Qur'an, Hadith and Scholars: Remarkable and Strange Islamic Traditions
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The Islamic tradition is truly vast, and covers an impressive number of different topics, often including surprising stories, anecdotes and injunctions. Some of these traditions are truly strange or noteworthy in their own right. Presented in no particular order are hadith, tafsir and fatwa material which do not fit into any other category but which never the less are remarkable in their own way.
Muhammad humiliates Satan the genie by choking him with his bare hands
Water mixed with dead dogs and menstrual clothes still clean
Fever comes from the heat of Hell
Wicked wigs
Allah's Apostle has cursed the lady who uses false hair.
Divinely cooked and delivered pot of meat fixes Prophet's performance problems in bed
One-shoe walks outlawed
Sheep owners are humble while horse and camel owners are arrogant
The prophet divorces a wife for being old
أبو جعفر الطبري, تاريخ الرسل والملوك, vol.3, al-Maktabah al-Shamilah, p. 168, https://app.turath.io/book/9783
Say no to green jars and white jars
Straighten prayer rows to avoid plastic surgery
Curative fly wings in a drink
Holy ride on smelly donkey causes massive shoe fight and Qur'an revelation
Silverware is Sin
Inanimate objects awaken from their slumber
A Stone which steals clothes
A crying tree misses the Prophet's sermons
"La Ilaha Illa Allah," sadomasochistic food glorifies Allah while being eaten
Trees as informers
The Prophet Gives Salutations to a Stone
Wandering curses
Hellfire complains to Allah
Prophet shows how to profit
Abdomen contradicts Allah
One sneeze, two sneeze, three sneeze, four
Allah likes sneezing but hates yawning
Allah hither not thither
Summary: People's livestock were dying because of lack of water. On request, Muhammad prayed to Allah who instantly brought so much rain that that caused livestock to die due to excess of water. Then Muhammad told Allah to rain around them, not on them and the rain stopped.
Fight polytheists by trimming moustache
Allah loves sneezes
3 times Assalaamu ‘alaykum, may I enter?
Assalaamu ‘alaykum, may I enter? ‘Umar said, That was once, then he kept silent for a while. Abu Moosa again said,
Assalaamu ‘alaykum, may I enter? ‘Umar said, That was twice, then he kept silent for a while. Abu Moosa again said,
Assalaamu ‘alaykum, may I enter? ‘Umar said, That was three times. Then Abu Moosa went away. ‘Umar asked the doorkeeper, What happened? The doorkeeper said, He went away. ‘Umar said, bring him back. When he came back, ‘Umar said, What is this that you have done? Abu Moosa said, It is the Sunnah. ‘Umar said: is it? Then he said, I did not know this…
Interpretation of dreams
Allah takes away Prophet's knowledge
Pus better than poetry
Spit on the left for protection against bad dreams
Skin Color Inheritance
Death be upon you, too
The Buttocks of Daus
Where to Sit
Wind As Omen
Could someone please lick my hands? Thank you
Passing Wind
أبو جعفر الطبري, تاريخ الرسل والملوك, vol.1, al-Maktabah al-Shamilah, p. 97, https://app.turath.io/book/9783
Muhammad offered Divine Wine
Allah curses tatooed women
Angel Gabriel said hello
Dye your hair because Jews and Christians don't
Izar dragging causes endless descent
Greeting order
Greeting 3 Times
Poking the Peeping Tom
(1) "Were a man to look at you without permission and you threw a rock at him and knocked out his eye, you would not have committed any offense. "
(2) "Whoever peeps into a house without its people's leave, they may put out his eye."Ahmad ibn Naqib al-Misri, Edited and Translated by Nuh Ha Mim Keller
Allah prefers odd numbers
Overweight Men on Yawm ad-Deen
Allah's Apostle said, "On the Day of Resurrection, a huge fat man will come who will not weigh, the weight of the wing of a mosquito in Allah's Sight." and then the Prophet added, 'We shall not give them any weight on the Day of Resurrection'
A Tree which is 25.5 million miles wide
Allah's Apostle said, "In Paradise there is a tree so big that in its shade a rider may travel for one hundred years without being able to cross it."
Note: Considering the average speed of a galloping horse can be around 30 miles/hour and the Islamic year has 355 days, this means the tree is 25,560,000 miles wide (25.5 million miles). This is about half the distance from the planet Earth to Mars.
Cleaning In-Pure Places
Annoying in-laws
Allah's Apostle said, "Beware of entering upon the ladies." A man from the Ansar said, "Allah's Apostle! What about Al-Hamu the in-laws of the wife (the brothers of her husband or his nephews etc.)?" The Prophet replied: The in-laws of the wife are death itself.
Genies like bones and animal dung
That once he was in the, company of the Prophet carrying a water pot for his ablution and for cleaning his private parts. While he was following him carrying it(i.e. the pot), the Prophet said, "Who is this?" He said, "I am Abu Huraira." The Prophet said, "Bring me stones in order to clean my private parts, and do not bring any bones or animal dung." Abu Huraira went on narrating: So I brought some stones, carrying them in the corner of my robe till I put them by his side and went away.
When he finished, I walked with him and asked, "What about the bone and the animal dung?" He said, "They are of the food of Jinns. The delegate of Jinns of (the city of) Nasibin came to me--and how nice those Jinns were--and asked me for the remains of the human food. I invoked Allah for them that they would never pass by a bone or animal dung but find food on them."Covering Up
We were at a place which was a thoroughfare for the people, and the caravans used to pass by us and we would ask them, "What is wrong with the people? What is wrong with the people? Who is that man?. They would say, "That man claims that Allah has sent him (as an Apostle), that he has been divinely inspired, that Allah has revealed to him such-and-such." I used to memorize that (Divine) Talk, and feel as if it was inculcated in my chest (i.e. mind) And the 'Arabs (other than Quraish) delayed their conversion to Islam till the Conquest (of Mecca).
They used to say." "Leave him (i.e. Muhammad) and his people Quraish: if he overpowers them then he is a true Prophet. So, when Mecca was conquered, then every tribe rushed to embrace Islam, and my father hurried to embrace Islam before (the other members of) my tribe. When my father returned (from the Prophet) to his tribe, he said, "By Allah, I have come to you from the Prophet for sure!" The Prophet afterwards said to them, 'Offer such-and-such prayer at such-and-such time, and when the time for the prayer becomes due, then one of you should pronounce the Adhan (for the prayer), and let the one amongst you who knows Qur'an most should, lead the prayer."
So they looked for such a person and found none who knew more Qur'an than I because of the Quranic material which I used to learn from the caravans. They therefore made me their Imam ((to lead the prayer) and at that time I was a boy of six or seven years, wearing a Burda (i.e. a black square garment) proved to be very short for me (and my body became partly naked). A lady from the tribe said, "Won't you cover the anus of your reciter for us?" So they bought (a piece of cloth) and made a shirt for me. I had never been so happy with anything before as I was with that shirt.The people used to offer the prayer with the Prophet with their waist-sheets tied round their necks because of the shortness of the sheets and the women were ordered not to lift their heads till the men had sat straight.
Devils Chained
Allah's Revelation About the Ants
Prostitutes can stay out of Hell by helping a thirsty dog
More Women than Men in the Future
Looking at genitals or talking during intercourse may cause disabilities for child
Say "Allah willing" during intercourse to give birth to Mujahids
Dirty teeth can invalidate a fast
the fast...
Ibn Qudaamah (may Allaah have mercy on him) said in al-Mughni, 3/260:
If a person has food between his teeth, one of the following two scenarios must apply:
1 – It is a small amount that he cannot spit out, so he swallows it. This does not invalidate his fast, because it cannot be avoided. It is like saliva. Ibn al-Mundhir said: The scholars are unanimously agreed on that.
2 – It is a large amount and he can spit it out. If he spits it out there is no sin on him, but if he swallows it deliberately, his fast is invalidated according to the majority of scholars, because he has swallowed food that he could have spat out willingly when he is mindful of his fast. So this breaks the fast just as if he deliberately started eating. End quote."This Muhammad of yours is a dwarf and fat"
AbdusSalam ibn AbuHazim AbuTalut said: I saw AbuBarzah who came to visit Ubaydullah ibn Ziyad. Then a man named Muslim who was there in the company mentioned it to me.
When Ubaydullah saw him, he said: This Muhammad of yours is a dwarf and fat. The old man (i.e. AbuBarzah) understood it.
So he said: I did not think that I should remain among people who would make me feel ashamed of the company of Muhammad (peace be upon him).
Thereupon Ubaydullah said: The company of Muhammad (peace be upon him) is a honour for you, not a disgrace. He added: I called for you to ask about the reservoir. Did you hear the Apostle of Allah (peace be upon him) mentioning anything about it? AbuBarzah said: Yes, not once, twice, thrice, four times or five times. If anyone believes it, may Allah not supply him with water from it. He then went away angrily.The fact that the old man AbuBarzah 'understood it' implies that Ubaydullah's description of Muhammad as a fat dwarf was accurate.
Watermelons and cucumbers
"If a woman does not have a husband, and her lust becomes strong, then some of our scholars say: It is permissible for the woman to take an akranbij, which is a piece of leather worked until it becomes shaped like a penis, and insert it in herself. She may also use a cucumber".
A Muslim Shia website notes: "Maybe this is another reason why 'Umar the Khalifa never went on jihad: somebody had to stay behind and organize the cucumber distribution."
Exposing oneself to the Lord
The Prophet had forbidden: (A) the Mulamasa and Munabadha (bargains), (B) the offering of two prayers, one after the morning compulsory prayer till the sun rises, and the others, after the 'Asr prayer till the sun sets (C) He also forbade that one should sit wearing one garment, nothing of which covers his private parts (D) and prevent them from exposure to the sky; (E) he also forbade Ishtimal-as-Samma'.
Doodling is a sin
Whatever is images of animate beings such as insects and other living beings is not permissible, even if it is drawn on a blackboard or on paper, and even if the purpose of it is to help in teaching, because it is not essential and because of the general meaning of the evidence concerning that. (Fataawa al-Lajnah al-Daa’imah, 1/685)
What is prohibited is making images of animate beings, whether that is engraving or painting on walls or fabric or paper or woven cloth, and whether it is done with a feather or a pen or other equipment, whether the thing is drawn as it is or whether some imaginary element is introduced, so it is made smaller or larger or more beautiful or more ugly, or it is drawn as a stick figure. (Fataawa al-Lajnah al-Daa’imah, 1/696)
Shaykh Muhammad ibn Ibraaheem (may Allah have mercy on him) said:
One of the most serious of evils is making images of animate beings and keeping them and using them. There is no difference between that which is three dimensional and that which is on paper, whether it is produced by machines or otherwise. This meaning was mentioned by al-Nawawi in Sharh Saheeh Muslim, and he mentioned that it is the view of the four imams. The hadeeths which emphatically warned against that are well known. (Fataawa Rasaa’il Muhammad ibn Ibraaheem, 13/173)
Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen said:
Making images of animate beings, whether they are human or otherwise, is undoubtedly haraam and is a major sin, because it is proven that the one who does that is cursed by the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him). This is clear, whether they are three-dimensional or drawn by hand. (Majmoo’ Fataawa wa Rasaa’il Ibn ‘Uthaymeen 2/288)Animals and living things
Muttaqi (God-fearing) monkeys
See a video of a cleric talking about this event here.
All the monkeys gathered thereafter. He would point towards her and scream constantly (i.e. she has committed adultery). At last the other monkeys went towards the right left and brought along that young monkey whom I recognized. They dug a hole for this young monkey and the female one and stoned them to death. So I saw monkeys stoning to death too besides the human race.
This is consistent with the Qur'an in its claim that Jews (who at one time practiced stoning) were turned into apes:
Unpaid debt to turn into talking snake on Judgement Day
Monkeys and pigs are humans who once played music
Sheep Sacrifices for Babies
Camel Urine as Medicine
ٍSheep ate the Qur'an
Holy cocks and devil donkeys
The speaking cow
Feeding and giving water to horses in Jihad as well as their dung and urine will be rewarded
Lost camels can be returned to their owners but not sheep
A man asked the Prophet about the picking up of a "Luqata" (fallen lost thing). The Prophet replied, "Recognize and remember its tying material and its container, and make public announcement (about it) for one year, then utilize it but give it to its owner if he comes." Then the person asked about the lost camel. On that, the Prophet got angry and his cheeks or his Face became red and he said, "You have no concern with it as it has its water container, and its feet and it will reach water, and eat (the leaves) of trees till its owner finds it." The man then asked about the lost sheep. The Prophet replied, "It is either for you, for your brother (another person) or for the wolf."
A house may be set on fire by a mouse
Israelites turned into rats
Ethiopians Heads are like Raisins
In a dream, Satan cannot imitate the Prophet
Don't be late, the angels are watching
Allah wants to see you...naked
People are just like camels
Flag fixed behind the buttocks
Satanic influences
Satan ties three knots at back of our head while we sleep
Satan urinated in the prophet's ears
The devil sleeps in the nose
Satan tries to interrupt Muhammad
Satan Touches People at Birth
Yawning is From Satan
Man talks to Satan for 3 nights and Satan steals his food
Allah's Apostle deputed me to keep Sadaqat (al-Fitr) of Ramadan. A comer came and started taking handfuls of the foodstuff (of the Sadaqa) (stealthily). I took hold of him and said, "By Allah, I will take you to Allah's Apostle ." He said, "I am needy and have many dependents, and I am in great need." I released him, and in the morning Allah's Apostle asked me, "What did your prisoner do yesterday?" I said, "O Allah's Apostle! The person complained of being needy and of having many dependents, so, I pitied him and let him go." Allah's Apostle said, "Indeed, he told you a lie and he will be coming again." I believed that he would show up again as Allah's Apostle had told me that he would return. So, I waited for him watchfully. When he (showed up and) started stealing handfuls of foodstuff, I caught hold of him again and said, "I will definitely take you to Allah's Apostle. He said, "Leave me, for I am very needy and have many dependents. I promise I will not come back again." I pitied him and let him go.
In the morning Allah's Apostle asked me, "What did your prisoner do." I replied, "O Allah's Apostle! He complained of his great need and of too many dependents, so I took pity on him and set him free." Allah's Apostle said, "Verily, he told you a lie and he will return." I waited for him attentively for the third time, and when he (came and) started stealing handfuls of the foodstuff, I caught hold of him and said, "I will surely take you to Allah's Apostle as it is the third time you promise not to return, yet you break your promise and come." He said, "(Forgive me and) I will teach you some words with which Allah will benefit you." I asked, "What are they?" He replied, "Whenever you go to bed, recite "Ayat-al-Kursi"-- 'Allahu la ilaha illa huwa-l-Haiy-ul Qaiyum' till you finish the whole verse. (If you do so), Allah will appoint a guard for you who will stay with you and no satan will come near you till morning. " So, I released him. In the morning, Allah's Apostle asked, "What did your prisoner do yesterday?" I replied, "He claimed that he would teach me some words by which Allah will benefit me, so I let him go." Allah's Apostle asked, "What are they?" I replied, "He said to me, 'Whenever you go to bed, recite Ayat-al-Kursi from the beginning to the end ---- Allahu la ilaha illa huwa-lHaiy-ul-Qaiyum----.' He further said to me, '(If you do so), Allah will appoint a guard for you who will stay with you, and no satan will come near you till morning.' (Abu Huraira or another sub-narrator) added that they (the companions) were very keen to do good deeds. The Prophet said, "He really spoke the truth, although he is an absolute liar. Do you know whom you were talking to, these three nights, O Abu Huraira?" Abu Huraira said, "No." He said, "It was Satan."Satan farts to the sound of the Adhan
Babies cry at birth because Satan touches them
Eat with the right hand because Satan eats with the left
Islamic Heaven: Heavenly Genitals
Muhammad Falls from His Camel
Safiyah bint Huyay was a woman that Muhammad captured and married, after killing her husband.
Tortured in the grave for soiling himself
Where to Face While Releaving Oneself
Black dogs are devils
Playing chess is evil
Muhammad's Mother Aminah Has Her Vulva Illuminated
According to accepted Sira, Muhammad's mother had light coming out of her vagina when giving birth to him.
Saved from Hellfire for Manumission
Raising the head during communal prayer
The sin of raising your head before the imam is so great, your face will transform into a donkey.
Amr ibn al''As Pees as a Woman
Do Not Drink Water while Standing
The Prophet Loves Perfume and Women
Looking up during prayer may cause blindness
Perpetual suicide
Note: What if the poison is delicious?
Masturbation leads to a pregnant hand and too much sex leads to death
. . .
Just as it is unlawful and forbidden to commit sexual intercourse with a strange man or woman, it is likewise forbidden to masturbate.
Unfortunately, this sin has become widespread in this day and age. In some narrations of Hadith there are severe warnings against this sin. It has been mentioned that the person who masturbates shall be resurrected on the Day of Judgment with a pregnant hand. It has also been mentioned that the ناکح الید (the one who masturbates) is under the curse of Allah. Fulfilling one's sexual desires in an unlawful manner is obviously impermissible. But one should also be cautious of excessive permissible sex. Too much sexual intercourse spoils the health and drains one's strength.
Spiritually, one does not get enjoyment in worship and Zikr. If also causes the child to be born weak and frail. It is for this very reason that the Buzurgs have advised to preserve the semen. After 15 to 30 days when there is a strong urge to have sex, only then should one fulfill one's desire. The lion copulates once a year and from that it breeds offspring.
Similarly, those people who have intercourse after long intervals of time produce strong and healthy children. Therefore, moderation is necessary in sexual relations with one's wife, otherwise excessive sex can even lead to death. My Shaikh, Hazrat Phoulpoori (رحمۃ اللہ علیہ) narrated to us the incident of an Alim who had a very beautiful wife. Whenever he would come home from running errands and would see his wife, then he would not be able to control himself. He used have so much sexual relations that after six months, instead of discharging semen, blood started to ejaculate from his penis. This eventually led to a severe fever after which he died. Beauty was the cause of his death. This is why I advise to have moderation in permissible things as well. As for the unlawful, then my advice is not to even go near Haraam. May Allah Ta'ala grant us the ability to practice upon what has been said. AmenShaikh ul Arab wal Ajam Hazrat Maulana Shah Hakeem Muhammad Akhtar Saheb
Muhammad Did Not Like Others Copying His Fashion
Believers will enter paradise even if they have had illegal sexual intercourse or committed theft
Prophet's sweat used as perfume
Refusing to die, Moses slaps Angel of Death and damages his eye
Eat food and lick your fingers clean to starve the devil
Muslim women gossip about their husbands
Allah uses eclipses to frighten true muslims
Milk and Killing Children
Shia Hadith
Adultery causes sudden deaths and the earth punishes tax evaders
Using the bathroom, smelling sweet things, and wearing soft clothing causes one to gain weight
Famous Hadith Narrator accompanies Prophet for Food
Abu Hurairah was one of the most famous hadith narrators. In this hadith, he admits that the only reason he followed Muhammad around so much (and hence knew a lot of narrations) was because he was poor, and that if he followed Muhammad he would always be assured of a free meal:
External Links
- The List: The World's Stupidest Fatwas - Foreign Policy, July 2007