Miracles
Signs and miracles (muʿjizāt) that affirmed the prophethood of Muhammad ﷺ.
Allah granted the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) many signs (āyāt) and miracles (muʿjizāt) as proof of his prophethood. The greatest and eternal miracle is the Quran itself—inimitable in its eloquence, preserved in its wording, and a guidance and mercy for all time. In addition, the Seerah and hadith literature report numerous other miracles: some are mentioned in the Quran, others in mutawātir or well-known narrations. Below are the most well-known miracles, with brief context.
Miracles in detail
- The Quran
- The eternal speech of Allah, revealed to the Prophet (peace be upon him) through Jibril. It is inimitable (iʿjāz): no one can produce its like. It has been preserved word for word and is recited and memorised by millions. Its eloquence, its knowledge of the unseen (past and future), its laws, and its guidance are the supreme miracle. Allah says, “Say: If mankind and the jinn gathered to produce the like of this Quran, they could not produce the like of it, even if they were helpers of one another” (Al-Isra 17:88).
- Isrāʾ and Miʿrāj
- The Night Journey (Isrāʾ) from the Sacred Mosque in Makkah to the Farthest Mosque (Bayt al-Maqdis) and the Ascension (Miʿrāj) through the heavens. The Prophet (peace be upon him) was taken by night on al-Burāq; he led the previous prophets in prayer at Bayt al-Maqdis, then ascended through the heavens and met Ādam, Yūsuf, Yaḥyā and ʿĪsā, Yūnus, Hārūn, Mūsā, and Ibrāhīm. He was brought near to Allah and received the command of the five daily prayers. The event is mentioned in the Quran (Al-Isra 17:1) and is a cornerstone of Islamic belief.
- Splitting of the moon
- The disbelievers in Makkah demanded a sign. The Prophet (peace be upon him) pointed to the moon and it split into two parts, so that each group saw a part. The Quran says, “The Hour has drawn near and the moon has been split” (Al-Qamar 54:1). The miracle was witnessed and is reported in hadith; some later scholars explained that it was a real splitting visible to the eye.
- Water from his fingers
- On several occasions, when the Muslims had no or little water, the Prophet (peace be upon him) placed his hand in a vessel or put his fingers in the ground and water flowed so that many could perform ablution or drink. This occurred at places such as al-Ḥudaybiyyah and during the campaign of Tabūk. The narrations are well known and indicate Allah’s support for the Prophet and the believers.
- Multiplication of food
- There are reports that small amounts of food—e.g. a few dates or a small quantity of bread—sufficed for large numbers of people in the Prophet’s presence. Those who ate were filled and there was leftover. Such events are cited as signs of his prophethood and Allah’s blessing.
- Healing
- The Prophet (peace be upon him) prayed for the sick and the injured; many were healed by Allah’s permission. He would blow and recite (e.g. the last two surahs) and place his hand on the afflicted. He also taught the believers to seek refuge in Allah and to use the Quran and duʿāʾ as remedies.
- Greeting of stones and trees
- There are reports that before his prophethood and during his mission, stones and trees would greet the Prophet (peace be upon him). These are among the signs that Allah gave him to prepare him and others for his mission. Scholars have discussed the authenticity and meaning of specific narrations.
- Prophecies
- The Prophet (peace be upon him) foretold many events that later came true: the conquest of Persia and Byzantium, the fate of certain individuals, the fitan (trials) of the Ummah, and signs of the Last Hour. The Quran also contains prophecies (e.g. the victory at Badr, the opening of Makkah). The fulfilment of these is part of the proof of his truthfulness.
- The weeping of the trunk
- When the Prophet (peace be upon him) moved from preaching while leaning on a palm trunk to using a pulpit (minbar), the trunk is said to have wept or groaned out of longing for him. He went to it and comforted it. The report is well known and is cited as one of the signs (āyāt) given to the Prophet.