‘I arrived at the Masjid and al-Mughīrah, the Amīr of al-Kūfah said: ‘I heard the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah upon him, saying, ‘Indeed a lie upon me is not like a lie upon anyone else, for whoever lies upon me intentionally, then he shall take his seat in the Fire’.’
Introduction - Sahih Muslim 4 a
This narration from al-Mughīrah ibn Shu'bah, the governor of Kufa, contains a severe warning from the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) regarding fabricating statements attributed to him.
The Gravity of Lying Upon the Prophet
The phrase "a lie upon me is not like a lie upon anyone else" indicates the unique sanctity of Prophetic speech. Unlike ordinary speech, the Prophet's words constitute divine revelation and religious law.
Scholars explain that lying upon the Prophet corrupts the religion itself, as it introduces falsehood into the sacred sources of Islamic legislation and guidance for humanity.
The Condition of Intentionality
The specification "intentionally" (mut'aammidan) indicates that the severe punishment applies specifically to those who deliberately fabricate hadith while knowing it to be false.
This condition exempts those who transmit false narrations unknowingly or by mistake, though scholars emphasize the importance of verifying reports before transmission.
The Consequence in the Hereafter
"He shall take his seat in the Fire" represents one of the strongest threats in Islamic texts, indicating the abiding nature of this punishment in Hellfire.
Classical commentators note this demonstrates how seriously Islam takes the preservation of its authentic sources and the protection of Prophetic teachings from corruption and interpolation.
Historical Context and Significance
This hadith formed the foundation for the rigorous science of hadith criticism developed by early Muslim scholars to distinguish authentic reports from fabrications.
The transmission through al-Mughīrah, a prominent companion and governor, adds to the narration's authenticity and emphasizes its importance in early Islamic community leadership.