Question:
What is the reference for this Hadith?
“The one who speaks obscene vile talk and the one who hears it are equal in the sin.”
Answer:
Imam Abu Ya’la (rahimahullah) has recorded this narration as the statement of Sayyiduna ‘Ali (radiyallahu ‘anhu).
Sayyiduna ‘Ali (radiyallahu ‘anhu) said: “The one who engages in vile obscene talk and the one who listens to it [without objecting] are equal in sin.”
(Musnad Abi Ya’la, Hadith: 553)
‘Allamah Haythami (rahimahullah) has declared the narrators reliable.
(رواه أبو يعلى، ورجاله رجال الصحيح غير حسان بن كريب وهو ثقة)
(Majma’uz Zawaid, vol. 8 pg. 91)
Imam Bukhari (rahimahullah) has recorded a slightly different version in Al Adabul Mufrad. This version is as follows:
Sayyiduna ‘Ali ibn Abi Talib (radiyallahu ‘anhu) said: “The one who engages in vile obscene talk and the one who spreads and publicises it are equal in sin.”
(Al Adabul Mufrad, Hadith: 324)
And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.
Answered by: Moulana Suhail Motala
Approved by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar