Could you please tell me about monkeys. Are they humans who were turned into monkeys for disobeying Allahs commandments? if so which people were they and what did they do?
Maskh (transformation) refers to the changing of a person’s
exterior appearance. Allaah has told us in more than one place in the
Qur’aan that He transformed some of the Children of Israel into monkeys as a
punishment for their disobedience towards Allaah. Allaah says, addressing
the Children of Israel (interpretation of the meaning):
“And indeed you knew those amongst you who transgressed in
the matter of the Sabbath (i.e. Saturday). We said to them: ‘Be you monkeys,
despised and rejected.’
So We made this punishment an example to their own and to
succeeding generations and a lesson to those who are Al-Muttaqoon (the
pious)”
[al-Baqarah 2:65-66]
And Allaah tells us their story in more detail in Soorat al-A’raaf,
where He says (interpretation of the meaning):
“And ask them (O
Muhammad) about the town that was by the sea; when they transgressed in the
matter of the Sabbath (i.e. Saturday): when their fish came to them openly
on the Sabbath day, and did not come to them on the day they had no Sabbath.
Thus We made a trial of them, for they used to rebel against Allaah’s
Command (disobey Allaah)
And when a community among them said: ‘Why do you preach
to a people whom Allaah is about to destroy or to punish with a severe
torment?’ (The preachers) said: ‘In order to be free from guilt before your
Lord (Allaah), and perhaps they may fear Allaah.’
So when they forgot the reminders that had been given to
them, We rescued those who forbade evil, but with a severe torment We seized
those who did wrong because they used to rebel against Allaah’s Command
(disobey Allaah).
So when they exceeded the limits of what they were
prohibited, We said to them: ‘Be you monkeys, despised and rejected’”
[al-A’raaf 7:163-166]
And Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
“Say: ‘O people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians)! Do
you criticize us for no other reason than that we believe in Allaah, and in
(the Revelation) which has been sent down to us and in that which has been
sent down before (us), and that most of you are Faasiqoon [rebellious and
disobedient (to Allaah)]?’
Say (O Muhammad to the people of the Scripture): ‘Shall I
inform you of something worse than that, regarding the recompense from
Allaah: those (Jews) who incurred the Curse of Allaah and His Wrath, and
those of whom (some) He transformed into monkeys and swines, and those who
worshipped Taaghoot (false deities); such are worse in rank (on the Day of
Resurrection in the Hell-fire), and far more astray from the Right Path (in
the life of this world)’”
[al-Maa’idah 5:59-60]
This transformation was a punishment from Allaah to them for
their doing that which Allaah had forbidden to them. This punishment was not
exclusively for the Children of Israel, rather the Prophet (peace and
blessings of Allaah be upon him) told us that the Hour will not begin until
such transformation happens among this ummah too. He issued this warning to
those who disbelieve in the divine decree (al-qadr), and those who drink
alcohol and listen to singing – we seek refuge with Allaah from that.
Ibn Maajah (4059) narrated from ‘Abd-Allaah ibn Mas’ood that
the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Shortly
before the Hour begins, people will be transformed into monkeys and pigs,
swallowed up in the earth, and pelted with stones.” (Saheeh Ibn Maajah,
3280).
Being swallowed up in the earth means that the earth will
split open and swallow up a person, house or city, just as Allaah caused the
earth to swallow Qaaroon and his household. Allaah says (interpretation of
the meaning);
“So We caused the earth to swallow him”
[al-Qasas 28:81]
Pelting with stones is
the same as Allaah did to the people of Loot. Allaah says (interpretation of
the meaning):
“and rained down on them stones of baked clay”
[al-Hijr 15:74]
Al-Tirmidhi (2152) narrated that Ibn ‘Umar said: “I heard the
Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) say,
‘Among this ummah those who disbelieve in the divine decree (al-qadr)
will be wallowed up by the earth, transformed into monkeys and pigs or
pelted with stones.” (Saheeh al-Tirmidhi, 1748).
And al-Tirmidhi (2212) narrated from ‘Imraan ibn Husayn that
the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him)
said: “Among this ummah, people will be transformed into monkeys and pigs,
swallowed up in the earth, and pelted with stones.” A man among the Muslims
said, “O Messenger of Allaah, when will that be?” He said, “When
singing-girls and musical instruments become widespread and wine is drunk.”
(Saheeh al-Tirmidhi, 1802).
These ahaadeeth indicate
that such transformations will happen in this ummah as a punishment for some
sins. So let the Muslim beware of doing anything that Allaah has forbidden.
Woe be to the one who provokes the anger, wrath and vengeance of Allaah. May
Allaah keep us all safe from the things that incur His punishment.
But these monkeys and pigs that exist nowadays are not the
people from the earlier nations who were transformed, because Allaah does
not enable those who have been transformed to have offspring, rather He
causes them to die after being transformed, so they have no offspring.
Muslim (2663) narrated that ‘Abd-Allaah ibn Mas’ood said: “A
man said, ‘O Messenger of Allaah, are the monkeys and pigs those who have
been transformed?’ The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon
him) said: ‘Allaah does not enable those who have been transformed to have
offspring or children. The monkeys and pigs existed before that.’” al-Nawawi
(may Allaah have mercy on him) said: “The Prophet’s words ‘The monkeys and
pigs existed before that’ means that they existed before the Children of
Israel were transformed, which indicates that they are not from among those
who were transformed.”
And Allaah knows best. May Allaah bless our Prophet Muhammad
and grant him peace.
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