#331: Ruling regarding the Splitting of the Moon
QUESTION
“Please if you don’t mind can you narrate the event of the splitting of the moon for prophet Muhammad”
ANSWER
The splitting of the Moon in the time of the Rasul – salallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam – as a sign among the signs of Allaah is confirmed by the verses in the Qur’an and the Ahaadith of the Rasul – salallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam.
Allaah – ta’ala – said:
اقتربت الساعة وانشق القمر
“The Final Hour has drawn close and the moon has split”
Both Imaam Al-Bukhaari and Imaam Muslim transmitted in their sahih that the people of Makka asked the Rasul – salallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam – to show them a sign with which they will attest to his prophethood.
So, Allaah answered by splitting the moon on the behest of the Rasul – salallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam – into two to such an extent that they could see the mountain of Hiraa between the two halves.
It is transmitted from ‘Abdullah bn Mas’ud – radiyallaahu ‘an hu – that he said:
“The moon split into two halves in the era of the Messenger of Allaah – salallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam – one half was above the mount while the other was below it. Then the Messenger of Allah – salallaahu alayhi wasallam – said: bear witness (to this)”
It is also transmitted from him that he said:
“I indeed saw the mount of Hiraa between the split twin halves of the moon.”
Recorded and Transmitted by Imaam Bukhaari
The Ulamaa of Tafsir and Seera have formed a consensus on the indisputable nature of this report.
Al-Kattaani said:
“At-Taaj Ibn As-Subki said in his commentary on the Mukhtasar of Ibn Al-Haajib: what I have found to be indisputable is that the story of the splitting of the moon is Mutawaatir, textually mentioned in the Qur’an and transmitted in the Sahihayn and other collections of Hadith with the isnaad of the Hadith of Shu’ba from Sulaymaan bn Mahraan from Ibrahim from Abi Ma’mar from Ibn Mas’ud… And it has come with various other chains that it is not possible to doubt that it is mutawaatir…”
Nadhmu Al-Mutawaatir
Imaam Al-Haafidh bn Hajar – rahimahillaah – said:
“The Mufassirun and the Seera Historians have formed a consensus on the veracity of its occurrence… And among the Companions, Ali, Ibn Mas’ud, Hudhayfah, Jubayr bn Mat’am, Ibn umar, Ibn Abbas and Anas are among its narrators…”
Al-Amaali
Imaam Al-Qurtubi – rahimahullaah – said in ‘Al-Muf’ham’:
“It was narrated by many of the Companions and it was in turn narrated from them by a substantial number among the Taabi’in and those that came after them”
Similar statements were made by Imaam Al-Munaawi, Al-Haafidh Al-Iraaqi, Ibn Kaathir, Ibn Aashur – rahimahumullaah – and many others.
It should be realised that the splitting of the moon is one of the greatest signs of the Prophethood and Messengership of the Ra’s – salallaahu alayhi wasallam.
Al-Khattaabi – rahimahullaah – said:
“The splitting of the moon is an aayah (sign) which is almost entirely unparalleled by any of the signs and miracles of the Prophets. And that is because it occurred on the created things of the skies and away from the entirety of the natural things on this earth, and it is compounded by different aspects of nature. It is therefore not a thing that can be achieved by trickery. And for that reason, the miracle that it conveys is most apparent.”
Despite the glaring nature of this miracle, the mushrikin of Makkah still had the irrationality of claiming that magic was performed on their eyes and minds.
That’s why Allah said:
وان يروا اية يعرضوا ويقولوا سحر مستمر
“And if they see a sign, they turn away and say: magic unceasing”
It is not permissible for a believer to entertain doubts in his mind about the occurrence of this miracle neither is it permissible to question the possibility of it splitting into two halves to such an extent that both halves will sand witch the mount of Hiraa.
Let us realise that Allaah created the moon and everything in existence and therefore has the sole Power to make anything such as that happen.
We ask Allaah to strengthen our Imaan and to make us among the People of His love aameen.
Bārakallāhu Fīkum
Jazākumullāhu Khayran
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