Eleventh Sign
As the Tenth Sign explained miracles of the Prophet (UWBP) related to trees, the eleventh Sign will describe how rocks and mountains among lifeless creatures also demonstrated prophetic miracles. Here we cite a few instances out of many.
First Example
The great scholar of the Maghrib, Qadi Iyad, in his al‑Shifa’ al-Sharif, with a celebrated chain of authorities, and great imams like Bukhari report through an authentic line of transmission, from Ibn Mas‘ud, the Prophet’s (UWBP) servant: “While eating together with Allah the Most High’s Noble Messenger (Upon whom be blessings and peace), we used to hear the food glorifying Allah.”
Second Example
Accurate books of Hadith report from Anas and Abu Dharr through an authentic line of transmission: “Anas, the Prophet’s (UWBP) servant, said: ‘We were together with Allah the Most High’s Messenger (Upon whom be blessings and peace) when he took up a handful of small stones and they began to praise Allah in his blessed palm. Then he put them in Abu Bakr the Veracious’s hand and again they glorified Allah the Most High.’” In his line of transmission, Abu Dharr al‑Ghifari says: “Then he put them into ‘Umar’s hand, and again they glorified Allah. Then he took them and put them on the ground, and they were silent. Then he again took them, and put them in ‘Uthman’s hand, where again they began to glorify Allah.” Abu Dharr and Anas relate: “He put them in our hands and they were silent.”
Third Example
It is established by a sound report from ‘Ali, Jabir, and ‘A’isha al‑Siddiqa: “Rocks and mountains would say to Allah the Most High’s Messenger (Upon whom be blessings and peace), Peace be upon you, O Messenger of Allah!
In ‘Ali’s chain of narration, it says: “Whenever we went around in the environs of Mecca in the early of days of his prophethood, the trees and rocks we encountered would declare: Peace be upon you, O Messenger of Allah!
While in his chain of transmission, Jabir says: “Whenever the Noble Messenger (UWBP) came across rocks and trees, they would prostrate before him, that is, demonstrating obedience to him, they would declare: Peace be upon you, O Messenger of Allah! In one of Jabir’s narrations, the Messenger (Upon whom be blessings and peace) said: I know a rock that salutes me. Some people said that he intended the Black Stone of the Ka‘ba.
In her line of transmission, ‘A’isha said: “Allah the Most High’s Messenger (Upon whom be blessings and peace) said: When Gabriel brought me the message, I would never pass by a rock or a tree without it saying, ‘Peace be upon you, O Messenger of Allah!
Fourth Example
Reported through an authentic line of narrators from ‘Abbas: “Allah the Most High’s Messenger (UWBP) covered ‘Abbas and his four sons (‘Abdullah, ‘Ubaydullah, Fadl, and Qutham) with a piece of cloth called mula’at, praying: O my Sustainer! This is my uncle; protect through me these his sons and veil them from the Fire, as I veil them with this cloth! The roof, door, and the walls of the house joined in the prayer at once, saying, Amen! Amen!”
Fifth Example
Accurate books, notably Bukhari, Ibn Hibban, Abu Da’ud, and Tirmidhi, unanimously report from Anas, Abu Hurayra, ‘Uthman Dhi’n‑Nurayn, and Sa‘d b. Zayd, from among the ten promised Paradise: “Allah the Most High’s Noble Messenger (UWBP) climbed Mount Uhud together with Abu Bakr al‑Siddiq, ‘Umar al-Faruq, and ‘Uthman Dhi’n-Nurayn. Either due to their awesomeness, or out of its own joy and happiness, the mountain began to tremble and stir. Allah the Most High’s Messenger said: Steady! For upon you are a prophet, a veracious one (siddiq), and two martyrs!
This tradition is giving news from the Unseen that ‘Umar and ‘Uthman were going to be martyred. As a supplement to this tradition, it is narrated that when Allah the Most High’s Noble Messenger (Upon whom be blessings and peace) migrated from Mecca pursued by the unbelievers, they climbed the mountain called Thubir. The mountain said: “Leave me, O Messenger of Allah! I am afraid that Allah the Most High will punish me if they strike you on me.” Then Mount Hira called to him: Come to me, O Messenger of Allah! For this reason, men of intuition feel fear on Mount Thubir and a sense of safety on Mount Hira.
As can be understood from this example, these vast mountains are each an individual servant of Allah the Most High; each glorifies and praises Him; each is charged with duties. They recognized and loved Allah the Most High’s Messenger (UWBP); they are not without purpose or owner.
Sixth Example
Reported through an authentic line of transmission from ‘Abdullah b. ‘Umar: “While delivering the sermon from the pulpit, Allah the Most High’s Messenger (UWBP) recited the verse: No just estimate have they made of Allah, such as is due to Him: on the Day of Judgement the whole earth will be but His handful, and the heavens will be rolled up in His right hand, and said: Allah the Compeller is exalting Himself and saying: I am the Compeller! I am the Compeller! I am the Mighty! I am the Most High! As he said this, the pulpit so trembled and shook that we were frightened that Allah the Most High’s Messenger (UWBP) would fall.”
Seventh Example
It is reported through an authentic line of narrators from Ibn ‘Abbas, known as the Learned One of the Muslim Community and Interpreter of the Qur’an, and Ibn Mas‘ud, the Prophet’s (UWBP) servant and one of the great scholars of the Companions, that they said: “On the conquest of Mecca, there were three hundred and sixty idols around the Ka‘ba, fixed with lead to the stone. That day, the Noble Messenger (Upon whom be blessings and peace) pointed to each of the idols in turn with a stick he was holding curved like a bow, saying, The Truth has arrived and falsehood has perished; indeed, falsehood is ever bound to perish. “Whichever one he pointed to, it fell down. If he pointed to the face of the idol, it fell backwards; otherwise it fell on its face. Thus they all toppled over and fell to the ground.
Eighth Example
This is the famous story of the well‑known monk Bahira. Before the beginning of his prophethood, Allah the Most High’s Noble Messenger (Upon whom be blessings and peace) was travelling towards Damascus to trade together with his uncle Abu Talib and some of the Quraysh. They rested when they came near the church of Bahira the monk. Bahira, who was a hermit and did not mix with people, suddenly came out. He saw Muhammad the Trustworthy (UWBP) among the caravan, and said: “He is the Lord of the World; he will be a prophet.” The Quraysh asked: “How do you know?” The holy monk replied: “I saw a small cloud over the caravan as you were coming. When you sat down, the cloud moved toward him and cast its shadow over him. I also saw trees and rocks prostrate themselves before him, which they only do before prophets.”
There are at least eighty examples similar to these eight instances. When they are put together, they form a chain so strong that no doubt can break it or shake it. Taken as a whole, this sort of miracle, that is, the speaking of inanimate beings in order to testify to Muhammad’s (UWBP) prophethood, expresses the same certainty as ‘consensus in meaning.’ Each example is strengthened by the whole. Yes, a slender pole becomes strong when put together with stout poles. If he joins the army and becomes a soldier, a weak, powerless man gains strength enough to challenge a thousand men.