Lizard is a very legendary animal in Islamic history. This four legged reptile is often looked at the wall and ceiling in homes and it is including to cursed animals until the end of time. This is caused that lizards are mentioned as animal intermediaries of Satan who against da’wah.
History of Lizard in Islam
The history of this legendary lizard was happening when the Prophet Ibrahim ‘alaihi sallam was thrown alive into the fire. This fire has been served by Namrud Ibn Kan’an. He was a first king who admit being God from Babylonia Empire or now, we know it as Irak.
In that event, there are two animals that play a role, they are an ant and a lizard. If the ant take sides on the Prophet Ibrahim ‘alaihi sallam, then the lizard take sides on the King, Namrud Ibn Kan’an.
In that history, the ant run with much difficulty to bring water droplets in its mouth. It did that to put out the fire that burnt the body of the Prophet Ibrahim ‘alaihi sallam. Then a bird said while representing the surprise of all animals which saw that event.
“That is impossible, a water droplet in your mouth can put out that big fire” Said the bird.
But then the ant answered,
“Indeed, this water would not have been able to put out that fire, but at least , all of you see what I did and know which side I am on.”
Finally, from that event, many hadith that told about how is the role of lizard that make the spread of Islam difficult during the time of the Prophet Ibrahim ‘alaihi sallam.
For example, a hadith of Muslim that narrated that the lizard was a main suspect which blew and blew the fire up until it burnt the Prophet Ibrahim ‘alaihi sallam.
“One time, the lizard blew and enlarged the fire that burnt Ibrahim.” (Narrated by Muslim)
Addressing this hadith, Syekh Utsaimin mentioned that the act of lizard that blew to enlarged the fire (That burnt the Prophet Ibrahim ‘alaihi sallam). It signed that the lizard is an animal that against da’wah, tawhid specialist and sincerity of the fighters. (Syarah Riyadhus Shalihin)
See also :
The Sunnah of Killing lizard in Islam
The law of killing lizard in Islam is Sunnah. This is cause by the history of lizard that took sides on Namrud Ibn Kan’an and it followed to burnt the Prophet Ibrahim ‘alaihi sallam. Even some hadith are very recommended Muslim to kill lizard which get a title as a fasiq animal from the Prophet Muhammad Shallallahu ‘Alaihi Wasallam.
Imam Nawawi in Syarah shahih Muslim mentioned ‘illat that the lizard is classified as a fasiq animal because this animal gives mudharat effects and disturbs human.
Sa’ad bin Abi Waqqash radhiallahu ‘anhu narrated that
“the Prophet Muhammad Shallallahu ‘Alaihi Wasallam commands (his people) to kill lizards and he mentioned (lizards) as fasiq animals (disturber).” (Narrated by Muslim) [AdSense-B]
The Messenger of Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala said,
“Whoever kill a lizard with one punch, it is noted one hundred goodness for him, in two punch the reward is less from that, in three punch the reward is less from that.” (Narrated by Muslim)
Then Al-Munawi said,
“Allah commands to kill lizards because lizards have bad deeds, while in the past, it blew the fire that burn the Prophet Ibrahim until (that fire) became big.” (Faidhul Qadir)
Not only that, another hadith also told about Aisha who said,
“I heard that Rasulullah SAW said, “Whoever kill lizards then Allah will erase seven sins of him.” (Narrated by Thabrani)
Continue from that hadith, Ibn Majah narrated a hadith that told that he met with Aisha and saw her home. There was a spear that dropped. He asked to Aisha,
“O mother of Muslim, what do you do with this spear?”
Aisha answered,
“We just killed lizards. Indeed The Prophet Muhammad saw has informed us that when the Prophet Ibrahim as was thrown into the fire, no one animals at that time except it will put out it except the lizard that blew the fire. Then the Messenger of Allah commanded to kill it.” (Narrated by Ibn Majah)
Besides it is based on the history of lizards that against da’wah, the suggestion to kill lizards in Islam is also based on logical things such as bad effects of lizards to human health. After the scientist are done a long research, they know that the lizard contains a dangerous bacteria that can cause stomachache and poison the food.
Besides that, in the study of “al Asbah an Nazhoir” Imam Suyuthi mentioned that animals are divided become four groups. [AdSense-C]
The firs is animals which have benefits and they are not dangerous for human body, then they should be not killed, but they should be consumed. The second is animals which contain danger and do not have benefits for body, then they should be killed. For example, snake and other dangerous animals.
The third is animals which have positive benefits for body but also dangerous for human, then it should be not recommended and the law is makruh to kill it.
For example is an eagle. The fourth is animals which do not contain benefits and not dangerous for human, then the law is not haram and we are not recommended to kill them, such as caterpillars, insects and others.
From four types of animals that have been explained above, then it must be clear that the lizard can endanger human and poison food. It is very recommended to kill it.
The Reward of Killing Lizard
Sunnah is not an obligation thing that must be done by Muslim, but if it is done, then he will get reward and other benefits. Of course, if someone kills lizards, he will get a reward.
About this case, the Prophet Muhammad Shallallahu ‘Alaihi Wasallam explained about the reward that will be got, if his people do his recommendations. It is mentioned in a hadith, the Messenger of Allah Shallallahu ‘Alaihi Wasallam said :
“Whoever kill lizards, then in the early punch, for him this and that from that goodness. Whoever kill it in the second punch, then for him this and that is a different goodness from the first. If he kill it in the third punch, then for him this and that goodness that is different with the second.” (Narrated by Muslim)
Thus the explanation about the law of killing baby lizard in Islam. Hopefully this article can add our knowledge and how to improve our faith in Islam to Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala. Amen.
See also :