Question
Is there any proof in Hadith that Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) pointed his finger to the moon during the splitting of the moon?
This is famously mentioned but I cannot find it in the narrations I have checked.
Answer
I have not seen a Hadith which explicitly mentions that Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) pointed at the moon. The narrations merely state that when the people of Makkah asked Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) for a sign, the moon split.
After citing these narrations, Hafiz Ibn Kathir (rahimahullah) states:
والقمر حين انشق لم يزايل السماء غير أنه حين أشار إليه النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم انشق عن إشارته فصار فرقتين
(Al Bidayah Wan Nihayah, vol. 3 pg. 361)
This statement of Hafiz Ibn Kathir (rahimahullah) clearly states that the moon split when Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) pointed. Perhaps this is what is understood from the narrations.
And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.
Answered by: Moulana Suhail Motala
Approved by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar
Checked by: Moulana Haroon Abasoomar