Moon and Sun
Miracles
BISMILLA HIR RAHMAA NIR RAHEEM
ALLAH (THE EXALTED)’S NAME I START WITH, THE MOST BENEFICENT AND MERCIFUL
The miraculous splitting of the moon and the delaying of the setting of the sun
The Qur’an narrates the miraculous event of the splitting of the moon saying,
“The Last Day came near, and the moon split apart. And when they see a sign, they turn away and say, “Just a customary magic!” 1
1 Surah Qamar. Surah No:54. Verses:1-2
2 Sahih Bukhari. Vol: 2. P.721-2. Ash-Shifa, Chapter 3, Miracles of the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi Wassallam), section 12. P156.
3 Ibn Hanbal. Ash-Shifa, Chapter 3, Miracles of the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi Wassallam), section 12. P156.
4 Ash-Shifa, Chapter 3, Miracles of the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi Wassallam), section 12. P156.
The first verse was revealed at the time of the miracle.
Incident
Sayyidina Masood’s son tells us about this miraculous event saying,
“During the time of the Messenger of Allah, (Sallallahu Alaihi Wassallam), the moon was split into two. One part was seen above the mountain (Mount Hira) whilst the other was seen below and the Messenger of Allah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wassallam) called upon the people to witness.” 2
Sayyidina Masood Al Aswad confirmed,
“I saw the mountain between the two halves of the moon…”3
This miraculous event occurred in Makkah when the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wassallam), was walking with some of his Companions one night, and were met by a party of unbelievers who challenged. However, despite seeing it with their own eyes, the unbelievers said,
“The son of Abu Kabsha has bewitched you!” (Abu Kabsha was the husband of the Prophet’s foster mother Sayyidah Halima).
Another declared, “If Muhammad has bewitched the moon, then his magic will not have reached all places of the earth. Ask those who come from other cities whether or not they saw it.”
When they were asked about the occurrence they too confirmed that they had witnessed its splitting.4
Abu Jahl, the enemy of the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wassallam) said, “This is magic, send word to the people living in remote areas and ask whether they saw it or 3 www.GardensOfSunnah.co.uk
not.” They too confirmed that they had seen the miraculous event, but the unbelievers remained in their pride saying, “This is but a continuation of magic.”5
5 Alqama also related it from Sayyidina ibn Masud. Also from Sayyidina Abdullah, Sayyidina Anas, Sayyidina ibn Abbas, Sayyidina ibn Umar, Sayyidina Hudhayfa, Sayyidina Ali, and Sayyidina Jubayr ibn Mutim. Ash-Shifa, Chapter 3, Miracles of the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi Wassallam), section 12. P156.
6 Surah Yaseen. Surah No:36. Verse:38
7 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lunar_distance_(astronomy)
This miraculous sign was clearly obvious despite its objectors. It would not have
been hidden from anyone although its news has not been reported by other
nations of the earth. However, one must be aware that the moon rises and sets
at different times according to the hemispheres of the earth, also clouds and
mountains are another factor that could block its sighting. One is no doubt
aware that eclipses can occur in one country but only a partial eclipse is viewed
elsewhere, and as Allah tells us,
“…this is a command of the Almighty, the All Knowing.”6
Distance between earth and moon?
The average distance between the earth and moon is 238,900 miles.7 Distance is not an obstacle for the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wassallam). This proves that Allah (The Exalted) has given the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wassallam) the ability to control not only things on earth but also out of earth too. Not only to control things within Makkah or Madinah but the entire universe and everything in it. It is Allah (The Exalted) who sent the Messenger to inform people about Allah (The Exalted). Allah (The Exalted) has made and chosen the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wassallam) as His beloved and gifted His beloved and granted him (Sallallahu Alaihi Wassallam) miracles so that people would bring faith in Allah (The Exalted), through the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wassallam) and in the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wassallam). 4 www.GardensOfSunnah.co.uk
Incident 2
Sayyida Asma daughter of Umais narrates, “In Sahba (a place near Khaibar) the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wassallam) rested his blessed head on the lap of Sayyidina Ali after performing the Asr Salaah, whilst a revelation was being revealed. Sayyidina Ali’s lap had the blessed opportunity of having the Prophet’s (Sallallahu Alaihi Wassallam) blessed head rest on it until the sun had set, after which the Messenger of Allah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wassallam) knew that his Asr Salaah had become Qadha (time had passed) and made the following dua, “Ya Allah! Indeed Sayyidina Ali was obeying You and Your Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wassallam). Make the sun re-appear so that he may perform his Asr salaah in its correct time.”
Sayyida Asma daughter of Umais further states, “I saw with my own eyes that the sun re-appeared again, with the peaks of mountains and ground becoming bright with its rays.”8
8 Zarqani. Vol:5. P. 113. Madaarij. Vol:2. P.252. Ash-Shifa, Chapter 3, Miracles of the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi Wassallam), section 12. P157-8.
Lessons learnt
1. Salah is Fard (obligatory), however, Sayyidina Ali did not disturb the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wassallam) who told people about Salaah and to whom Salaah is prayed to, Allah (The Exalted).
2. The respect of the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wassallam) is a greater Fard than Salaah. If it was not for the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wassallam) we would not have Salaah.
3. Sayyidina Ali did not want to disturb the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wassallam) due to the respect, adab he had for the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wassallam), again the respect of the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wassallam) comes before everything else.
4. When someone becomes the beloved of the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wassallam) (Fana Fir Rasool) he becomes the beloved of Allah (The Exalted) (Fana Fillah).
5. When you obey the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wassallam) you are obeying Allah (The Exalted).
6. Allah (The Exalted) never rejects the supplication of our beloved Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wassallam).
5 www.GardensOfSunnah.co.uk
Incident 3
The sun was prevented from setting upon another occasion. This miracle took place on the day after the night of Me’raj. Sayyidina Yunus bin Bukair narrates from ibn Is’haq that when the Quraish questioned the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wassallam) about their returning caravan from Shaam (Syria), he replied, “Yes! I saw that caravan while on the way to Bait ul Muqaddas (Masjid Al-Aqsa), they shall arrive in Makkah on Wednesday.” Hence on that very day, the Quraish came out of the city of Madinah in wait for the caravan to arrive, and there had been no sign of it even until the sun was about to set. At that time, the sun stopped setting and remained in its position in the sky, caused by the supplication (dua) the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wassallam) made at that time. As a result, the day was lengthened, until the caravan had arrived.9
9 Zarqani. Vol: 5. P. 116. Ash-Shifa, Chapter 3, Mmiracles of the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi Wassallam), section 12. P158.
Lessons Learnt
1. The non-believers challenged the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wassallam). They asked if the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wassallam) saw their caravans, not only did the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wassallam) tell them that he did, he also told them what day they will arrive.
2. The Prophet’s (Sallallahu Alaihi Wassallam) dua is never rejected.
3. When the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wassallam) says something, then nature can change but the words of the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wassallam) do as said.