65/77.1. Chapter:
Sahih Bukhari 4930 — Surat Al-Mursalat and the Snake
Hadith About Surat Al-Mursalat, Revelation, and Being Spared Harm
Sahih Bukhari : 4930
Sahih BukhariHadith Number 4930
حَدَّثَنِي مَحْمُودٌ، حَدَّثَنَا عُبَيْدُ اللَّهِ، عَنْ إِسْرَائِيلَ، عَنْ مَنْصُورٍ، عَنْ إِبْرَاهِيمَ، عَنْ عَلْقَمَةَ، عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ قَالَ كُنَّا مَعَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم وَأُنْزِلَتْ عَلَيْهِ وَالْمُرْسَلاَتِ، وَإِنَّا لَنَتَلَقَّاهَا مِنْ فِيهِ فَخَرَجَتْ حَيَّةٌ، فَابْتَدَرْنَاهَا فَسَبَقَتْنَا فَدَخَلَتْ جُحْرَهَا فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم " وُقِيَتْ شَرَّكُمْ، كَمَا وُقِيتُمْ شَرَّهَا ".
`Abdullah Narrated from:
We were with the Prophet (ﷺ) when Surat Wal-Mursalat was revealed to him. While we were receiving it from his mouth, a snake suddenly came and we ran to kill it, but it outstripped us and entered its hole quickly. Allah's le said, "It has escaped your evil, and you too, have escaped its evil."
Reference : Sahih al-Bukhari 4930In-book reference : Book 65, Hadith 450USC-MSA web (English) reference : Vol. 6, Book 60, Hadith 452
Summary of Sahih Bukhari Hadith 4930
This Hadith describes a moment when the Companions were with the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم while Surat Al-Mursalat was being revealed. Abdullah said they were receiving it directly from the Prophet’s mouth. Then a snake suddenly appeared. The Companions hurried to kill it, but it moved faster and entered its hole. The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم then said that it had been protected from their evil, just as they had been protected from its evil. The Hadith gives a simple scene: revelation was being received, danger appeared, the Companions reacted, and Allah protected both sides from harm. The main focus is not a broad ruling about all animals, but the exact event described in the narration.
What we learn from this hadith
- The Companions received the revealed recitation directly from the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم.
- They responded quickly when a snake suddenly appeared.
- The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم described both sides as being spared from harm.
- The Hadith keeps the event tied to the revelation of Surat Al-Mursalat.
