Miracles of Prophet Muhammad

In Islamic terminology, the miracles performed by Messengers and Prophets of Allah are known as “M‘ujizāt” (Singular, M‘ujizah). Sulaiman Nadwi, a great author and scholar, has described 200 miracles of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) in his book Sirat-un-Nabi. According to him, 45 out of 200 have been described in the holy Quran and about 155 in authentic traditions (Ahadith). Here, we are going to describe only some of the important miracles of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) because it is very difficult to mention all the miracles due to brevity.

The literary meaning of M‘ujizah

The term M‘ujizah that we translate in English as a miracle is derived from the root word “‘Ijz” which means “to be unable” or “to lack in strength for”. Therefore, M‘ujizah is an act that is not within the ordinary comprehension of man and which cannot be proved in materialistic terms or in an ordinary and general way. In the holy Quran, a M‘ujizah is generally termed “Āyat” which means sign.[1]

Miracles of Prophet Muhammad mentioned in the Holy Quran

Isra’ and M‘iraj

The Isra’ and M‘iraj are among the most remarkable miracles of Prophet Muhammad (SAW). Actually, Isra’ and M‘iraj are the two events of a Night Journey that Prophet Muhammad (SAW) took during a part of the night. It signifies Prophet Muhammad’s (SAW) extraordinary journey from Mecca to Jerusalem and/or from the earth to the heavens, both of body and soul together. In the Israʾ part of the journey, Muhammad (SAW) traveled from the Sacred Mosque (Mecca) to the Al-Aqsa Mosque (Jerusalem) where he leads other Prophets in prayer. In the M‘iraj part of the journey, he ascends to heaven where he individually greets the Prophets.[2] It has been described in almost all the books of Sirah books and also in authentic books of Ahadith. It is mentioned in the holy Quran in such a way,

“Glory to (Allah) Who did take His servant for a journey by night from the Sacred Mosque to the farthest Mosque, whose precincts We did bless,- in order that We might show him some of Our Signs: for He is the One Who heareth and seeth (all things)”. [3]

The Holy Quran as a Miracle of Prophet Muhammad (SAW)

The holy Quran has declared in many places that it is a miracle. The miracle of the holy Quran stands until the Day of Judgment. It is the only revealed Book that is preserved in its pure form for over fourteen hundred years. Nobody can make changes to it as Allah promised,

“We have, without doubt, sent down the Message; and We will assuredly guard it [from corruption].”[4]

At another place, it is mentioned in the holy Quran,

“Nay, this is a Glorious Quran, [Inscribed] in a Tablet Preserved!”[5]

The holy Quran challenges all human beings and Jinns to produce a book similar to it if they could, it says,   

“Say: ‘If the whole of mankind and Jinns were to gather together to produce the like of this Qur’an, they could not produce the like thereof, even if they backed up each other with help and support’.”[6]

Splitting of the Moon into Two Pieces

The splitting of the moon into two pieces (شق القمر) is another noteworthy miracle performed by Prophet Muhammad (SAW). Once the non-believers of Mecca asked the Prophet (SAW) to show them a sign related to his Prophethood. Then, he pointed his finger toward the moon and it split up into two pieces. In the holy Quran, it is described as,

“The Hour [of Judgment] is nigh, and the moon is cleft asunder. But if they see a Sign, they turn away, and say, ‘This is [but] transient magic’.”[7]

There are some other miracles of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) that are mentioned in the holy Quran, for instance,[8]

• The prophecy about the victory of the Roman Empire over the Persians.
• Flights of Birds over Abraha’s army and striking them with stones of baked clay.
• “The expansion of the chest” (Sharah Sadr) of the Messenger of Allah in order to enlighten it with the Divine Light.
• Coming down of angels during various battles.
• The great dust storm during the battle of Trench due to which the confederate forces of non-believers lost heart and fled.

Miracles of Prophet Muhammad mentioned in the books of Narration (Ahadith)

• The Opening of the Chest of Prophet Muhammad (SAW).
• Gushing out Springs of Water from His Fingers.
• Greetings (Salam) by Trees and Stones.
• Crying and Weeping by a Dead Stem of Date Tree due to its Love for Prophet Muhammad (SAW).
• Information by Roasted Flesh of Goat about the Poison.
• Little Food Became Enough for Thousands of Persons.[9]

There are many more miracles of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) described in the holy Quran, books of Ahadith, and books of Sirah.

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REFERENCES

[1] Khan, Dr. Majid Ali. Muhammad: The Final Messenger, New Delhi, 2007, p. 343.

[2] Ed. Martin, Richard C. Encyclopedia of Islam and the Muslim World, Volume 2 (M-Z, Index), Macmillan Reference USA, 2004.

[3] Al-Quran, 17:1.

[4] Al-Quran, 15:9.

[5] Al-Quran, 85:21-22.

[6] AL-Quran, 17:88.

[7] Al-Quran, 54:1-2.

[8] Khan, Dr. Majid Ali. Muhammad: The Final Messenger, New Delhi, 2007, pp. 353-354.

[9] For more details see Khan, Dr. Majid Ali. Muhammad: The Final Messenger, New Delhi, 2007, pp.343-359. Sirat-un-Nabi by Shibli N‘umani.