In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Let’s Explore the miracles of Holy Prophet PBUH related to the celestial world in this blog. Discover the events, including the splitting of the moon and an examination of scientific evidence surrounding this phenomenon. Delve into the miraculous occurrences of bringing back the sun, the falling of stars and countless meteors, the divine miracle of rain, and the intriguing moment when a cloud cast its shadow over the Prophet. Additionally, read about the sixth miracle where a table laden with heavenly fruits was sent down. Lastly, explore the divine reprieve and illumination bestowed upon the Quraish in their embrace of Islam and many more.
Table of Contents
Splitting of the Moon:
One of these remarkable miracles of the Holy Prophet PBUH is the cleaving asunder of the moon, as explicitly stated in the Qur’an by Almighty Allah:
“The hour drew near, and the moon did rend asunder. And if they see a miracle, they turn aside and say: Transient magic.” -Surah Al-Qamar 54:1-2
Both Shias and Sunnis widely accept that this verse was revealed when the Quraish requested a miracle from Muhammad. In response, he gestured toward the moon, which, by divine intervention, split into two pieces.
Regarding this miraculous event, Imam Ja’far Sadiq (a.s.) shares that fourteen hypocrites, who had plotted to assassinate the Prophet at Aqbah, approached him on the fourteenth night of the month when the moon was full. They demanded a significant miracle, stating, “Every Prophet has had a miracle to attest his divine mission, and tonight we demand of you a great miracle.”
Muhammad inquired, “What is it?” They replied, “If you are respectable near the Almighty Allah, command the moon to be divided into two.” Immediately, Jibraeel conveyed greetings to Muhammad from the Lord and affirmed that all things were subjected to his command. The Prophet then, looking toward the heavens, commanded the Moon to divide into two, and it happened instantly. In gratitude, the Prophet and his Shias prostrated themselves before God.
Upon their request, the hypocrites asked Muhammad to restore the moon to its former state, and he did so promptly. They further proposed, “Let one side of the moon remain split, and the other side stay in its natural state.” Muhammad commanded, and it was done accordingly. The Prophet and Shias once again prostrated in thanks.
In response to his adversaries’ skepticism about the authenticity of the miracle, Muhammad’s opponents declared, “We have friends coming from Syria and Yemen; if they witness tonight what we have seen, we will believe. If they report nothing of these signs, then we shall know that you have imposed it on us by sorcery.” In response, Almighty Allah sent down the verses mentioned earlier. Ahle Sunnat have transmitted the traditional account of the Moon’s splitting through various companions.
Similar accounts from various narrators, including Ibn Masud, Anas, Huzaifa, Abdullah Ibn Umar, Abdullah Ibn Abbas, and Jubair Ibn Motam, attest to the moon-splitting event occurring in Mecca. Jubair even mentions that travelers acknowledged witnessing the same wonders that were apparent to Muhammad’s visitors. Ibn Masud vividly swore that the parts of the moon separated so extensively that he could see Mount Hira between them. Zahak notes that Abu Jahl dismissed the entire incident as magic. However, the Quraish, in their disbelief, decided to inquire in surrounding areas to determine if any changes were observed in the moon that night. Discovering consistent reports of the phenomenon in various locations, the disbelievers concluded that it was sorcery that had spread everywhere.
In another tradition related to the same incident, it is mentioned that the Prophet was sitting by Hajar Ismail when the Quraish infidels expressed their helplessness in the face of Muhammad’s matter. They demanded a miracle from heaven, challenging that a sorcerer could not influence celestial bodies. Muhammad then proposed to show them a miracle involving the full moon. Upon their agreement, he gestured with his miracle-working finger, causing the moon to split into two halves. One half fell on the roof of the Kaaba, and the other half on Mount Abu Qubais. Upon their request to reunite the moon, Muhammad instantly did so. In response, the disbelievers acknowledged that Muhammad’s magic extended to both heaven and earth.
According to an alternate report, the moon remained in two pieces from Asr to evening, with the disbelievers observing and asserting that it was an enduring sorcery.
Imam Ali Reza (a.s.) further corroborates this miraculous event through authentic chains, affirming that the moon indeed split into two pieces through the Prophet’s miracle. His Eminence emphasized, “Be a witness to this.”
Miracle of Bringing back of the Sun:
The second miracle of Holy Prophet PBUH is recounted by Shia and Sunni scholars through various chains, including Asma binte Umais. According to their narrations, on a day when the Holy Prophet (S) sent Ali on some business, Ali did not return until the time for afternoon prayers had passed. Upon Ali’s return, the Prophet laid his head in Ali’s lap, and during this state, received a divine communication that continued until the sun was setting.
When the Prophet inquired if Ali had performed prayers, Ali replied, “No, I could not lay aside your blessed head for any purpose.” The Prophet then prayed, saying, “O Lord, Ali was in service to You and Your Prophet; therefore, bring back the sun for him to perform prayers.” Asma attests, “By Allah, I saw the sun return several degrees above the horizon and again shine on the earth.”
This extraordinary event persisted until it was the optimal time for Asr Prayers, and Imam Ali (a.s.) performed the prayers. Subsequently, the sun set again.
In another report related to the Prophet’s night ascent to heaven, he disclosed having seen the Quraish caravan at a particular stage. When questioned about the day it would reach Mecca, he predicted Wednesday. However, as that Wednesday drew to a close without the caravan’s arrival, Muhammad’s enemies eagerly anticipated proving him false. In response to the Prophet’s prayer, the Almighty Allah caused the sun to linger an hour longer than usual above the horizon, allowing the caravan to arrive, thereby affirming Muhammad’s veracity.
Falling of stars and innumerable meteors:
Falling of stars and innumerable meteors at the Prophet’s birth, and the prohibition of evil spirits from ascending to the heavens.
Miracle of Rain:
The fourth miraculous event, as documented by Shia and Sunni scholars, revolves around a period when Arab tribes conspired to harm the Prophet. In response, he (S) prayed against them, invoking the withholding of rain for seven years from the tribe of Mudhir. This resulted in a severe famine akin to the time of Prophet Yusuf (a.s.), where there was no rain for seven consecutive years, causing a dreadful drought in Medina.
During this dire situation, a Bedouin approached the Prophet and lamented that their trees had withered, there was no grass, the udders of quadrupeds were dry, and even women and animals were suffering. In response to the distress of the people, the Holy Prophet (S) ascended the pulpit, praising and glorifying the Almighty, and fervently prayed for rain. Miraculously, the rain began, and it continued for a week. The downpour was so intense that the people of Medina expressed concern about potential drowning and the collapse of their houses.
In response to this, the Holy Prophet (S) raised his hands to the heavens, beseeching, “O Allah, let there be rain in the surrounding areas, and there should be no rain in this town.” Remarkably, wherever the Prophet gestured, the clouds moved accordingly, and there was no rain in Medina. This miraculous occurrence persisted for a month. The Prophet remarked that if His Eminence, Abu Talib, had been alive at that time, he would have been highly pleased with this divine intervention.
A cloud that cast its shadow over the Prophet:
The fifth miracle is associated with a cloud that cast its shadow over the Prophet, both before and after he assumed the prophetic office. This remarkable phenomenon has been extensively detailed in preceding chapters, particularly when the Prophet journeyed to Syria in the company of Abu Talib. During this trip, the monk Bahira observed him, and subsequently, others bore witness to this extraordinary event. The continuous narration (Mutawatir) of this miracle emphasizes its significance and prevalence in historical accounts.
Sixth Miracles of Holy Prophet PBUH:
The sixth miracle unfolded when a table laden with exquisite viands and fruits was sent down to the Holy Prophet (S). Umm Salma narrates through authentic chains of narrators that Lady Fatima (s.a.) once arrived at the Prophet’s presence, accompanied by Imam Hasan (a.s.) and Imam Husain (a.s.), carrying a Harira she had prepared for him.
Upon their arrival, the Messenger of Allah (S) summoned Ali (a.s.), seating Imam Hasan (a.s.) on his right knee and Imam Husain (a.s.) on his left. Lady Fatima and Ali (a.s.) were positioned in front and at the back, covered with the Khyber cloak. Thrice, the Prophet proclaimed, “O Allah, these are my Ahlul Bayt, keep doubt and sins away from them, and keep them purified as it is wont to be.”
Standing at the entrance, Umm Salma inquired, “O Messenger of Allah (S), am I also from them?” He responded, “No, but you shall have a good end.” Meanwhile, Jibraeel descended with a tray brimming with the fruits of Paradise. As the Holy Prophet (S) handled the fruits, they spontaneously praised and glorified the Almighty.
The Prophet partook of the fruits, offering them to Hasan and Husain (a.s.), and again, the fruits resounded with praises when consumed by the revered grandchildren. Ali (a.s.) was then given the fruits, and once more, they glorified the Almighty as he ate. When a companion of the Prophet attempted to partake, Jibraeel interjected, stating, “Except for the Prophet, successor of the Prophet, or the sons of the Prophet, no one else can partake of them.”
It is narrated from Lady Umm Salma that one day the Holy Prophet (S) had sent Imam Ali (a.s.) on some business. When he returned, the Messenger of Allah (S) was in my room. On seeing Ali (a.s.), the Holy Prophet (S) arose and welcomed him and brought him in the courtyard with his hand around him. Suddenly a cloud covered the two of them and they became invisible to me.
When the cloud went away I saw that the Holy Prophet (S) was holding a bunch of white grapes from which he and Ali were eating. I said: “O Messenger of Allah (S), you eat and give to Ali and you don’t allow me to share it.” He said, “They are from Paradise and none except a prophet or a successor of a prophet can eat them.”
Shia and Sunni scholars have narrated through authentic chains of narrators from Anas that one day the Messenger of Allah (S) mounted and rode to the peak of a mountain and told to go to a particular place where Ali was chanting the praise of Allah in the company of pebbles. Convey my greetings to him and bring him to me mounted on this mule.
Anas says that he went to that place and brought Ali to the Prophet. Ali (a.s.) greeted the Prophet and he replied and asked him to be seated. “Seventy prophets have sat at this spot and I am the best of all. In this way their successors have also sat here and you are superior to all. Anas says: I saw a cloud approach them and the Prophet extended his hand and took out a bunch of grapes from it and placed it in front of Ali (a.s.) and himself and said: “O my brother, eat from it as it is a gift from the Almighty Allah.” Anas asked, “Is Ali your brother?”
The Prophet replied in the affirmative, “Because 3000 years before the creation of Adam, the Almighty Allah created water below the Arsh and placed in a green pearl and its knowledge is only with Allah. Finally He created Adam (a.s.) and placed that water in his loins. Then he transferred it to the loins of Sheeth. In this way, it was transferred from one to another till it came to the loins of Abdul Muttalib. At this point it was divided into two – a part of which went to the loins of Abdullah and another part went to the loins of Abu Talib.
I am created from one part and Ali from another. Therefore Ali is my brother in the world and the Hereafter. It is mentioned by the Almighty Allah in the following verse:
وَهُوَ الَّذِي خَلَقَ مِنَ الْمَاءِ بَشَرًا فَجَعَلَهُ نَسَبًا وَصِهْرًا ۗ وَكَانَ رَبُّكَ قَدِيرًا.
“And He it is Who has created man from the water, then He has made for him blood relationship and marriage relationship, and your Lord is powerful.” -Surah al-Furqaan
It is mentioned in another report that Anas said: They ate and drank from that cloud and then it went away to the sky. And the Prophet said: 313 prophets and a similar number of their successors have eaten and drank from this cloud. I and Ali are the most superior to them in the view of the Almighty Allah.
It is mentioned in another reliable tradition from Imam Ja’far Sadiq (a.s.) that Amirul Momineen (a.s.) said: You should prefer eating Hareesa as it imparts strength of praying for forty days and it was included in the tray that had arrived from the heavens for the Holy Prophet (S).
Reference: The author says: There are many traditions with regard to the descent of Maidah as will be narrated in chapters about Amirul Momineen (a.s.), Fatima and Imams Hasan and Husain (a.s.).
Divine Reprieve and Illumination of Quraish in Islam’s Embrace:
The eighth miracle is elucidated in the commentary of Imam Hasan Askari (a.s.), recounting an incident where the Prophet addressed Abu Jahl. He conveyed, “Allah has spared you from punishment because you will be the father of a son who will embrace Islam, namely Akrama. In the matter of Wilayat, if he obeys Allah, he will attain salvation.”
This grace extends to the entire Quraish, as the Almighty Allah grants reprieve based on His knowledge that some will embrace Islam and others will have Muslim progeny. The Holy Prophet (S) then instructed, “Look at the heavens.” As they complied, the gates of the heavens opened, and fire descended, looming over their heads. Its proximity was such that they could sense its heat, causing them to tremble.
Reassuringly, the Prophet declared, “Do not be alarmed, for it will not burn you yet. It is sent as a lesson for you.” Subsequently, an effulgence radiated from their backs, extinguishing the fire. This luminosity ascended to the sky, symbolizing those individuals whose conversion to Islam and that of their descendants had been foreseen by the Almighty Allah.
Acknowledging the Source:
All the information and miracles mentioned above are derived from the book “Hayyat Al-Qulub Vol.2” by Allamah Muhammad Baqir Majlisi. The text has been rephrased and presented in the above form by the Imam and Science Blog Team. It is important to acknowledge that all credit for the content goes to the original author of the book.
This is the second volume in the three-volume series authored by Allamah Al-Majlisi, titled “Hayat al-Qulub” (Life of the Hearts). In this volume, a thorough and comprehensive biography of Prophet Muhammad [s] is presented, beginning with an account of his esteemed ancestry and concluding with events that occurred shortly after his passing.
If you wish to download the book, please click the download button below:
The credit for the book goes to the respected publisher and al-islam.org for providing the PDF version.
Thank You for Reading:
Thank you for reading! I hope you all have gained new information from this blog, and it has also increased your knowledge. All the information has been collected from the book “The Seal of the Prophets and His Message” by Sayyid Mujtaba Musavi Lari and rewritten by the Imam And Science blog writers. If you find any kind of mistake in this blog, please feel free to contact us!
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