55/11. Chapter:
Sahih Muslim 2997b — Rat Metamorphosis Report
Mice Are A Transformed Race
Hadith About Rats, Goat Milk and Camel Milk
Sahih Muslim : 2997b
Sahih MuslimHadith Number 2997b
وَحَدَّثَنِي أَبُو كُرَيْبٍ، مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ الْعَلاَءِ حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو أُسَامَةَ، عَنْ هِشَامٍ، عَنْ مُحَمَّدٍ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، قَالَ " الْفَأْرَةُ مَسْخٌ وَآيَةُ ذَلِكَ أَنَّهُ يُوضَعُ بَيْنَ يَدَيْهَا لَبَنُ الْغَنَمِ فَتَشْرَبُهُ وَيُوضَعُ بَيْنَ يَدَيْهَا لَبَنُ الإِبِلِ فَلاَ تَذُوقُهُ " . فَقَالَ لَهُ كَعْبٌ أَسَمِعْتَ هَذَا مِنْ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ أَفَأُنْزِلَتْ عَلَىَّ التَّوْرَاةُ
Abu Huraira reported that the rat (is the result of) metamorphosis (of a group of Bani Isra'il) and the proof of this is that when the milk of goat is placed before it, it drinks it, and when the milk of the camel is placed before it, it would not taste it at all. Ka'b said: Did you hear it from Allah's Messenger (ﷺ)? Thereupon he said: Has Torah been revealed to me?
Reference : Sahih Muslim 2997bIn-book reference : Book 55, Hadith 80USC-MSA web (English) reference : Book 42, Hadith 7136
Summary of Sahih Muslim Hadith 2997b
This narration reports Abu Huraira saying that the rat was a result of metamorphosis, and he mentioned a sign: when goat milk is placed before it, it drinks, but when camel milk is placed before it, it does not taste it. Ka'b then asked whether Abu Huraira heard this from Allah's Messenger (صلى الله عليه وسلم). Abu Huraira replied by asking whether the Torah had been revealed to him. The Hadith about rats should be explained carefully. The text gives a specific report and a specific proof mentioned by Abu Huraira. It does not invite extra claims beyond what is stated here.
What we learn from this hadith
- The narration mentions rats in connection with metamorphosis.
- The sign mentioned is the difference between goat milk and camel milk.
- Ka'b questioned the source of the report.
- Abu Huraira answered in a way that pointed back to prophetic hearing, not Torah reading.
