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The Story of Harut and Marut in Quran

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Question 131: Can someone elaborate on verse 102 of al-Baqarah about The Story of Harut and Marut in Quran? And they followed [instead] what the devils had recited during the reign of Solomon. It was not Solomon who disbelieved, but the devils disbelieved, teaching people magic and that which was revealed to the two angels at Babylon, Harut and Marut. But the two angels do not teach anyone unless they say, “We are a trial, so do not disbelieve [by practicing magic].” And [yet] they learn from them that by which they cause separation between a man and his wife. But they do not harm anyone through it except by permission of Allah. And the people learn what harms them and does not benefit them. But the Children of Israel certainly knew that whoever purchased the magic would not have in the Hereafter any share. And wretched is that for which they sold themselves, if they only knew.

Answer 131: The creatures that you referred to in your question are named jinns in the Quran. Satan was also a jinn.[1] Literally, the word “jinn” refers to anything that is hidden and cannot be seen.[2] In regard to the nature and creation of jinns, the Quran says: “and We created the jinn earlier out of a piercing fire.”[3] Therefore, jinns do exist and they have prophets like man does.[4] They are obligated to worship God[5] and have Muslims and disbelievers depending on their beliefs and actions.[6] Satan, who did not prostrate to Adam, is also among the jinns.[7] Read More

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killing rabid and biting dogs in order to receive Wahy (revelation)

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Question 491: Did the Prophet ordered that killing rabid and biting dogs is allowed (in any situation)?

Answer 491: It is quoted a story in some tafasir in which mentioned that Gabriel (as) went to the holy Prophet (pbuh) and asked if He gives him permission to come in? The Prophet gave him permission, but Gabriel didn’t come in. After a while, the holy Prophet said: We gave you permission! So, why don’t you come in? Gabriel replied: we don’t come in a house where a dog is in. According to Abu Rafe’, the narrator of this hadith, quoted that after this event, the Holy Prophet (pbuh) ordered to kill dogs existed in the city. The companions of the holy Prophet asked if keeping any dogs are forbidden? The Prophet kept silence until the verse four of the surah Maedah has sent down in which keeping hunting dogs have been permitted.[1]

It is generally mentioned in Shia traditions that the Angels will not enter a house in which a dog is keeping.[2]

It is noteworthy that there hasn’t mentioned in any Shia traditions that this dog was kept in the house of the Holy Prophet (pbuh). It is said that this event happened at the time when the holy Prophet were presented in an area where a puppy dog was kept inside a house.[3]

There is a tradition narrated from Imam Ali (as) that the holy Prophet (pbuh) sent me to Medina and ordered: …destroy graves and kill dogs. Damiri narrated from Abdullah bin Ma’qal the he narrated a Hadith in which the Holy Prophet (pbuh) ordered to kill dogs then He (pbuh) said: You are allowed to keep hunting and herding dogs. So, His companions interpreted the holy Prophet’s order that rabid and biting dogs have to be killed.[4]

According to Imam Sadiq (as), black dogs are Jin.[5]

Conclusion: It is narrated in Shia and Sunni[6] sources that the holy Prophet (pbuh) ordered to kill dogs, however He later said that keeping hunting and herding dogs are permitted.

Dogs are of some species. Those rabid and biting dogs need to be killed if they harm us, but hunting and herding dogs have been permitted to be kept.[7]

[1] . Tabari, Abu Jaafar Muhammad bin Jarir, Jame al-Bayan fee Tafsir al-Quran, Vol. 6, Pg. 57, Dar al-Ma’rifat, Beirut, 1412 A.H.

[2] . Kuleini, Muhammad bin Yaqoub, Kafi, Vol. 3, Pg. 393, H 26, Dar al-Kutub al-Islamiyah, Tehran;  Majlesi, Biharul Anwar, Vol. 80, Pg. 288;  Hurr Ameli, Muhammad bin Hasan, Wasael al-Shia, Aalul Bayt Institution, Qom, 1409 A.H. Vol. 5, Pg. 275, H 6260.

[3] . Wahedi, Ali bin Ahmad, Asbab al-Nozul, Pg. 194, Dar al-Kutub al-Elmiyyah, Beirut, 1411 A.H.

[4] . al-Kafi, Vol. 6, Pgs. 552-553.

[5] . Biharul Anwar, Vol. 6, Pg. 287.

[6] . Muslim, 1572-1573-280; Abu Dawood, 2845.

[7] . Surah Maedah, verse 4;  Hurr Ameli, Muhammad bin Hasan, Wasael al-Shia, Aalul Bayt Institution, Qom, 1409 A.H. Vol. 5, Pg. 275, H 6260;  Golpayegani, Sayyid Muhammad Reza Moosavi, Majma al-Masael, Dar al-Quran al-Karim, Qom, Iran, second edition. 1409 A.H, Q 181;  Tawzih al-Masael of maraja (annotated), Vol. 2, Pg. 198;  Ibid, Vol. 1, Pg. 67.