Question
Is this a Hadith?
الاقارب كالعقارب
Answer
I have not come across this as a Hadith. This is an Arabic proverb or a poem.
Imam Raghib Al Asfahani (rahimahullah) has cited this proverb in his books with the following words:
إن الأقارب كالعقارب، بل أضر من العقارب
[Some] relatives are like scorpions, rather they are more harmful than scorpions.
(Muhadaratul Udaba wa Muhawaratush Shu’ara wal Bulagha, vol. 1 pg. 311, Darul Arqam edition)
In Khulasatul Athar Fi A’ayanil Qarnil Hadi ‘Ashar, these words appear as part of a poem:
آخ الرِّجَال من الاباعد والاقارب لَا تقَارب
ان الاقارب كالعقارب بل أضرّ من العقارب
Form brotherly bonds with distant people, relatives should not be brought close
Relatives are like scorpions, nay, worse than scorpions
(Khulasatul Athar, vol. 3 pg. 152, Dar Sadir edition)
Despite the above, the Sunnah of Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) encourages us to maintain family ties under all circumstances. Yes, one should also be wary of danger and jealousy wherever/whoever it may pose a threat from.
And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.
Answered by: Moulana Suhail Motala
Approved by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar