What is the story of the Ghuraniq mentioned in some books of biography, along with an explanation of the saying of Allah the Exalted:
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The questioner : What is the story of the Ghuraniq mentioned in some books of biography, along with an explanation of the saying of Allah the Exalted [An-Najm 53:3-4] And what is the position that a Muslim must take regarding this?
The Shaykh : The story of the Ghuraniq is that some exegetes, regarding the saying of Allah the Exalted[Al-Hajj 22:52-55], mentioned that this story occurred when the Messenger, may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him, recited , and Satan inserted into his recitation "Those are the exalted Ghuraniq, and their intercession is indeed to be hoped for".
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : Many scholars rejected this story, stating that it is impossible for such a thing to occur from the Messenger of Allah, may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him, and they criticized its chain of narration. Some scholars did not reject it, saying that this was not the speech of the Messenger of Allah, may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him, for Allah says[Al-Hajj 22:52], meaning he recited, and Satan inserted into his wish [Al-Hajj 22:52]. Thus, the one who inserted these words was Satan, not the Prophet, may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him. If it was Satan, then it does not detract from the status of the Messenger of Allah, may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him. For this reason, He said [Al-Hajj 22:52-53] to the end of the verses.
This does not detract from the status of prophethood or the status of the Messenger of Allah, may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him. As for the saying of Allah the Exalted[An-Najm 53:3-4], the pronoun in His saying refers to the Messenger of Allah, may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him. That is, what he, may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him, says on behalf of his Lord and what he conveys of revelation, he does not speak it from his own desire or by attributing to Allah, Mighty and Majestic, without knowledge. Rather, it is a revelation that Allah reveals to him. For this reason, He said [An-Najm 53:3], using the preposition "an" (from) to indicate that the meaning is that he does not speak a speech originating from desire, but rather he, may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him, speaks from the revelation that Allah revealed to him. Yes.
The questioner : The last part asks: What is the position that a Muslim must take regarding this?
The Shaykh : The position that a Muslim must take regarding this and other matters mentioned among the Isra'iliyyat.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : He should compare these Isra'iliyyat with what is in the Book and the Sunnah. What agrees with the Book and the Sunnah is true, not because it is a report from the Children of Israel, but because it agrees with the Book and the Sunnah. What contradicts them is false. And what neither contradicts nor agrees with them—meaning, whose contradiction or agreement is not known—regarding which one should suspend judgment, neither declaring it true nor false.
The questioner : May Allah reward you with good. The second question says:
(3) Nor does he speak from [his own] inclination. (4) It is not but a revelation revealed,
وما ينطق عن الهوى إن هو إلا وحي يوحىThe Shaykh : The story of the Ghuraniq is that some exegetes, regarding the saying of Allah the Exalted
(52) And We did not send before you any messenger or prophet except that when he spoke [or recited], Satan threw into it [some misunderstanding]. But Allah abolishes that which Satan throws in; then Allah makes precise His verses. And Allah is Knowing and Wise. (53) [That is] so He may make what Satan throws in a trial for those within whose hearts is disease and those hard of heart. And indeed, the wrongdoers are in extreme dissension. (54) And so those who were given knowledge may know that it is the truth from your Lord and [therefore] believe in it, and their hearts humbly submit to it. And indeed is Allah the Guide of those who have believed to a straight path. (55) But those who disbelieve will not cease to be in doubt of it until the Hour comes upon them unexpectedly or there comes to them the punishment of a barren Day.
وما أرسلنا من قبلك من رسول ولا نبي إلا إذا تمنى ألقى الشيطان في أمنيته فينسخ الله ما يلقي الشيطان ثم يحكم الله ءاياته والله عليم حكيم ليجعل ما يلقي الشيطان فتنة للذين في قلوبهم مرض والقاسية قلوبهم وإن الظالمين لفي شقاق بعيد وليعلم الذين أوتوا العلم أنه الحق من ربك فيؤمنوا به فتخبت له قلوبهم وإن الله لهاد الذين ءامنوا إلى صراط مستقيم ولا يزال الذين كفروا في مرية منه حتى تأتيهم الساعة بغتة أو يأتيهم عذاب يوم عقيمHave you considered al-Lat and al-'Uzza? And Manat, the third, the other?
أفرأيتم اللات والعزى ومناة الثالثة والأخرىThe questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : Many scholars rejected this story, stating that it is impossible for such a thing to occur from the Messenger of Allah, may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him, and they criticized its chain of narration. Some scholars did not reject it, saying that this was not the speech of the Messenger of Allah, may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him, for Allah says
And We did not send before you any messenger or prophet except that when he spoke
وما أرسلنا من قبلك من رسول ولا نبي إلا إذا تمنىAnd We did not send before you any messenger or prophet except that when he spoke [or recited], Satan threw into it [some misunderstanding]. But Allah abolishes that which Satan throws in; then Allah makes precise His verses. And Allah is Knowing and Wise.
ألقى الشيطان في أمنيته(52) And We did not send before you any messenger or prophet except that when he spoke [or recited], Satan threw into it [some misunderstanding]. But Allah abolishes that which Satan throws in; then Allah makes precise His verses. And Allah is Knowing and Wise. (53) [That is] so He may make what Satan throws in a trial for those within whose hearts is disease and those hard of heart. And indeed, the wrongdoers are in extreme dissension.
فينسخ الله ما يُلقي الشيطان ثم يُحكم الله ءاياته والله عليم حكيم ليجعل ما يلقي الشيطان فتنة للذين في قلوبهم مرض والقاسية قلوبهمThis does not detract from the status of prophethood or the status of the Messenger of Allah, may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him. As for the saying of Allah the Exalted
(3) Nor does he speak from [his own] inclination. (4) It is not but a revelation revealed,
وما ينطق عن الهوى إن هو إلا وحي يوحىAnd he does not speak
وما ينطقNor does he speak from [his own] inclination.
وما ينطق عن الهوىThe questioner : The last part asks: What is the position that a Muslim must take regarding this?
The Shaykh : The position that a Muslim must take regarding this and other matters mentioned among the Isra'iliyyat.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : He should compare these Isra'iliyyat with what is in the Book and the Sunnah. What agrees with the Book and the Sunnah is true, not because it is a report from the Children of Israel, but because it agrees with the Book and the Sunnah. What contradicts them is false. And what neither contradicts nor agrees with them—meaning, whose contradiction or agreement is not known—regarding which one should suspend judgment, neither declaring it true nor false.
The questioner : May Allah reward you with good. The second question says: