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Shaytan urinating in one’s ear

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Question

Is there any Hadith that states that if one misses his Fajr Salah then Shaytan urinates in his ear? Also, what is the meaning of urinating in the ear?

 

Answer

Imam Bukhari (rahimahullah) along with others have recorded a Hadith on the authority of ‘Abdullah ibn Mas’ud (radiyallahu ‘anhu) that a man was mentioned in the presence of Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam). It was said [about the man] that he continued sleeping until morning without having gotten up to perform Salah. Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam) commented: ‘Shaytan urinated in his ear’.

(Sahih Bukhari, Hadith: 1144)

 

There is a difference of opinion that has been mentioned with regards to the type of person being referred to in this Hadith. Although some ‘Ulama and Muhaddithun were of the opinion that it refers to the one who missed Tahajjud Salah, others have mentioned that it refers to the one who missed a Fard Salah.

(Fathul Bari, Hadith: 1144, ‘Umdatul Qari, Hadith: 1144, Mirqat, Hadith: 1221; Also see: Fathul Bari, Hadith: 1142)

 

Mulla ‘Ali Qari (rahimahullah) has mentioned that this Hadith could indeed be referring to the Fajr Salah.

(Mirqat, Hadith: 1221; Also see: At-Tawdhih, Hadith: 1144 and Al-Kanzul Mutawari, Hadith: 1144)

 

Explanation

‘Ulama and Muhaddithun have given various possible interpretations for the meaning of “urinating in the ear”. Hereunder are a few of the interpretations mentioned:

1. It’s an expression showing that Shaytan had clogged that person’s ear to such an extent that he couldn’t hear or perceive the call to the remembrance of Allah [the Adhan]. It became difficult for him to hear just as it would become difficult for a person to hear if urine were truly to enter the ear.

2. It’s an expression used to indicate being overpowered and totally humiliated. Only an extremely insignificant and irrelevant object, such as trash, is urinated upon. Thus, it is as though Shaytan has overpowered him, thrown him to the ground, and urinated all over him leaving him completely humiliated and disgraced. [The ear was specifically mentioned as it is through the perception of sounds that a person generally regains consciousness the quickest].

3. It should be understood as is without any interpretation [Shaytan physically urinated in his ear].

(Fathul Bari, Hadith: 1144, Mirqat, Hadith: 1221; Also see: Ikmalul Mu’lim, Hadith: 774, and Dalilul Falihin, Hadith: 1162)

 

And Allah Ta’ala knows best

 

Approved by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar

This answer was collected from HadithAnswers.com. The answers were either answered or checked by Moulana Haroon Abasoomar (rahimahullah) who was a Shaykhul Hadith in South Africa, or by his son, Moulana Muhammad Abasoomer (hafizahullah), who is a Hadith specialist. 

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