A Critical Study of the Bewitchment of Prophet in the Sunnite collections of Hadith

Holy Prophet, according to Islamic doctrines, must be free from all kinds of errors mistakes slips and forgetfulness so that the authenticity of his words and instructions be guaranteed and compelling. This qualification is confirmed by some verses of the Qur’an: “He does not speak out of desire. It is just a revelation that is revealed to him.” (al-Najm: 4-5). The reports of the bewitchment of Prophet, however, is irreconcilable with his infallibility exposing him to error and mistake and creating challenging questions to be examined thoroughly. Is bewitchment reconcilable with infallibility? Is revelation protected in the state of bewitchment? Is it possible to have confidence in a prophet bewitched? In what follows, the contents and chains of reporters of such traditions along with the views of the Sunnite scholars are surveyed.