The Moon-Splitting Miracle

The moon splitting was a miracle with which Allah The Almighty supported the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam. The moon split into two parts, and some Companions saw the mountain of Hiraa’ between them. This miracle took place before the prophetic emigration when the Makkan disbelievers asked the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, to provide them with evidence of the truthfulness of his Da‘wah (call). The Hadeeth reads: “The people of Makkah asked the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, to provide them with a sign [that would prove the truthfulness of his message]. He consequently showed them the moon divided into two parts until they saw the mountain of Hiraa’ between them.” [Al-Bukhaari and Muslim]

Ibn Mas‘ood, may Allah be pleased with him, said, “During the lifetime of the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, the moon split into two parts – one of them was above the mountain and the other at the bottom of it. The Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, then said:‘Bear witness [to that]’” [Al-Bukhaari and Muslim]

Ibn Mas‘ood, may Allah be pleased with him, also said, “I saw the mountain of Hiraa’ between the two split halves of the moon.”

The moon splitting is one of the signs of the hour that have, of course, already taken place. It was narrated that the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said: “Five [signs of the Hour] have occurred: the smoke, the moon splitting, [the defeat of] the Romans, Al-Batshah, and Al-Lizaam.” [Al-Bukhaari and Muslim]

Al-Lizaam refers to either aridity or the sticking of corpses to one another at the battle of Badr. Al-Batshah (the mighty grasp) refers to the killing that occurred at the battle of Badr.

The moon splitting is mentioned in the Quran coupled with the approach of the Hour. Allah The Almighty Says (what means): {The Hour has come near, and the moon has split [in two]} [Quran 54:1]

However, because of their natural belying and obstinacy, the Qurayshis turned away and described the incident as magic. Allah The Almighty Says (what means): {And if they see a miracle, they turn away and say, ‘Passing magic’} [Quran 54:2]

Their argument, of course, is no more than a refutable malicious allegation that was even refuted in the past. Abu Is’haaq Az-Zajjaaj, may Allah have mercy upon him, said, “Some of the religious innovators agreed with the non-Muslims in negating the incident of the moon splitting. Reason should not deny this in any way, for the moon is created by Allah The Almighty who does whatever He wills as He will wrap it up in darkness and destroy it on the Day of Resurrection.”

Some have argued that if the moon had truly split, it would have been consecutively narrated by a huge number of narrators and all the people on earth would have known it – and knowing it would not have been exclusive to the Makkans. This, however, is refuted by the fact that the incident took place during the night, while most people were asleep, doors were shut and there were very few people who examined the sky. There may be a lunar eclipse and great stars appear at night while none witnesses this except a few people. Also, the moon splitting was a miracle that took place at night for obstinate people who asked for it, so none but them needed to witness it. The moon that night might have been in a place in the sky that allowed it to be seen only in some places, just as the solar eclipse appears in some places and disappears in others.

Al-Khattaabi, may Allah have mercy upon him, was quoted as saying, “The moon splitting is a great miracle which is hardly comparable to any other of the miracles of the prophets. This is due to its occurrence in the kingdom of heaven away from the norms of this complex [earthly] world – so none longs for reaching it by any means, and, therefore, taking it as a proof is even more binding.”

Some modern studies, which are interested in studying the surface of the moon, proved the existence of traces of ruptures and splitting. This motivated some people to embrace Islam when they knew that the Quran mentioned this incident centuries ago. Exalted is Allah who showed evidence of His Divinity and great creation. Allah The Almighty Says (what means): {We will show them Our signs in the horizons and within themselves until it becomes clear to them that it is the truth. But is it not sufficient concerning your Lord that He is, over all things, a Witness?} [Quran 41:53]