Why the Lizard Is Blamed in the Story of Prophet Ibrāhīm (AS)

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from the Book “Ahkām wa Masā’il Kitāb o Sunnat ki Roshni Mein” by Shaykh Mubashar Ahmad Rabbānī

❖ Question:

Is it an authentic ḥadīth that when Ibrāhīm (ʿalayhis-salām) was thrown into the fire, all creatures were trying to extinguish the fire, but the lizard was blowing to fan the flames?

✿ Answer:

Yes, this narration is authentic.

Sayyidah ʿĀ’ishah al-Ṣiddīqah رضي الله عنها narrated that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:

“Indeed, when Ibrāhīm ʿalayhis-salām was thrown into the fire, there was no creature on the earth except that it was trying to extinguish the fire for him — except the lizard, which was blowing to fan the fire upon him.”

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Reference: Musnad Aḥmad: 6/83, 109 | Ḥadīth: 25039, 25289


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Reference: Ṣaḥīḥ Ibn Ḥibbān, Ḥadīth: 5631


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Reference: Silsilat al-Aḥādīth al-Ṣaḥīḥah by al-Albānī, 4/1981

Shaykh Muḥammad Nāṣir al-Dīn al-Albānī رحمه الله has graded this ḥadīth as ṣaḥīḥ (authentic).

❖ Lesson:

This narration establishes that the lizard was an ally of evil during the time of Ibrāhīm ʿalayhis-salām. It intentionally blew air to intensify the flames of the fire prepared to burn a beloved Prophet of Allah.

Due to this evil behavior, it has been reported in other narrations that:

Killing the lizard carries reward, as it is considered a creature of devilish disposition.

✔ Conclusion:

❖ The narration is authentic, affirmed by multiple ḥadīth compilations.
❖ The lizard blew air to increase the fire when Ibrāhīm ʿalayhis-salām was cast into it.
❖ Therefore, its killing is rewarded, due to its evil nature as referenced in other ḥadīths.