People transforming into pigs and apes

Question:-

Rasulullah Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam is reported to have said, “People from my nation will consume alcohol, calling it by different names, while musical instruments will be played for them and girls will sing to them. Allah will cause the earth to swallow them and He will turn some of them into apes and pigs.” (Sunan Ibn Majah)

I would like to know if the part, “and He will turn some of them into apes and pigs”, is to be understood literally or figuratively. If we are to understand it figuratively, would this mean that people’s mentality, behavior and way of living would be similar to that of a pig and ape? Or, would people actually turn into pigs and apes? And would other people be able notice the change in such people?

Answer:- 

The Hadith refers to one literally being transformed into an ape or swine. Approximately some 20 odd years ago, there was a disease referred to as the ‘hog disease’. A group of people spent the night clubbing and listening to music and by the morning, they were transformed into pigs. Hence, the Hadith refers to them being transformed into pigs in the literal sense, and this was witnessed by the public. Similarly, Allah Ta’ala speaks of the Jews in the Quraan Sharif who were also transformed into monkeys due to fishing on Saturday. A Muhaddith doubted the following narration which states, “Does the one who raises his head before the Imaam not fear that Allah Ta’ala will transform his head into that of a donkey’s head?” He raised his head before the Imaam in order to test the authenticity of the narration, resulting in his head being transformed. He would therefore, veil his face and proceed to teach Hadith. In conclusion, the narration is to be understood in its literal sense.

عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، قَالَ: قَالَ أبو القاسم – صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ -: “أَلَا يَخْشَى الَّذِي يَرْفَعُ رَأْسَهُ قَبْلَ الْإِمَامِ أَنْ يُحَوِّلَ اللَّهُ رَأْسَهُ رَأْسَ حِمَارٍ؟ ” (سنن ابن ماجة)

ALLAH TA’ALA KNOWS BEST!

ANSWERED BY:-

Mufti Mohammed Desai

Date: 16 Safar 1444 / 13 September 2022