❀ The Reality of the Story of Hārūt and Mārūt in Light of the Qur’an and Hadith ❀
Derived from: Fatāwā al-Dīn al-Khālis, Vol. 1, p. 129
Please explain the story of Hārūt and Mārūt. Is it authentic or not?
Alḥamdulillāh, and peace and blessings be upon the Messenger of Allah. Amma ba‘d:
Allah ﷻ says in Sūrah al-Baqarah, verse 102:
"وَمَا أُنزِلَ عَلَى الْمَلَكَيْنِ بِبَابِلَ هَارُوتَ وَمَارُوتَ ۚ وَمَا يُعَلِّمَانِ مِنْ أَحَدٍ حَتَّى يَقُولا إِنَّمَا نَحْنُ فِتْنَةٌ فَلَا تَكْفُرْ"
(Al-Baqarah: 102)
Translation:
"And they followed what was [falsely] revealed to the two angels at Babylon — Hārūt and Mārūt. Yet they did not teach anyone until they had said, 'We are only a trial, so do not disbelieve.'"
This verse clearly indicates that Hārūt and Mārūt were not disobedient to Allah. Rather, they were sent as a trial related to the fitnah (temptation) of magic, and they explicitly warned people not to fall into disbelief.
Some commentators have narrated a popular story:
That these two angels descended to Earth as a trial, committed zina (fornication), drank wine, and committed murder, for which they were punished.
✔ It is not established through any authentic, connected chain of narration.
✔ It is traced back to Isrā’īliyyāt (narratives of the People of the Book), and is based on falsehood.
✔ Angels do not disobey Allah, as Allah ﷻ states:
"لَا يَعْصُونَ اللَّهَ مَا أَمَرَهُمْ وَيَفْعَلُونَ مَا يُؤْمَرُونَ"
(Al-Taḥrīm: 6)
Translation:
"They (the angels) do not disobey Allah in what He commands them but do as they are ordered."
The story also contains fabricated elements such as:
– Zuhrah (a star) being lifted to the sky,
– Her involvement in zina, murder, and shirk,
These claims are irrational and baseless.
For academic and authentic investigation, the following references are recommended:
➤ Tafsīr Ibn Kathīr (1/141)
➤ Al-Silsilah al-Ḍaʿīfah (1/204, Ḥadīth 170) by Shaykh al-Albānī
➤ Tafsīr al-Khāzin (1/75)
① The mention of Hārūt and Mārūt is indeed found in the Qur’an.
② However, the famous story associated with them is unfounded, built upon weak and fabricated Isrā’īlī narratives.
③ Angels do not disobey Allah, and the story contradicts this fundamental belief.
④ The Qur’an describes Hārūt and Mārūt as a trial related to the fitnah of magic, and that they warned people not to fall into disbelief.
وَاللهُ أَعْلَمُ بِالصَّوَابِ
Derived from: Fatāwā al-Dīn al-Khālis, Vol. 1, p. 129
❖ Question:
Please explain the story of Hārūt and Mārūt. Is it authentic or not?
❖ Answer:
Alḥamdulillāh, and peace and blessings be upon the Messenger of Allah. Amma ba‘d:
✿ 1. Mention of Hārūt and Mārūt in the Qur’an
Allah ﷻ says in Sūrah al-Baqarah, verse 102:
"وَمَا أُنزِلَ عَلَى الْمَلَكَيْنِ بِبَابِلَ هَارُوتَ وَمَارُوتَ ۚ وَمَا يُعَلِّمَانِ مِنْ أَحَدٍ حَتَّى يَقُولا إِنَّمَا نَحْنُ فِتْنَةٌ فَلَا تَكْفُرْ"
(Al-Baqarah: 102)
Translation:
"And they followed what was [falsely] revealed to the two angels at Babylon — Hārūt and Mārūt. Yet they did not teach anyone until they had said, 'We are only a trial, so do not disbelieve.'"
◈ Clarification:
This verse clearly indicates that Hārūt and Mārūt were not disobedient to Allah. Rather, they were sent as a trial related to the fitnah (temptation) of magic, and they explicitly warned people not to fall into disbelief.
✿ 2. The Reality of the Famous Story Regarding Hārūt and Mārūt
Some commentators have narrated a popular story:
That these two angels descended to Earth as a trial, committed zina (fornication), drank wine, and committed murder, for which they were punished.
◈ This story has been rejected by researchers for the following reasons:
✔ It is not established through any authentic, connected chain of narration.
✔ It is traced back to Isrā’īliyyāt (narratives of the People of the Book), and is based on falsehood.
✔ Angels do not disobey Allah, as Allah ﷻ states:
"لَا يَعْصُونَ اللَّهَ مَا أَمَرَهُمْ وَيَفْعَلُونَ مَا يُؤْمَرُونَ"
(Al-Taḥrīm: 6)
Translation:
"They (the angels) do not disobey Allah in what He commands them but do as they are ordered."
The story also contains fabricated elements such as:
– Zuhrah (a star) being lifted to the sky,
– Her involvement in zina, murder, and shirk,
These claims are irrational and baseless.
✿ 3. Scholarly References for Further Study
For academic and authentic investigation, the following references are recommended:
➤ Tafsīr Ibn Kathīr (1/141)
➤ Al-Silsilah al-Ḍaʿīfah (1/204, Ḥadīth 170) by Shaykh al-Albānī
➤ Tafsīr al-Khāzin (1/75)
❖ Conclusion
① The mention of Hārūt and Mārūt is indeed found in the Qur’an.
② However, the famous story associated with them is unfounded, built upon weak and fabricated Isrā’īlī narratives.
③ Angels do not disobey Allah, and the story contradicts this fundamental belief.
④ The Qur’an describes Hārūt and Mārūt as a trial related to the fitnah of magic, and that they warned people not to fall into disbelief.
وَاللهُ أَعْلَمُ بِالصَّوَابِ
