Chapter: The Disapproval of Reviling the Rooster

1730 – Zayd ibn Khalid al-Juhani (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “Do not curse the rooster, for it awakens people for prayer.” Related by Abu Dawud with an authentic chain of transmission.

Explanation

The author (may Allah have mercy on him) states in his Riyad al-Saliheen: “Chapter on the prohibition of cursing the rooster.” The rooster is the male chicken, and its crow serves as a call that rouses those who are sleeping. Some roosters crow right at the prescribed prayer times. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) instructed anyone who hears a rooster crow to ask Allah for His bounty, saying: “When you hear the rooster crow, say, ‘I ask Allah for His bounty,’ for it has seen an angel.” Certain roosters crow precisely when the prayer time begins or shortly before, thereby awakening people for prayer. Because of this distinct merit, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) forbade reviling it. He likewise forbade killing the ant that once guided its fellow ants to safety from Solomon, upon him be peace. This reflects the perfection of Allah’s justice: some creatures have been endowed with benefits for His servants.