REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, MEDINA --Scorpions belong to a species that has toxic potential, namely neurotoxins or nerve poisons. Therefore scorpions are very dangerous when they sting humans. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) had called on his people to beware of scorpions. Even as dangerous as this animal is, Muslims are allowed to kill it even when it is in holy land. Here are some facts about scorpions.
1) Can kill scorpions
The Prophet Muhammad ordered the killing of scorpions. This is as explained in the holy book of Bukhari and Muslim, from Ibn Umar Radhiyallahu Anhu: The Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said:
خَمْسٌ لاَ جُنَاحَ على مَنْ قَتَلَهُنَّ في الْحَرَمِ وَالإِحْرَامِ: الفَارَةُ، وَالْعَقْرَبُ، وَالْغُرَابُ، وَالْحِدَأَةُ، وَالْكَلْبُ الْعَقُورُ
That is to say: There are five animals that are innocent for someone to kill when they are in the holy land and when they are in idram. Namely rats, scorpions, crows, eagles, and fierce dogs.
It is then possible for a person who is praying and finds a scorpion in his robe or shirt, that he may kill him even though he is in prayer. Because the existence of scorpions is very dangerous to yourself.
The Apostle said:
اقتلوا الأسوَدَينِ في الصلاةِ؛ الحيةُ و العقربُ
It means: Kill two black animals during prayer, a scorpion and a snake
Several scholars argue that the order to kill scorpions demonstrates his ability to kill scorpions. And that doesn't mean slurping a scorpion is mandatory.
And the reason why it is permissible to kill scorpions is that Islam attaches importance to the preservation of the soul, and to the preservation of human life from danger and evil. It is then permissible for a Muslim to eliminate or avoid harm or threat of harm to himself or to others from animals.
It is possible to kill a scorpion with the aim of avoiding the threat of harm that the scorpion may cause to itself or others if it is not killed.
However, if one kills a scorpion for fun, or simply for the amusement of torturing it, it is not permissible and must be prevented.
2) Fears of death from being stung
In the Sunnah of Abu David narrated from Abu Yusr that the Messenger of Allah used to pray:
Go back to Amut Ledegha
And I took refuge in God from death by stings
The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) taught his people that death from being stung or bitten by an animal may not make the person repent to Allah first with death from a sting or bite being sudden.
Or the person affected by the sting and the bite becomes impatient in the face of his suffering and becomes wary, and does not utter phrases reminiscent of God so that he will end his life in disgrace.
3) The standing of the person who died was stung by a scorpion
Of Abi Malik Al Ash'ari, he said: I heard the Prophet (peace be upon him) saying:
مَنْ فَصَلَ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ فَمَاتَ أَوْ قُتِلَ فَهُوَ شَهِيدٌ أَوْ وَقَصَهُ فَرَسُهُ أَوْ بَعِيرُهُ أَوْ لَدَغَتْهُ هَامَّةٌ أَوْ مَاتَ عَلَى فِرَاشِهِ أَوْ بِأَيِّ حَتْفٍ شَاءَ اللَّهُ فَإِنَّهُ شَهِيدٌ وَإِنَّ لَهُ الْجَنَّةَ
Whoever decides to walk in the way of God then dies, or is killed, then he is a martyr, or his horse or string has broken his neck, or he has been stung by a scorpion, or he dies on his bed, or by death however he wills, he is a martyr, and to him paradise.