This excerpt is taken from the book of Fazilat-ul-Sheikh Abdul Salam Rustami From Denial of Hadith to Denial of Quran.
Hadith 6: Regarding Striking the Chameleon
The Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) commanded to strike the chameleon and said: "It used to blow on the fire that was kindled to burn Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him) to make it stronger."
Reference: Sahih al-Bukhari, The Prophets, Chapter: Allah's Saying: And Allah took Ibrahim as a friend, Hadith: 3359
Answer:
Answer: The main reason for killing it is that it is harmful, and wherever a harmful animal is found, it is commanded to be killed so that people can be protected from its harm. Blowing on the fire of Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him) is a specific example of its harmfulness. Its way of causing harm is that it spits from a distance with its long tongue. The saliva in its mouth is poisonous, which is why insects and other small creatures become its food. It has four distinctive characteristics that are not found in other animals:
➊ It can immediately change its color according to the environment. There is a famous proverb that a certain person changes color like a chameleon.
➋ Its eyes are hidden in bumps with small holes through which it sees.
➌ It can see all around, as well as up and down.
➍ Even if the rear part of its body is cut off, it remains active and alive for a long time; it is possible that its poisonous saliva can even intensify the flames of fire.
Reference: Taken from the book Fitna-e-Parvezism
