How authentic is the Hadith that mentions frogs extinguishing the fire for Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham), peace be upon him?
The circulating with the wording "Do not kill frogs, for they passed over the fire of Ibrahim and put water in their mouths and sprinkled it on the fire" is not authentic. Al-San'ani mentioned this Hadith, but the editors of his book refrained from authenticating it due to their inability to find it. The closest narration to it is what 'Abd al-Razzaq transmitted in Al-Musannaf with the wording: "Protect the frog, for the sound you hear is glorification, sanctification, and magnification. The animals sought permission from their Lord to extinguish the fire for Ibrahim, and He permitted the frogs, so they piled upon it, and Allah replaced the heat of the fire with water for them." However, its chain of narration is very weak due to the presence of Aban, who is abandoned, and Abu Sa'id al-Shami, who is unknown.
As for what 'Abd al-Razzaq narrated from Al-Zuhri, from 'Urwah, from 'Aishah, that the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said: "The frog used to extinguish the fire for Ibrahim, and the gecko used to blow on it, so killing the former was forbidden, and killing the latter was commanded." Its apparent chain of narration is sound, but 'Abd al-Razzaq's sole narration of it makes it improbable and indicates the possibility of textual corruption or alteration. It is authentically established in the that the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, called the gecko a "little wicked creature."
In summary: The Hadith in question is not authentic, but the prohibition of killing frogs has been reported in other authentic Hadiths, such as the Hadith of Abu Hurairah, may Allah be pleased with him: "The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, forbade the killing of the shrike, the frog, the ant, and the hoopoe," and the Hadith of 'Abd al-Rahman ibn 'Uthman: "A physician asked the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, about a frog he would use in medicine, and the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, forbade him from killing it."
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
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