Back to search

How can one distinguish between the authentic and the fabricated among the Isra'iliyyat, and what is the ruling on transmitting and spreading them, and is it obligatory to denounce those who do so for publishing them?

1 min readAlso available in العربية

"Israiliyyat" (tales from Jewish and Christian traditions) are examined. Whatever aligns with what the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, brought, is to be believed, and its dissemination is permissible, though it is preferable to dispense with it. Whatever contradicts what the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, brought, is to be disbelieved, and whoever disseminates it is to be censured. As for that for which we have no evidence to confirm or deny it, it is permissible to narrate it without affirming or denying it, based on the hadith: "Do not believe the People of the Book, nor disbelieve them." And the hadith: "Narrate from Bani Isra'il, and there is no harm." Knowing whether they conform to or contradict the texts of revelation is by reflecting upon the two revelations for those who have knowledge of them. The general principle is that common people should not be exposed to Israiliyyat, for fear of falling into their falsehoods.

Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026

Read the full answer on Ftawy