Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah

Hazrat Nafi' states that Hazrat Ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with them) said: In the time of Hazrat Abu Bakr and Hazrat Umar, storytelling was not practiced; this began during the time of tribulation.

Hazrat Abu Uthman narrates that a governor of Hazrat Umar bin Khattab wrote a letter to him stating that there are some people here who gather together and pray for the Muslims and the leader. Upon this, Hazrat Umar wrote a reply to him, instructing him to come himself and bring those people with him to his presence. So they came. Hazrat Umar told the doorkeeper: Prepare a whip for me. When those people entered upon Hazrat Umar, he struck their leader with the whip. Upon this, he said: O Commander of the Faithful! Indeed, we are not the people you think we are; these are the people who have come from the direction of the east.

Hazrat Abu Abdur Rahman narrates that Hazrat Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) saw a man who was preaching and giving advice. He asked him, "Do you know about the abrogating and abrogated (verses)?" The man replied, "No." He said, "You have destroyed yourself and you have destroyed others as well."

Hazrat Abdullah bin Khabbab narrates that my father saw me sitting with a storyteller. When I returned, he picked up a stick and said: This is the horn that has risen with the Amalekites.

Ibrahim Taimi says that I was motivated to establish this gathering because I saw in a dream as if I was distributing basil among the people. Then I mentioned this dream before Ibrahim Nakha'i, so he said: Indeed, basil is beautiful in appearance but its taste is bitter.

Hazrat Uqbah bin Harith narrates that a storyteller came and sat in the gathering of Hazrat Ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with them). Hazrat Ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with them) said: Get up from our gathering. But he refused to stand up. Hazrat Ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with them) sent a message to the governor to remove this storyteller. So he sent someone and had him removed.

Hazrat Abu Wa'il narrates that Hazrat Alqama was asked: Why do you not advise and admonish us? He replied: I dislike to command you regarding something which I do not practice myself.

Hazrat Abdullah bin Abi Al-Hazhil says that Hazrat Dhabab saw his son with a storyteller. When he returned after committing this sin, he took a whip and said: Are you with the Amalekites?! Even the horn of Satan has risen!

Hazrat Mujahid narrates that a storyteller came and sat near Hazrat Ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with them). He said to him: "Get up." But he refused to get up. He sent a messenger to the governor. The governor sent a soldier who made him get up.

Hazrat Ibn Sirin narrates that Hazrat Umar received news that a man in Basra was preaching and giving admonition through storytelling. So he wrote a letter to him: Alif Lam Ra, these are the verses of a clear Book. We have revealed the Qur'an in Arabic so that you may understand. We relate to you the best of stories. The narrator says that the man understood and abandoned storytelling.

Ibrahim says that if the one who gives admonition and advice even attains an equal status, then it is a blessing; that is, nothing is in his favor nor against him.

Hazrat Abu Darda, who is a neighbor of Hazrat Salma, narrates that I asked Hazrat Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her): or someone asked you: Can I go to a storyteller so that he may pray for me? She replied: You should pray for yourself; this is better than the storyteller praying for you.

Hazrat Ubaidullah bin Umar narrates that Hazrat Nafi’ said: In the time of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), there was no storyteller, nor in the time of Hazrat Abu Bakr, nor in the time of Hazrat Umar, nor in the time of Hazrat Usman.

Hazrat Jubair bin Katheer Hadhrami narrates that Hazrat Umm al-Darda sent him to Naufal bin Fulan, who was sitting in the mosque with a preacher, giving admonition and advice. She said: Tell both of them to fear Allah. And their admonition and advice to people should be for their own selves.

Hazrat Ubaid bin Hasan narrates that Hazrat Ibn Ma'qil said: A man used to always admonish and advise. Hazrat Ibn Mas'ud said to him: Spread your goods before the one who desires them.