I have a question concerning the report concerning Nabi Musa (‘alayhis salam) putting the burning coal into his mouth in infancy causing him to stutter when he spoke. Is this proven through sahih narrations or israeli one’s?
Is this not against the honour of a Nabi?
Answer
This incident is part of a lengthy narration knows an “hadithul futun” which is reported from Sayyiduna ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Abbas (radiyallahu’anhuma) and is recorded with a reliable chain in the following books:
1. As Sunanul Kubra of Imam Nasai, hadith: 11263,
2. Musnad Abi Ya’la, see Majma’uz zawaid, vol.7 pg.56-66
3. Tafsir Tabari, vol.16 pg.64-69 and others.
Hadith or Historical narration?
‘Allamah Mizzi (rahimahullah) has stated that besides a few parts, the majority of this narration from Sayyiduna Ibn ‘Abbas (radiyallahu’anhuma) is not a hadith. Its a historical (Israeli) narration. The Grand Hadith and Tafsir Master, Ibn Kathir (rahimahullah) quoted this from his teacher Al-Mizzi (rahimahullah) and declared it from those historical (Israeli) narrations that we are allowed to quote. (Tafsir Ibn Kathir, Surah Taha, Ayah:39)
This incident is widely quoted in the reliable books of Tafsir, like: Tafsirul Baghawi, Qurtubi etc. (Surah Taha, Ayah: 27)
Is this against the honour of a Prophet?
How would this be against the honour of a Nabi when this was done years before he was blessed with prophethood?
The stutter never remained
In fact, several commentators have explained that this stutter never remained like it was in Musa’s (‘alaihis salam) youth. From among them Hafiz ibn Kathir (rahimahullah) writes: “Fir’awn continued to (wrongfully) mock Nabi Musa (‘alayhis salam) about his stutter even after Allah Ta’ala had cured him from it when Musa (‘alayhis salam) asked Allah to do so, or at least it was removed to the extent that people could understand his speech.”
(Tafsir ibn Kathir, Surah Zukhruf, ayah:52)
And Allah Ta’ala Knows best,
Answered by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar
Checked by: Moulana Haroon Abasoomar