Extraordinary Events during the Birth of the Prophet (s.a.w.)

بِسۡمِ ٱللهِ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

Shaykh ‘Utsman Nuri Tufbas wrote, in “The Prophet Muhammad Muswthafa the Elect (s.a.w.)”, certain extraordinary incidents came to pass in the sacred night in which the Prophet (s.a.w.) graced the universe, some of which will be mentioned now. 

According to her own statement, neither during her pregnancy, nor while in labour did Sayyidatina Aminah bint Wahb (r.a.) undergo any difficulty; and as the Messenger (s.a.w.) made his way to the world, she saw a light coming out of her that illumined East and West.  The Prophet (s.a.w.) was delivered as pure as can be, with his hands placed on the ground and head turned to the sky.  Iblis, thereupon, let out a piercing shriek, louder than he had ever done before. 

Mubazan, the high priest of Persia, saw a dream where a pack of wild camels, driving a flock of horses in their wake, were crossing the Tigris, and spreading across the Persian lands.  The Samawa Valley was flooded.  Fourteen pillars from the palace of the Khousrau of Persia collapsed.  The great fire that had burnt ceaselessly for a thousand years in the Persian temple was snuffed out. 

According to the words of Sayyidatina ‘Aishah bint Abu Bakr (r.a.), on the night of his birth, a Jewish trader from Makkah saw the rising of a star which he recognised as an indication of the awaited arrival, whereupon he went to one of Quraysh’s meeting spots, asking, “Is there any one of you whose wife gave birth to a child tonight?” 

“Not that we know of”, they said. 

“Listen to me carefully now, Quraysh”, then, remarked the Jew, “the Prophet of the Final Era is supposed to have been born tonight.  Between his shoulder blades is a mole, a blend of black and yellow, covered with hair.” 

Amazed at the words of the Jew, those present separated, going their own way.  Upon returning home, they told of the encounter to their families, some of whom remarked, “A boy by the name of Muhammad was born tonight, the son of ‘Abdullah.” 

Thereupon they went to the Jew’s house.  “A child was born in Makkah.  Have you heard?” they asked. 

“Was he born before, or after my informing you?” 

“Before; and his name is Ahmad!” 

The Jew requested to be taken to Sayyidatina Aminah’s (r.a.) house.  She showed the sacred baby to them.  Seeing with his own eyes the Seal of Prophethood between the baby’s shoulder blades, the Jew fainted.  When he regained his senses, he was asked what had happened.  “By God, prophethood has now left the Children of Israel.  So has the Scripture!  It is written that the Last Prophet will defeat the Jews, and destroy the reputation of their scholars.  Arabs shall attain a grand honour and dignity through prophethood.  Rejoice Quraysh; for by God, you are set to acquire a might whose legend shall resonate through East and West.”  This is from the works of Shaykh Abu ‘Abdullah Muhammad ibn Sa’d (r.a.), and Imam Abu ‘Abdullah Muhammad ibn ‘Abdullah al-Hakim an-Nishaburi (r.a.). 

All the Makkans were happy with the birth of the Prophet (r.a.).  Even Abu Lahab ‘Abd al-‘Uzza ibn ‘Abd al-Muththalib rewarded the slave girl, Tsuwaybah (r.a.), who brought him the good news of his nephew’s birth, by setting her free.  Sayyidina ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Abbas (r.a.) provided the following account in relation: “I saw Abu Lahab in my dream, a year after his death.  He was in a horrid state.  ‘What is your state?’ I asked him. 

‘My punishment is lightened on Monday’s, for setting free Tsuwaybah in joy of Muhammad’s birth.  That day, I am provided with refreshment with water that sprinkles forth from the small hole between my thumb and index fingers’, he replied.’”  This is found in Hafizh Abu al-Fida’ ‘Imad ad-Din Isma‘il ibn ‘Umar ibn Katsir’s (r.a.) al-Bidayah wa an-Nihaya; and Shaykh ibn Sa’d’s (r.a.) Thabaqat al-Kabir.