Did the Prophet Prostrate at Birth? A Hadith Examination

Critical Analysis of the Narration Regarding the Prophet’s Prostration at Birth
Authored by: Ḥāfiẓ Muḥammad Anwar Zāhid ḥafiẓahullāh

❖ Prostrating at Birth​

It is narrated that Āminah (may Allah be pleased with her) said:


"When the Prophet ﷺ was born, a light shone, illuminating the entire East and West. He fell to the ground with both hands propped,
(possibly indicating he fell into prostration),
then picked up a handful of soil,
(which some Mawlid authors interpret as a symbolic claim over the earth),
and lifted his head toward the sky."

❖ Verification of the Narration (Taḥqīq al-Ḥadīth):​

This narration is mentioned in multiple versions by Ibn Saʿd, but:


➤ None of the chains are strong.
➤ Similar reports are found in Abū Nuʿaym and Ṭabarānī, but they suffer from the same weakness in isnād.

✔ Summary:​

The narration claiming that the Prophet ﷺ:


✓ Prostrated at birth,
✓ Grabbed a handful of earth, and
✓ Raised his head toward the sky


…is reported in weak and unauthenticated chains across Ibn Saʿd, Abū Nuʿaym, and Ṭabarānī.


Hence, this cannot be accepted as authentic, and no theological or historical conclusions should be drawn from it.