Hadith #264

Arabic Text

English Translation

It was narrated from 'Abdullah ibn 'Umar (رضي الله عنهما) — via Yahya ibn Abi Bukayr, from Zuhayr ibn Muhammad, from Musa ibn Jubayr, from Nafi', freed slave of 'Abdullah ibn 'Umar — that he heard the Prophet ﷺ say: 'When Allah (تعالى) sent Adam (عليه السلام) down to earth, the angels said: "Our Lord, will You place upon it one who causes corruption therein and sheds blood, while we declare Your praise and sanctify You? He said: Indeed, I know that which you do not know" [2:30]. They said: "Our Lord, we are more obedient to You than the children of Adam." Allah (تعالى) said to the angels: "Choose two angels from among yourselves to send down to earth, so that We may see how they act." They said: "Our Lord — Harut and Marut." So they were sent down to earth. Venus [al-Zuhra] was manifested to them in the form of a woman of the most beautiful of human beings. She came to them and the two of them desired her and asked her to give herself to them. She said: "By Allah, no — not until you utter these words of polytheism." They said: "By Allah, we will never associate partners with Allah." She left them, then returned carrying a child. They asked her to give herself to them. She said: "By Allah, no — not until you kill this child." They said: "By Allah, we will never kill him." She left, then returned carrying a cup of wine. They asked her to give herself to them. She said: "By Allah, no — not until you drink this wine." So they drank it, became drunk, committed [adultery] with her, and killed the child. When they came to their senses, the woman said: "By Allah, there is not a single thing of what you had refused me but you did it when you became drunk." So they were given the choice between the punishment of this world and the punishment of the Hereafter, and they chose the punishment of this world.'