The Prophet said: "When Allah decrees a matter in heaven, the angels beat their wings in submission to his decree (with a sound) like a chain beating a rock. Then "When fear is banished from their hearts, they say: 'What is it that your Lord has said?' They say: 'The truth. And He is The Most High, The Most Great." He said: 'Then the eavesdroppers (from among the jinn) listen out for that, one above the other, so (one of them) hears the words and passes it on to the one beneath him. The Shihab (shooting star) may strike him before he can pass it on to the one beneath him and the latter can pass it on to the soothsayer or sorcerer, or it may not strike him until he has passed it on. And he ads one hundred lies to it, and only that word which was overheard from the heavens is true."
Narrated by It was narrated from Abu Hurairah that:
Context
In this hadith, the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ describes the process by which angels receive divine decrees from Allah. When a matter is decreed, the angels express their submission, and once they are reassured, they relay the truth to eavesdropping jinn. However, these jinn often distort the message by adding numerous lies, which highlights the importance of discerning truth from falsehood.
Modern Application
In today's world, this hadith reminds us to be cautious about the information we receive and share. It encourages critical thinking and verification of sources, especially in an age where misinformation can spread rapidly.
Topics
This hadith is tagged with Warning and Divine Revelation because it warns against the dangers of misinformation and emphasizes the significance of authentic divine messages.
He sends down the angels, with the inspiration of His command, upon whom He wills of His servants, [telling them], "Warn that there is no deity except Me; so fear Me."
Do they await but that Allah should come to them in covers of clouds and the angels [as well] and the matter is [then] decided? And to Allah [all] matters are returned.
For each one are successive [angels] before and behind him who protect him by the decree of Allah. Indeed, Allah will not change the condition of a people until they change what is in themselves. And when Allah intends for a people ill, there is no repelling it. And there is not for them besides Him any patron.
And it is not for any human being that Allah should speak to him except by revelation or from behind a partition or that He sends a messenger to reveal, by His permission, what He wills. Indeed, He is Most High and Wise.
This hadith is #4273 from Sunan Ibn Majah, in the Book of The Book of the Sunnah. It is graded Sahih and narrated by It was narrated from Abu Hurairah that:.
