Question
Is this statement authentically attributed to Sufyan Thawri (rahimahullah):
“If every woman has one Shaytan accompanying her, then a handsome lad has two.”
Answer
Hafiz Khatib Baghdadi and Imam Ibnul Jawzi (rahimahumallah) have recorded an incident regarding Bishr Al Hafi (rahimahullah) looking away from [the face of an unbearded] youngster. When he was asked regarding this, he replied, “It has been reported that Sufyan Thawri (rahimahullah) said: ‘A girl is accompanied by one shaytan and a young boy is accompanied by two.’”
(Tarikh Baghdad, vol. 2 pg. 436-437, Talbisu Iblis, pg. 639. Also see: Majmu’ul Fatawa, vol. 11 pg. 545)
I have not come across the credibility or lack thereof on some narrators in this chain. However, the Muhaddithun have relaxed the stringent rules in incidents of this nature.
(Refer: Al Jami’u Li Akhlaqir Rawi of Hafiz Khatib Baghdadi, vol. 2 pg. 182 onward. Also see: Al Isnadu Minad Din, pg. 36-37 and footnotes on Ma’alim Irshadiyyah of Shaykh Muhammad ‘Awwamah hafizahullah, pg. 292-293)
And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.
Answered by: Moulana Suhail Motala
Approved by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar