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)
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.
