54:1 Al-Qamar (The Moon)

يخبر تعالى أن الساعة وهي القيامة اقتربت وآن أوانها، وحان وقت مجيئها، ومع ذلك، فهؤلاء المكذبون لم يزالوا مكذبين بها، غير مستعدين لنزولها، ويريهم الله من الآيات العظيمة الدالة على وقوعها ما يؤمن على مثله البشر، فمن أعظم الآيات الدالة على صحة ما جاء به محمد بن عبد الله صلى الله عليه وسلم، أنه لما طلب منه المكذبون أن يريهم من خوارق العادات ما يدل على [صحة ما جاء به و] صدقه، أشار صلى الله عليه وسلم إلى القمر بإذن الله تعالى، فانشق فلقتين، فلقة على جبل أبي قبيس، وفلقة على جبل قعيقعان، والمشركون وغيرهم يشاهدون هذه الآية الكبرى الكائنة في العالم العلوي، التي لا يقدر الخلق على التمويه بها والتخييل.

سورة القمر: قد تقدم في حديث أبي واقد أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم كان يقرأ بقاف واقتربت الساعة في الأضحى والفطر وكان يقرأ بهما في المحافل الكبار لاشتمالهما على ذكر الوعد والوعيد وبدء الخلق وإعادته والتوحيد وإثبات النبوات وغير ذلك من المقاصد العظيمة. يخبر تعالى عن اقتراب الساعة وفراغ الدنيا وانقضائها كما قال تعالى "أتى أمر الله فلا تستعجلوه" قال "اقترب للناس حسابهم وهم في غفلة معرضون" وقد وردت الأحاديث بذلك قال الحافظ أبو بكر البزار حدثنا محمد بن المثنى وعمرو بن علي قالا حدثنا خلف بن موسى حدثني أبي عن قتادة عن أنس أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم خطب أصحابه ذات يوم وقد كادت الشمس أن تغرب فلم يبق منها إلا سف يسير فقال "والذى نفسي بيده ما بقي من الدنيا فيما مضى منها إلا كما بقي من يومكم هذا فيما مضى منه" وما نرى من الشمس إلا يسيرا "قلت" هذا حديث مداره على خلف بن موسى بن خلف العمي عن أبيه وقد ذكره ابن حبان في الثقات وقال ربما أخطأ "حديث آخر يعضد الذي قبله ويفسره" قال الإمام أحمد حدثنا الفضل بن دكين حدثنا شريك حدثنا سلمة بن كهيل عن مجاهد عن ابن عمر قال: كنا جلوسا عند النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم والشمس على قعيقعان بعد العصر فقال "ما أعماركم في أعمار من مضى إلا كما بقي من النهار فيما مضى" وقال الإمام أحمد حدثنا حسين حدثنا محمد بن مطرف عن أبي حازم عن سهل ابن سعد قال: سمعت رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم يقول "بعثت أنا والساعة هكذا" وأشار بأصبعيه السبابة والوسطى. أخرجاه من حديث أبي حازم سلمة بن دينار. وقال الإمام أحمد حدثنا محمد بن عبيد أخبرنا الأعمش عن أبي خالد عن وهب السوائي قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم "بعثت أنا والساعة كهذه من هذه إن كادت لتسبقني" وجمع الأعمش بين السبابة والوسطى وقال الإمام أحمد حدثنا أبو المغيرة حدثنا الأوزاعي حدثني إسماعيل بن عبيدالله قال قدم أنس بن مالك على الوليد بن عبدالملك فسأله ماذا سمعت من رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم يذكر به الساعة؟ فقال سمعت رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم يقول "أنتم والساعة كهاتين" تفرد به أحمد رحمه الله وشاهد ذلك أيضا في الصحيح في أسماء رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم أنه الحاشر الذي يحشر الناس على قدميه. وقال الإمام أحمد حدثنا بهز بن أسد حدثنا سليمان بن المغيرة حدثنا حميد بن هلال عن خالد بن عمير قال خطب عتبة بن غزوان قال بهز وقال قبل هذه المرة خطبنا رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قال فحمد الله تعالى وأثنى عليه ثم قال "أما بعد فإن الدنيا قد آذنت بصرم وولت حذاء ولم يبق منها إلا صبابة كصبابة الإناء يتصابها صاحبها وإنكم منتقلون منها إلى دار لا زوال لها فانتقلوا منها بخير ما بحضرتكم" فإنه قد ذكر لنا أن الحجر يلقى من شفير جهنم فيهوي فيها سبعين عاما ما يدرك لها قعرا والله لتملؤنه أفعجبتم والله لقد ذكر لنا أن ما بين مصراعي الجنة مسيرة أربعين عاما وليأتين عليه يوم وهو كظيظ من الزحام. وذكر تمام الحديث انفرد به مسلم وقال أبو جعفر بن جرير حدثني يعقوب حدثني ابن علية أخبرنا عطاء بن السائب عن أبي عبدالرحمن السلمي قال نزلنا المدائن فكنا منها على فرسخ فجاءت الجمعة فحضر أبي وحضرت معه فخطبنا حذيفة فقال ألا إن الله يقول "اقتربت الساعة وانشق القمر" ألا وإن الساعة قد اقتربت ألا وإن القمر قد انشق ألا وإن الدنيا قد آذنت بفراق ألا وإن اليوم المضمار وغدا السباق فقلت لأبي أيستبق الناس غدا؟ فقال يا بني إنك لجاهل إنما هو السباق بالأعمال ثم جاءت الجمعة الأخرى فحضرنا فخطب حذيفة فقال ألا إن الله عز وجل يقول "اقتربت الساعة وانشق اقمر" ألا وإن الدنيا قد آذنت بفراق ألا وإن اليوم المضمار وغدا السباق ألا وإن الغاية النار والسابق من سبق إلى الجنة وقوله تعالى "وانشق القمر" قد كان هذا في زمان رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم كما ورد ذلك في الأحاديث المتواترة بالأسانيد الصحيحة. وقد ثبت في الصحيح عن ابن مسعود أنه قال "خمس قد مضين الروم والدخان واللزام والبطشة والقمر" وهذا أمر متفق عليه بين العلماء أي انشقاق القمر قد وقع في زمان النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم وأنه كان إحدى المعجزات الباهرات "ذكر الأحاديث الواردة في ذلك" "رواية أنس بن مالك" قال الإمام أحمد حدثنا عبد الرزاق حدثنا معمر عن قتادة عن أنس بن مالك قال سأل أهل مكة النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم آية فانشق القمر بمكة مرتين فقال "اقتربت الساعة وانشق القمر" ورواه مسلم عن محمد بن رافع عن عبد الرزاق وقال البخاري حدثني عبدالله بن عبد الوهاب حدثنا بشر بن المفضل حدثنا سعيد بن أبي عروبة عن قتادة عن أنس بن مالك أن أهل مكة سألوا رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم أن يريهم آية فأراهم القمر شقين حتى رأوا حراء بينهما. وأخرجاه أيضا من حديث يونس بن محمد المؤدب عن شيبان عن قتادة ورواه مسلم أيضا عن حديث أبي داود الطيالسي ويحيى القطان وغيرهما عن شعبة عن قتادة به "رواية جبير بن مطعم رضي الله عنه" قال الإمام أحمد حدثنا محمد بن كثير ثنا سليمان بن كثير عن حصين بن عبدالرحمن عن محمد بن جبير بن مطعم عن أبيه قال: انشق القمر على عهد رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم فصار فرقتين فرقة على هذا الجبل وفرقة على هذا الجبل فقالوا سحرنا محمد فقالوا إن كان سحرنا فإنه لا يستطيع أن يسحر الناس كلهم تفرد به الإمام أحمد من هذا الوجه وأسنده البيهقي في الدلائل من طريق محمد بن كثير عن أخيه سليمان بن كثير عن حصين بن عبدالرحمن وهكذا رواه ابن جرير من حديث محمد بن فضيل وغيره عن حصين به ورواه البيهقي أيضا من طريق إبراهيم بن طهمان وهشيم كلاهما عن حصين عن جبير بن محمد بن جبير بن مطعم عن أبيه عن جده فذكره "رواية عبدالله بن عباس رضي الله عنهما قال البخاري حدثنا يحيى بن كثير حدثنا بكر عن جعفر عن عراك بن مالك عن عبيدالله بن عبدالله بن عتبة عن ابن عباس رضي الله عنهما قال: انشق القمر في زمان النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم. ورواه البخاري أيضا ومسلم من حديث بكر بن مضر عن جعفر بن ربيعة عن عراك به مثله. وقال ابن جرير: حدثنا ابن مثنى حدثنا عبد الأعلى حدثنا داود بن أبي هند عن علي بن أبي طلحة عن ابن عباس. قي قوله "اقتربت الساعة وانشق القمر وإن يروا آية يعرضوا ويقولوا سحر مستمر" قال قد مضى ذلك كان قبل الهجرة انشق القمر حتى رأوا شقيه. وروى العوفي عن ابن عباس نحو هذا وقال الطبراني حدثنا أحمد بن عمرو البزار حدثنا محمد بن يحيى القطعي حدثنا محمد بن شكر حدثنا ابن جريج عن عمرو بن دينار عن عكرمة عن ابن عباس قال كسف القمر على عهد رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم فقالوا سحر القمر فنزلت "اقتربت الساعة وانشق القمر- إلى قوله - مستمر" "رواية عبدالله بن عمر" قال الحافظ أبو بكر البيهقي أخبرنا أبو عبدالله الحافظ وأبو بكر أحمد بن الحسن القاضي قالا حدثنا أبو العباس الأصم حدثنا العباس بن محمد الدوري حدثنا وهب بن جرير عن شعبة عن الأعمش عن مجاهد عن عبدالله بن عمر في قوله تعالى "اقتربت الساعة وانشق القمر" قال وقد كان ذلك على عهد رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم انشق فلقتين فلقة من دون الجبل وفلقه من خلف الجبل فقال النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم "اللهم اشهد" وهكذا رواه مسلم والترمذي من طرق عن شعبة عن الأعمش عن مجاهد به قال مسلم كرواية مجاهد عن أبي معمر عن ابن مسعود وقال الترمذي حسن صحيح "رواية عبدالله ابن مسعود" قال الإمام أحمد حدثنا سفيان عن ابن أبي نجيح عن مجاهد عن أبي معمر عن ابن مسعود قال انشق القمر على عهد رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم شقتين حتى نظروا إليه فقال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم "اشهدوا" وهكذا رواه البخاري ومسلم من حديث سفيان بن عيينة به وأخرجاه من حديث الأعمش عن إبراهيم عن أبي معمر عبدالله بن سخبرة عن ابن مسعود به وقال ابن جرير حدثني عيسى بن عثمان بن عيسى الرملي حدثنا عمي يحيى بن عيسى عن الأعمش عن إبراهيم عن رجل عن عبدالله قال: كنا مع رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم بمنى فانشق القمر فأخذت فرقة خلف الجبل فقال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم "اشهدوا اشهدوا" قال البخاري: وقال أبو الضحى عن مسروق عن عبدالله بمكة وقال أبو داود الطيالسي حدثنا أبو عوانة عن المغيرة عن أبي الضحى عن مسروق عن عبدالله بن مسعود قال انشق القمر على عهد رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم فقالت قريش هذا سحر ابن أبي كبشة قال فقالوا انظروا ما يأتيكم به السفار فإن محمدا لا يستطيع أن يسحر الناس كلهم قال فجاء السفار فقالوا ذلك وقال البيهقي أخبرنا أبو عبدالله الحافظ أخبرنا أبو العباس محمد بن يعقوب حدثنا العباس بن محمد الدوري حدثنا سعيد ابن سليمان حدثنا هشام حدثنا مغيرة عن أبى الضحى عن مسروق عن عبدالله قال انشق القمر بمكة حتى صار فرقتين فقال كفار قريش أهل مكة هذا سحر سحركم به ابن أبي كبشة انظروا السفار فإن كانوا رأوا ما رأيتم فقد صدق وإن كانوا لم يروا مثل ما رأيتم فهو سحر سحركم به قال فسئل السفار قال وقدموا من كل وجهة فقالوا: رأينا. ورواه ابن جرير من حديث المغيرة به وزاد فأنزل الله عز وجل "اقتربت الساعة وانشق القمر". ثم قال ابن جرير حدثني يعقوب بن إبراهيم حدثنا ابن علية أخبرنا أيوب عن محمد هو ابن سيرين قال نبئت أن ابن مسعود رضي الله عنه كان يقول لقد انشق القمر. وقال ابن جرير أيضا حدثني محمد بن عمارة حدثنا عمرو بن حماد حدثنا أسباط عن سماك عن إبراهيم عن الأسود عن عبدالله قال لقد رأيت الجبل من فرج القمر حين انشق. ورواه الإمام أحمد عن مؤمل عن إسرائيل عن سماك عن إبراهيم عن الأسود عن عبدالله قال انشق القمر على عهد رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم حتى رأيت الجبل من بين فرجتي القمر وقال ليث عن مجاهد انشق القمر على عهد رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم فصار فرقتين فقال النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم لأبي بكر "اشهد يا أبا بكر" فقال المشركون سحر القمر حتى انشق.

Which was revealed in Makkah

The Hadith of Abu Waqid preceded, in which it is mentioned that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ would recite Surah Qaf (chapter 53) and Iqtarabat As-Sa`ah (Al-Qamar, chapter 54), during (the `Id Prayers of) Al-Adha and Al-Fitr. The Prophet used to recite these two Surahs during major gatherings and occasions because they contain Allah's promises and warnings, and information about the origin of creation, Resurrection, Tawhid, the affirmation of prophethood, and so forth among the great objectives.

بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَـنِ الرَّحِيمِ

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

The Hour draws near; the cleaving of the Moon

Allah informs about the approach of the Last Hour and the imminent end and demise of the world,

أَتَى أَمْرُ اللَّهِ فَلاَ تَسْتَعْجِلُوهُ

(The Event ordained by Allah will come to pass, so seek not to hasten it.)(16:1),

اقْتَرَبَ لِلنَّاسِ حِسَـبُهُمْ وَهُمْ فِى غَفْلَةٍ مُّعْرِضُونَ

(Draws near for mankind their reckoning, while they turn away in heedlessness.)(21:1)

Hadiths about the Last Hour

There are several Hadiths with this meaning. Al-Hafiz Abu Bakr Al-Bazzar recorded that Anas said that one day, when the sun was about to set, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ gave a speech to his Companions, saying,

«وَالَّذِي نَفْسِي بِيَدِهِ مَا بَقِيَ مِنَ الدُّنْيَا فِيمَا مَضَى مِنْهَا إِلَّا كَمَا بَقِيَ مِنْ يَوْمِكُمْ هذَا فِيمَا مَضَى مِنْه»

(By He in Whose Hand is my soul! Not much of this world is left compared to what has already passed of it, except as much as what is left in this day of yours compared to what has already passed of it.) Anas said, "We could only see a small part of the setting sun at the time." Another Hadith that supports and explains the above Hadith is recorded by Imam Ahmad that `Abdullah bin `Umar said, "We were sitting with the Prophet while the sun was rising above Qu`ayqa`an, after `Asr. He said,

«مَا أَعْمَارُكُمْ فِي أَعْمَارِ مَنْ مَضَى إِلَّا كَمَا بَقِيَ مِنَ النَّهَارِ فِيمَا مَضَى»

(What remains of your time, compared to what has passed, is as long as what remains of this day compared to what has passed of it.)" Imam Ahmad recorded that Sahl bin Sa`d said that he heard the Messenger of Allah ﷺ say,

«بُعِثْتُ أَنَا وَالسَّاعَةُ هكَذَا»

(I was sent like this with the Last Hour.) and he pointed with his middle and index finger. The Two Sahihs also recorded this Hadith. Imam Ahmad recorded that Wahb As-Suwa'i said that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said,

«بُعِثْتُ أَنَا وَالسَّاعَةُ كَهذِهِ مِنْ هذِهِ، إِنْ كَادَتْ لَتَسْبِقُنِي»

(I was sent just before the Last Hour, like the distance between this and this; the latter almost overtook the former.) Al-A`mash joined between his index and middle fingers while narrating this Hadith. Imam Ahmad recorded that Al-Awza`i said that Isma`il bin `Ubaydullah said, "Anas bin Malik went to Al-Walid bin `Abdul-Malik who asked him about what he heard from the Messenger of Allah ﷺ about the Last Hour. Anas said, `I heard the Messenger of Allah ﷺ say,

«أَنْتُمْ وَالسَّاعَةُ كَهَاتَيْن»

(You and the Last Hour are as close as these two (fingers).)"' Only Imam Ahmad collected this Hadith. There is proof to support these Hadiths in the Sahih listing, Al-Hashir (literally the Gatherer), among the names of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ ; he is the first to be gathered, and all people will be gathered thereafter (for the Day of Judgement). Allah's statement,

وَانشَقَّ الْقَمَرُ

(and the moon has been cleft asunder.) It occurred during the time of Allah's Messenger ﷺ, according to the authentic Mutawatir Hadiths the scholars agree that the moon was cleft asunder during the lifetime of the Prophet, and it was among the clear miracles that Allah gave him. Hadiths mentioning that the Moon was split

The Narration of Anas bin Malik

Imam Ahmad recorded that Anas bin Malik said, "The people of Makkah asked the Prophet for a miracle and the moon was split into two parts in Makkah. Allah said,

اقْتَرَبَتِ السَّاعَةُ وَانشَقَّ الْقَمَرُ

(The Hour has drawn near, and the moon has been cleft asunder.)" Muslim also collected this Hadith. Al-Bukhari recorded that Anas bin Malik said, "The people of Makkah asked the Messenger of Allah ﷺ to produce a miracle, and he showed them the splitting of the moon into two parts, until they saw (the mount of) Hira' between them." This Hadith is recorded in the Two Sahihs with various chains of narration.

The Narration of Jubayr bin Mut`im

Imam Ahmad recorded that Jubayr bin Mut`im said, "The moon was split into two pieces during the time of Allah's Prophet ; a part of the moon was over one mountain and another part over another mountain. So they said, `Muhammad has taken us by his magic.' They then said, `If he was able to take us by magic, he will not be able to do so with all people."' Only Imam Ahmad recorded this Hadith with this chain of narration. Al-Bayhaqi used another chain of narration in a similar Hadith he collected in Ad-Dala'il.

The Narration of `Abdullah bin `Abbas

Al-Bukhari recorded that Ibn `Abbas said, "The moon was split during the time of the Prophet ." Al-Bukhari and Muslim collected this Hadith. Ibn Jarir recorded that Ibn `Abbas commented on Allah's saying:

اقْتَرَبَتِ السَّاعَةُ وَانشَقَّ الْقَمَرُ - وَإِن يَرَوْاْ ءَايَةً يُعْرِضُواْ وَيَقُولُواْ سِحْرٌ مُّسْتَمِرٌّ

(The Hour has drawn near, and the moon has been cleft asunder. And if they see a sign, they turn away and say: "This is magic, Mustamir.") "This occurred before the Hijrah; the moon was split and they saw it in two parts."

The Narration of `Abdullah bin `Umar Al-Hafiz Abu Bakr

Al-Bayhaqi recorded that `Abdullah bin `Umar commented on Allah's statement:

اقْتَرَبَتِ السَّاعَةُ وَانشَقَّ الْقَمَرُ

(The Hour has drawn near, and the moon has been cleft asunder.) "This occurred during the time of Allah's Messenger ﷺ; the moon was split in two parts. A part of it was before the mount and a part on the other side. The Prophet said,

«اللْهُمَّ اشْهَد»

(O Allah! Be witness.)" This is the narration that Muslim and At-Tirmidhi collected. At-Tirmidhi said, "Hasan Sahih."

The Narration of `Abdullah bin Mas`ud

Imam Ahmad recorded that Ibn Mas`ud said, "The moon was split in two parts during the time of Allah's Messenger ﷺ, and they saw its two parts. Allah's Messenger ﷺ said,

«اشْهَدُوا»

(Be witnesses.)" Al-Bukhari and Muslim collected this Hadith. Ibn Jarir recorded that `Abdullah (Ibn Mas`ud) said, "I saw the mountain between the two parts of the moon when it was split." Imam Ahmad recorded that `Abdullah said, "The moon was split during the time of Allah's Messenger ﷺ and I saw the mount between its two parts.

The Stubbornness of the idolators

Allah said,

وَإِن يَرَوْاْ ءَايَةً

(And if they see an Ayah), if they see proof, evidence and a sign,

يُعْرِضُواْ

(they turn away), they do not believe in it. Rather, they turn away from it, abandoning it behind their backs,

وَيَقُولُواْ سِحْرٌ مُّسْتَمِرٌّ

(and say: "This is magic, Mustamir.") They say, `the sign that we saw was magic, which was cast on us.' Mustamir, means, `will soon go away', according to Mujahid, Qatadah and several others. The Quraysh said that the cleaving of the moon was false and will soon diminish and fade away,

وَكَذَّبُواْ وَاتَّبَعُواْ أَهْوَآءَهُمْ

(They denied and followed their own lusts.), they rejected the truth when it came to them, following the ignorance and foolishness that their lusts and desires called them to. Allah's statement,

وَكُلُّ أَمْرٍ مُّسْتَقِرٌّ

(And every matter will be settled.) means, the good deeds will take their doers to all that is good and righteous, and similarly evil deeds will take their doers to all that is evil, according to Qatadah, while Ibn Jurayj said, "will settle according to its people." Mujahid commented on the meaning of,

وَكُلُّ أَمْرٍ مُّسْتَقِرٌّ

(And every matter will be settled.) by saying, "On the Day of Resurrection." Allah's statement,

وَلَقَدْ جَاءَهُمْ مِنَ الْأَنْبَاءِ

(And indeed there has come to them news); in this Qur'an, there has come to them the news of the earlier nations that disbelieved in their Messengers and the torment, punishment and affliction that befell them,

مَا فِيهِ مُزْدَجَرٌ

(wherein there is Muzdajar), wherein there are warnings and lessons to stop them from idolatry and persisting in denial,

حِكْمَةٌ بَـلِغَةٌ

(Perfect wisdom,) in that Allah guides whomever He wills and misguides whomever He wills,

فَمَا تُغْنِـى النُّذُرُ

(but warners benefit them not.) but the preaching of warnings does not benefit those upon whom Allah has written misery and sealed their hearts. Who can guide such people after Allah This Ayah is similar to Allah's statements,

قُلْ فَلِلَّهِ الْحُجَّةُ الْبَـلِغَةُ فَلَوْ شَآءَ لَهَدَاكُمْ أَجْمَعِينَ

(Say: "With Allah is the perfect proof and argument; had He so willed, He would indeed have guided you all.")(6:149) and,

وَمَا تُغْنِى الآيَـتُ وَالنُّذُرُ عَن قَوْمٍ لاَّ يُؤْمِنُونَ

(But neither Ayat nor warners benefit those who believe not.)(10:101)

The Hour has drawn near the Resurrection is close at hand and the moon has split it broke in two at Mount Abū Qubays and Qu‘ayqa‘ān as a sign for the Prophet s for it had been demanded of him and when it took place he said ‘Bear witness now!’ — as reported by the two Shaykhs al-Bukhārī and Muslim.

Linkage between Surah An-Najm and Surah Al-Qamar

Whereas the preceding Surah An-Najm had ended on a note of warning to disbelievers in the words: اَزِفَۃِ الاٰزِفَۃ azifat-il-` azifah, i.e., the Hour of their doom has drawn near, the present Surah opens with a similar sentence, "The Hour (of doom) has drawn near" and this statement is followed by one of its proofs, that is, the appearance of the miracle of the moon being split asunder. There are many signs of the Day of Doom; one of them is the advent of the last of the Prophets Sayyidna Muhammad ﷺ itself, as reported in a hadith 'I was sent like this with the last Hour' and he pointed with his middle and index fingers. There are many other Traditions mentioning that the advent of the Holy Prophet ﷺ is close to the Day of doom. Likewise, a great sign of Doomsday is the miracle of the Prophet ﷺ when he split the moon into two pieces, then he rejoined them. Also, the miracle of 'moon-splitting' is significant from another point of view: Just as Allah's power split the moon into two, so will planets and stars be destroyed by Him by breaking them into very small pieces which is not impossible, as has been proved by the miracle of splitting the moon.

The Phenomenon of Moon-Splitting: A Miracle

The disbelievers of Makkah asked the Messenger of Allah ﷺ to produce a proof in support of his claim, and he, with the dispensation of Allah, split the moon into two parts. This miracle is verified by the concluding part of verse 1: 'and the moon has been split asunder.' The incident has been narrated successively in Traditions of reliable authority, and reported by such learned Companions as ` Abdullah Ibn Masud, ` Abdullah Ibn ` Umar, Jubair Ibn Mut` im, ` Abdullah Ibn ` Abbas, Anas Ibn Malik ؓ and others. ` Abdullah Ibn Masud ؓ reports that he himself was present and witnessed when the Messenger of Allah ﷺ performed this miracle. Imams Tahawi and Ibn Kathir have stated that the reports narrating the phenomenon of 'moon-splitting' are mutawatir (i.e. it has been reported successively and uninterruptedly by such a large number of authorities that their concurrence on falsehood is inconceivable.) Therefore, this Prophetic miracle has been proved by incontrovertible evidence.

It was mentioned earlier that a large number of Traditions report the incident of 'moon-splitting', which may be summarized as follows: Whilst the Messenger of Allah ﷺ was sitting at Mina in Makkah, the pagans demanded that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ should produce a proof substantiating his claim. Allah split the moon in two parts. A part of the moon was over one mountain on the eastern side, and another part was over another mountain on the western side. Thus there was a mountain between the two parts. This incident took place on a moonlit night. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said to all who were present: 'Be witnesses'. When all the people saw the miracle clearly, the two pieces rejoined. It was not possible for any person with eyes to deny this clear miracle. However, the pagans said: 'Muhammad has ensorcelled us, but he cannot bewitch the whole world; so let us wait for people to come from the neighboring parts of the country and hear what they have to say'. (Baihaqi and Abu Dawud Tayalisi) Tayalisi records on the authority of ` Abdullah Ibn Masud ؓ that when travelers from the neighboring parts of the country arrived, they confirmed that they did see the moon in two parts. Some reports indicate that the miracle of 'moon-splitting' occurred twice, but more authentic reports confirm that the miracle occurred once only. (Bayan-ul-Quran) The following Traditions are worth noting, which have been taken from Ibn Kathir:

(1) Sayyidna Anas Ibn Malik ؓ narrates, as recorded in Sahib of Bukhari:

اِنَّ اَھلَ مَکَّۃَ سَاَلُوا رَسُولَ اللہِ ﷺ اَن ئُّرِیَھَمُ اٰیَۃً فَاَرَاھُمَ القَمَرَ شَقِّین حَّتّٰی رَاَوا حِرَاءَ بَینَھُمَا (بخاری و مسلم)

'The people of Makkah asked the Messenger of Allah ﷺ to show them a sign, and he split the moon into two parts until they saw the mount of Hira' between them'.

(2) Sayyidna ` Abdullah Ibn Masud ؓ narrates, as recorded in Sahihs of Bukhari and Muslim, and in Musnad of Ahmad,

اَنشَقَّ القَمَرُ عَلٰی عَھد رَسُولَ اللہِ ﷺ شِقَّینِ حَتّٰی نَظَرُوا اِلَیہِ فقَالَ رَسُولَ اللہِ ﷺ اَشھَدُوا۔

"The moon was split in two parts during the time of Allah's Messenger ﷺ ، and they saw its two parts. Allah's Messenger ﷺ said: 'Be witnesses'."

Ibn Jarir has cited this report with the following addition:

کُنَّا مَعَ رَسُولَ اللہِ ﷺ بِمِنٰی فَاشَقَّ القَمَرُ فَاَخَذَت فِرقَۃُ خَلفَ الجَبَلِ فقالَ رَسُولَ اللہِ ﷺ اَشھَدُوا اَشھَدُوا۔

"Sayyidna ` Abdullah Ibn Masud ؓ says: 'We were with Allah's Messenger ﷺ at Mina. Suddenly the moon split in two pieces, and one piece went away behind the mountain. Allah's Messenger ﷺ said: "Be witnesses; be witnesses.'

(3) The narration of Sayyidna ` Abdullah Ibn Masud ؓ is recorded by Baihaqi and Abu Dawud Tayalisi in the following words:

اَنشَقَّ القَمَرُ بِمَکَّۃَ حَتّٰی صارَ فِرقَتَینِ فَقَالَ کُفَّارُ قُرَیشِ اَھل مَکَّۃ ھٰذَا سِحرَکُم بَہٰ اِبنُ اَبِی کَبشَۃَ اَنظَرُوا السُّفَّرَ فَاِن کَانُوا رَأوا ما رَاَیتُم فقد صَدَقَ وَ اِن کَانُوا لَم یَرَوا مِثلَ مَا رَایتُم فَھُوَسِحرُ سَحرَکُم بَہٰ فَسُیِٔلَ السُّفَّارُ قَالَ وَ قَدِمُوا کُلِّ جِھَۃِ فَقَالُو رَاَیٔنَا۔ (ابن کثیر)

"In Makkah, the moon was split into two parts. The disbelieving Quraish claimed: 'This is sorcery. Ibn Abi Kabshah [ the Prophet ﷺ ] has ensorcelled you. Therefore, wait for the neighboring travelers to arrive. If they too have seen the two pieces of the moon, so he has spoken the truth. But if they have not seen the parts of the moon, then this is indeed a magical illusion which he has performed on you.' When the travelers arrived and were asked about it, they all confirmed that they did see the two parts of the moon.' :(Ibn Kathir)

Criticism against the Miracle of 'Moon-Splitting'

The critics have raised two types of criticism against the miracle: one is based on the assumptions of Greek philosophers, and the other is based on layman's thinking.

The deviant Greek philosophers assume that it is not possible for the heaven and other celestial bodies to split or crack, and rejoin. But this is merely an idea unsubstantiated by any solid or concrete proof. Whatever proof or evidence the philosophers have advanced is flimsy, shaky, inadequate and unsubstantial. The Islamic philosophers [ mutakallimin ] have broken down their arguments and have shown that they are baseless, false and absurd. They could not prove by any rational argument that 'moon-splitting' is impossible. Indeed, illiterate people regard every unusual thing as impossible. Obviously, the very meaning of mu’ jizah or a prophetic miracle is that it is an unusual event that is abnormal and out of general habit, which cannot be performed by common people. Any ordinary work which can be performed at any time cannot be called mu’ jizah or miracle.

The other criticism based on a layman's thinking is that if such a wonderful event had taken place, its knowledge would have been commonplace and would have found its mention in the books of history, but they say that they have found no such thing recorded.

Such a thinking is too simplistic which lacks careful analysis. A careful analysis shows that the event had occurred in Makkah at night. At that particular moment, in many parts of the world it must have been day time where and when the question of witnessing this event does not even arise. In many other countries, it must have been middle of the night, or last part of the night when the people normally sleep. Furthermore, people who are awake also do not stare at the moon all the time. Splitting of the moon would not make any difference on the moonlight spread on the earth, so that it would attract people's attention. The event took place suddenly and lasted for a short while. It is a daily experience that in particular countries at different times lunar eclipse takes place. Nowadays a forecast is made about its occurrence well in advance, yet there are hundreds of thousands of people who are absolutely unaware of it. Can this be the proof that the lunar eclipse did not take place? Thus if the event is not recorded in world history books, its occurrence cannot be denied or refuted.

Besides, the event is recorded in the famous and reliable history book of India called 'Tarikh-e-Farishtah'. It has been mentioned in this book that the Maharajah, a native ruler, of Malabar had witnessed this phenomenon that night with his own eyes, and had it entered in his diary. This incident was the cause of his embracing Islam. Earlier on the narratives of Abu Dawud Tayalisi and Baihaqi were quoted about the pagans of Makkah themselves who inquired from the people arriving from the neighboring parts of the country and they confirmed and verified that they had seen it. Allah, the Pure and the Exalted, knows best!

(The hour drew nigh and the moon was rent in twain) [54:1]. Abu Hakim �Aqil ibn Muhammad al-Jurjani informed us (through verbal authorisation)> Abu�l-Faraj al-Qadi> Muhammad ibn Jarir> al-Husayn ibn Abi Yahya al-Maqdisi> Yahya ibn Hammad> Abu �Awanah> al-Mughirah> Abu�l-Duha> Masruq> �Abd Allah who said: �The moon was split at the time of the Messenger of Allah, Allah bless him and give him peace, so the Quraysh said: �This is an act of sorcery from the son of Abu Kabshah; he has cast a spell on you. Ask, therefore, the travellers whether they saw the moon split�. They asked some travellers and they confirmed it. Allah, exalted is He, then revealed (The hour drew nigh and the moon was rent in twain. And if they behold a portent they turn away and say: Prolonged illusion) [54:1-2]�.