Authentic hadiths reveal a curious shift in Muhammad’s guidance about snakes.

Sahih al-Bukhari 3297–3298 Ibn Umar reported that the Prophet, from the pulpit, commanded: “Kill snakes, especially the one with two white lines on its back (dhu-at-tufyatain) and the short-tailed one (al-abtar), for they cause blindness and miscarriage.” Ibn Umar added: Once I rushed to kill a snake, but Abu Lubaba stopped me, saying: “The Prophet later forbade killing snakes that live in houses.”

The same tradition appears in Sahih Muslim, sometimes including dogs alongside snakes as causes of blindness and miscarriage.

Sahih Muslim 2233b–c Ibn Umar: The Messenger ordered killing dogs and striped or short-tailed snakes, claiming they impair eyesight and trigger abortions.

Aisha is also cited blaming snakes for the same issues.

Modern medicine finds no link between household dogs or snakes and higher rates of miscarriage or vision loss in regions where pets are common.

Defenders, such as on IslamWeb.net, suggest snakes have a “poisonous glance” that ruins sight or that fear from them causes abortion. These explanations lack scientific support:

• No evidence exists for vision loss from a “poisonous look” or ordinary fright.
• Venomous bites can be lethal but do not specifically cause blindness or miscarriage.
• Stripe patterns or tail length do not determine a snake’s danger.

Why Spare Household Snakes?

The same sources explain that Muhammad taught some snakes in Medina could be jinn who had embraced Islam. He advised giving such snakes a three-day warning to leave; only if they remained should they be killed, as they would then be devils.

The Origin of the Jinn Concept

Judaism, Christianity, and the Bible contain no mention of jinn. This idea predates Islam and was widespread in Arabian pagan culture, where jinn were feared supernatural beings. Muhammad incorporated it into Islam, likely because fear of unseen entities helps maintain control—much like fortune-tellers and charm-sellers exploit it.

The Story Behind the Ruling

Sahih Muslim 2236a Abu as-Sa’ib visited Abu Sa’id al-Khudri and heard rustling in stored firewood. A snake appeared. He moved to kill it, but Abu Sa’id signaled him to wait. After prayer, Abu Sa’id pointed to a room and recounted: A newlywed young companion joined the Trench campaign. He often sought midday permission to visit his wife. One day the Prophet warned him: “Take your weapons—Qurayza might harm you.” Returning home, he found his wife standing outside. Jealous, he aimed his spear at her. She urged him inside. On the bed lay a large coiled snake. He speared it, pinning it, but the snake struck him. Neither survived—unclear who died first.

The companions asked Muhammad to pray for the youth’s revival. Instead, he said: “Seek forgiveness for him.” Then: “Some jinn in Medina have accepted Islam. If you see one, warn it for three days. If it stays, kill it—it is a devil.”

Reflection

• Muhammad lacked power to resurrect the man, so he reframed the snake as possibly a Muslim jinn.
• The wife would have to wait three days and nights, unsure if the bedroom snake was ordinary, a believing jinn, or a devil.

Does this guidance reflect divine wisdom from an all-knowing Creator—or a human attempt to manage a tragic incident with superstition?