It is narrated from Sayyiduna Ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with them both) that he heard the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) say: When Allah Almighty sent down Sayyiduna Adam (peace be upon him) to the earth, the angels said, "O Lord, are You appointing as Your vicegerent on the earth one who will spread corruption in it and shed blood, while we glorify You with praise and declare Your holiness?" Allah Almighty said to the angels: "Bring two angels so that they may be sent down to the earth and We may see what they do." The angels presented Harut and Marut, and both were sent down to the earth. After that, a planet named "Zuhrah" was sent to them in the form of an extremely beautiful woman. She came to them, and both began to demand that she give herself to them. She said, "By Allah! This cannot happen until you utter this polytheistic statement." Harut and Marut said, "By Allah, we will never associate partners with Allah." Hearing this, she went away and after a while returned carrying a child. They again made the same demand to her. She said, "This cannot happen until you kill this child." Both said, "We will never kill him under any circumstances." She went away again and after a short while came back carrying a cup of wine. They made the same demand to her as before, but she said, "This cannot happen until you drink this wine." Both drank the wine, and in their intoxication, they committed adultery with her and killed the child as well. When they regained their senses, she said, "The two things you refused to do, after becoming intoxicated, you did not refrain from either of them." Then they were given the choice between the punishment of this world and the torment of the Hereafter, so they chose the punishment of this world.

Benefit: Allama Ibn Jawzi (may Allah have mercy on him) has counted this hadith among the fabricated ones.