَةُ الشَّمۡسِ

Ash-Shams (The Sun)

بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

1 ayah

فَقَالَ لَهُمْ رَسُولُ ٱللَّهِ نَاقَةَ ٱللَّهِ وَسُقْيَٰهَا

And the messenger of Allah [Salih] said to them, "[Do not harm] the she-camel of Allah or [prevent her from] her drink."

Common Words

62 total45 unique17 repeated

عصاك2x

فلما2x

رءاها2x

تهتز2x

كأنها2x

جان2x

ولى2x

مدبرا2x

ولم2x

يعقب2x

يموسى2x

لا2x

تخف2x

من2x

فإذا2x

تسعى2x

ٱلله2x

وألق1x

إنى1x

يخاف1x

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About Sahih al-Bukhari

This hadith is #3162 from Sahih al-Bukhari, in the Book of Beginning of Creation. It is graded Sahih and narrated by Narrated Ibn `Umar:.

Browse all Sahih al-Bukhari All Hadith Collections

Sahih al-Bukhari #3162

Context

Modern Application

Topics

Related Ayahs

Common Words

Related Hadiths

About Sahih al-Bukhari

About This Hadith