❖ The Scream of Shayṭān and Its True Nature
Compiled by: Dr. Raza Abdullah Pasha ḥafiẓahullāh
❖ Question:
What is meant by the scream (ṣarkhah) of Shayṭān?
❖ Answer:
The scream of Shayṭān refers to the sound of singing and music, which is attributed to him.
It is narrated from Sayyidunā Ibn ʿUmar (RA) that when the son of the Prophet ﷺ, Ibrāhīm, was in the throes of death, he said:
“I also accompanied the Messenger of Allah ﷺ. He took Ibrāhīm into his lap, and tears flowed from his blessed eyes. I said, ‘O Messenger of Allah! You are crying, while you have forbidden us from doing so?’”
The Prophet ﷺ replied:
"لَسْتُ أَنْهَى عَنِ الْبُكَاءِ، إِنَّمَا نَهَيْتُ عَنْ صَوْتَيْنِ أَحْمَقَيْنِ فَاجِرَيْنِ: صَوْتٍ عِنْدَ نَغْمَةٍ: لَعِبٍ وَلَهْوٍ وَمَزَامِيرِ الشَّيْطَانِ، وَصَوْتٍ عِنْدَ مُصِيبَةٍ: خَدْشِ وُجُوهٍ، وَشَقِّ جُيُوبٍ، وَرَنَّةِ الشَّيْطَانِ"
“I do not prohibit weeping. I only prohibit two foolish and sinful sounds: one is the sound associated with joy—such as singing, amusement, and the flutes of Shayṭān; the other is the sound at the time of calamity—such as striking the face, tearing garments, and the scream of Shayṭān.”
[Sunan al-Tirmidhī Ḥadīth 1005, Sunan al-Bayhaqī 4/69, Majmaʿ al-Zawāʾid 3/17, Musnad Abī Dāwūd al-Ṭayālisī Ḥadīth 1683]
❖ Key Insight from This Ḥadīth
This narration clarifies that uttering wailing or lamenting cries during distress or grief is among the screams of Shayṭān. Therefore, we must observe patience and avoid mourning in such a manner, so that we do not resemble Shayṭān in our actions.
