The Ruling on Fear of Harmful Creatures
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Question:
One of the sisters says: I am extremely afraid of snakes, and even of talking about them. I have heard that this is not permissible, so what is the guidance of Your Eminence, the Shaykh?
Answer:
Fear of harmful things is permissible; fear of harmful things is, of course, permissible. This is part of human nature, but it should not be an intense fear that goes beyond the norm. It should be a fear that leads one to guard against them and to kill them if found, such as a scorpion, a snake, or a mosquito. One guards against a mosquito with a blanket or with some of the pesticides that eliminate them without burning. If one sees a snake, one kills it; if one sees a scorpion, one kills it. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: even in prayer, even in prayer. So if one fears with a light fear that helps him to be cautious of them and to kill them.
As for intense fear, that is the work of cowards. But a light fear that leads one to be at ease from them by killing them and staying away from their harm, whether it is a snake, a scorpion, a wasp, a mosquito, or something similar. Yes.
Question : May Allah reward you with good and do you well. The listener Ahmad Sha'ban also asks and says: What is meant by the idle talk for which Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He) does not hold one accountable in oaths, and what is the complication of oaths that necessitates expiation when it occurs?
The Shaykh: Following up on the previous question: If a snake is in the house, it is given three warnings.
The presenter : It is given a warning.
The Shaykh : Three times, it is warned three times. If it leaves, fine; otherwise, it is killed specifically in the house. As for in the streets or in the wilderness, there is no need for a warning; it is killed. The saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him): The meaning, may Allah know best, is if it is outside the house, or after the warning regarding the snake, combining the texts. Yes.
The presenter : May Allah reward you with good. And does the three warnings mean three days or three times...?
The Shaykh : Even if it is over three days, or more.
The presenter : Or more? And if it is in one day?
The Shaykh : That suffices.
The presenter : That suffices.
The Shaykh : Yes.
The presenter : May Allah bless you, may Allah reward you with good.
One of the sisters says: I am extremely afraid of snakes, and even of talking about them. I have heard that this is not permissible, so what is the guidance of Your Eminence, the Shaykh?
Answer:
Fear of harmful things is permissible; fear of harmful things is, of course, permissible. This is part of human nature, but it should not be an intense fear that goes beyond the norm. It should be a fear that leads one to guard against them and to kill them if found, such as a scorpion, a snake, or a mosquito. One guards against a mosquito with a blanket or with some of the pesticides that eliminate them without burning. If one sees a snake, one kills it; if one sees a scorpion, one kills it. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
Kill the snake and the scorpion
اقتلوا الحية والعقربAs for intense fear, that is the work of cowards. But a light fear that leads one to be at ease from them by killing them and staying away from their harm, whether it is a snake, a scorpion, a wasp, a mosquito, or something similar. Yes.
Question : May Allah reward you with good and do you well. The listener Ahmad Sha'ban also asks and says: What is meant by the idle talk for which Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He) does not hold one accountable in oaths, and what is the complication of oaths that necessitates expiation when it occurs?
The Shaykh: Following up on the previous question: If a snake is in the house, it is given three warnings.
The presenter : It is given a warning.
The Shaykh : Three times, it is warned three times. If it leaves, fine; otherwise, it is killed specifically in the house. As for in the streets or in the wilderness, there is no need for a warning; it is killed. The saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him):
Kill the snake and the scorpion in prayer
اقتلوا الحية والعقرب في الصلاةThe presenter : May Allah reward you with good. And does the three warnings mean three days or three times...?
The Shaykh : Even if it is over three days, or more.
The presenter : Or more? And if it is in one day?
The Shaykh : That suffices.
The presenter : That suffices.
The Shaykh : Yes.
The presenter : May Allah bless you, may Allah reward you with good.
Source
binbaz.org.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.