Shaykh al-Islām—may Allah have mercy on him—was also asked about hadiths attributed to the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, which storytellers and others relate in the streets and elsewhere.

He gave the following answers:

Among these is their report that he said:

“My Lord has taught me good manners, and has taught me well.”

He replied: “Praise be to Allah. The meaning is sound, but no reliable chain of transmission is known for it.”

They also report that he, peace and blessings be upon him, said:

“If the believer were on a mountain peak, Allah would appoint someone to harm him, or a devil to harm him.”

He replied: “Praise be to Allah. This is not known to be among the words of the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him.”

They also report that he, peace and blessings be upon him, said:

“If this world were fresh blood, the believer’s sustenance from it would be lawful.”

He replied: “Praise be to Allah. These are not the words of the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, nor is this known to have been transmitted from him through any chain of transmission. However, Allah will certainly make available to the believer sufficient provision to meet his needs. It is impossible under Islamic law for a believer to be forbidden what he cannot do without, for Allah