The Removal of Shaytan’s Portion from the Prophet’s Heart

Answered by Ustadh Tabraze Azam

Questions: I would like to know when the angels took the flesh/clots that causes one to sin/evil out of prophet Muhammad’s (peace be upon him)heart, were they physical lumps of flesh/clots? Do we all have those lumps of flesh/clots in our hearts that is the cause for us to think/feel/act evil or sin? Can we remove those clots like the prophet had his removed? Is it right to say that he was free from sin as he didn’t have the ability to sin or do evil to begin with by the removal of these lumps of flesh/clots?

Answer: Wa alaikum assalam wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh,

I pray that you are well, insha’Allah.

Yes, it was a small piece of flesh that was removed from the heart of the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace). It was said to him that this is “shaitan’s portion from you”. [Ibn Hajar, Fath al-Bari]

However, this was a miracle. The Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) experienced no feeling or pain neither at this event, nor in the subsequent opening of his chest during the night journey and ascent. (There is some difference as to whether there was a third occasion, too.)

Nevertheless, we affirm that the Prophets are necessarily truthful, trustworthy, and by extension protected from sin. It was not by the removal of the clot that he (Allah bless him and give him peace) acquired this trait. Rather, it is absurd for him and likewise all Prophets (Allah bless them all and give them all peace) to go against that which has been commanded. [Dardir, Sharh Kharida]

Please also see:

[a] How Do We Understand the Sinlessless of Prophets?

[b] How are the Prophets Protected from Error and Sin?

And Allah alone gives success.

Wassalam,

Tabraze Azam

Checked & Approved by Faraz Rabbani