The Ḥadīth in al-Bukhārī About the Monkey’s Stoning and the Meaning of “Jinn”
(Excerpt: Fatāwā ʿIlmiyyah – Tawḍīḥ al-Aḥkām, Vol. 2, p. 472)
Muhammad Rafiʿ, serving as a “Research Fellow at Idārah Ishrāq, Lahore,” commented on a ḥadīth, saying:
“Even in al-Bukhārī there are incorrect aḥādīth, for example, the ḥadīth where ʿAmr ibn Maymūn says:
‘In the pre-Islamic period I saw a female monkey who had committed fornication. Many monkeys gathered around her, and they stoned her. I too stoned her along with them.’
[al-Bukhārī, no. 3849]
If this narration were to be accepted as authentic, it would mean that humans and animals are equally bound by human sharīʿah — which is not the case.”
Given this statement, is Muhammad Rafiʿ’s objection correct? Is this narration actually incorrect?
Alḥamdulillāh, and may peace and blessings be upon the Messenger of Allah.
Muhammad Rafiʿ’s statement has no basis whatsoever. The narration he objects to is:
For a detailed study, see:
Objecting to a tābiʿī’s personal account of witnessing an incident involving jinn — which is in line with established facts — is baseless and misguided.
Allah knows best.
(Excerpt: Fatāwā ʿIlmiyyah – Tawḍīḥ al-Aḥkām, Vol. 2, p. 472)
Question:
Muhammad Rafiʿ, serving as a “Research Fellow at Idārah Ishrāq, Lahore,” commented on a ḥadīth, saying:
“Even in al-Bukhārī there are incorrect aḥādīth, for example, the ḥadīth where ʿAmr ibn Maymūn says:
‘In the pre-Islamic period I saw a female monkey who had committed fornication. Many monkeys gathered around her, and they stoned her. I too stoned her along with them.’
[al-Bukhārī, no. 3849]
If this narration were to be accepted as authentic, it would mean that humans and animals are equally bound by human sharīʿah — which is not the case.”
Given this statement, is Muhammad Rafiʿ’s objection correct? Is this narration actually incorrect?
Answer:
Alḥamdulillāh, and may peace and blessings be upon the Messenger of Allah.
Muhammad Rafiʿ’s statement has no basis whatsoever. The narration he objects to is:
- Chain status: ḥasan li-dhātih (intrinsically sound)
- Text status: fully correct
For a detailed study, see:
- Mahnāmah al-Ḥadīth, Hazro: Issue 24, p. 20
Nature of the Narration:
- It is not a ḥadīth of the Prophet ﷺ.
- It is not an athar (report) from a Companion.
- It is a statement of a tābiʿī — ʿAmr ibn Maymūn.
Meaning of “Monkeys” in This Context:
- In this report, the “monkeys” are jinn who had taken the form of monkeys.
- Supporting references:
- Fatḥ al-Bārī, Vol. 7, p. 160
- Mahnāmah al-Ḥadīth, Hazro: Issue 24, p. 20
Established Facts About the Jinn:
- Jinn are a mukallaf (legally responsible) creation.
- It is well-proven that jinn can take on various physical forms, including animals.
Conclsion:
Objecting to a tābiʿī’s personal account of witnessing an incident involving jinn — which is in line with established facts — is baseless and misguided.
Allah knows best.
