Question

What is the meaning of شق جفنة in the following Hadith?

عن أبي هريرة رضي الله عنه، قال تذاكرنا ليلة القدر عند رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم فقال أيكم يذكر حين طلع القمر، وهو مثل شق جفنة

Answer

This narration is recorded in Sahih Muslim.

Sayyiduna Abu Hurayrah (radiyallahu ‘anhu) reports: “We were discussing Laylatul Qadr in the presence of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) and he said, ‘Who among you recalls when the moon appears/rises looking like a piece of a bowl.'”

(Sahih Muslim, Hadith: 1170)

“شق جفنة” refers to a piece/half of a bowl. Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) indicated to the Sahabah (radiyallahu ‘anhum) that Laylatul Qadr is on those nights when the moon fits this description. The commentators explain the moon only rises in this manner towards the latter part of the month.

(Refer: Sahih Muslim with Al Minhaj, Hadith: 2771 and Fathul Mulhim, Hadith: 2755)

And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.

Answered by: Mawlana Suhail Motala

Approved by: Mawlana Muhammad Abasoomar