Evaluation of Unsubstantiated Narrations on the Birth of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)

Compiled by: Hafiz Muhammad Anwar Zahid, حفظ الله

Concern of Prophet Muhammad's (PBUH) Grandfather, Abdul Muttalib​

Kundhir bin Saeed narrates from his father: "I performed Hajj during the era of ignorance and saw a man circumambulating the Kaaba, supplicating:
'رب رد الى راكبي محمد . . . . رده الى واصطنع عندي يدا'

'My Lord, return my mount to me with Muhammad (PBUH). Bring him back to me and grant Your blessings upon him.
I asked who he was, and the people replied, 'He is Abdul Muttalib bin Hashim. His camel has gone missing, and he has sent his grandson Muhammad (PBUH) to search for it.' The narrator explains that Abdul Muttalib continued praying until Muhammad (PBUH) returned with the camel. Upon his return, Abdul Muttalib expressed relief, stating, 'My son, I have never been as worried as I was during your absence today. By Allah, I will never send you for any task again. My son, never part from me.'"

Hadith Verification
[Isnad is weak. Referenced in Mustadrak Al-Hakim 2/603-604, Hadith No. 4184]
In this narration, Abbas bin Abdul Rahman, a narrator, is unknown. Although Al-Hakim and Al-Dhahabi considered it authentic, the chain remains weak.

Vision of the Palaces of Syria​

When the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was born, the mother of Abdur Rahman bin Auf, Shifa bint Awf, was present with Amina during the birth. She narrates, "At the time of birth, I heard a mysterious voice, and the whole earth, from east to west, lit up before me until I could see the palaces of Syria. As I wrapped him in cloth, darkness fell, and I was struck with fear. Soon, a light emerged from the right side, and I heard a voice asking where they had gone. The reply came, 'To the west,' and again I trembled with fear. Then the voice asked where they had gone, and the reply was 'To the east.'"

Hadith Verification
Sayyid Sulaiman Nadwi writes:"This story appears in Abu Nu'aim, with a middle narrator, Ahmad bin Muhammad bin Abdul Aziz al-Zuhri, who is unreliable. The other narrators are also unknown."
[Seerat al-Nabi, Vol 3, pg 243; Dala’il al-Nubuwwah, Urdu, pg 139]

Incident of the Amulet Around the Neck​

Amina reportedly dreamt that someone told her, "O Amina! Your child will be the leader of all creation. When he is born, name him Muhammad or Ahmad and place an amulet around his neck." Upon waking, she found gold inscribed with poetry.

Hadith Verification
Sayyid Sulaiman Nadwi comments:"This incident is recorded by Abu Nu'aim, narrated by Abu Ghaziyah Muhammad bin Musa al-Ansari, whom Imam Bukhari considered as narrating munkar (unacceptable) traditions. Ibn Hibban noted that he fabricated Hadiths and attributed them to trustworthy narrators."

Stars Descending to Earth​

According to one narration, Uthman bin Abi al-As's mother was present during the Prophet’s birth. She recalls, "When Amina experienced labor, it felt as though all the stars were descending upon the earth. I feared they might fall upon us. After his birth, the entire house was filled with light."

Hadith Verification
This account is found in Abu Nu'aim, al-Tabarani, and al-Bayhaqi. However, its chain includes Yaqub bin Muhammad al-Zuhri, who lacks credibility, and Abdul Aziz bin Umar, a storyteller known for fabrications.

Feeling No Hardship During Pregnancy​

Amina stated that she did not feel any signs of pregnancy nor the usual discomfort associated with it, except for slight changes in her usual routine.

Hadith Verification
Sayyid Sulaiman Nadwi mentions:"This account is referenced in al-Mawahib al-Ladunniyah by Qastalani, attributed to Muhammad bin Ishaq and Abu Nu'aim. However, the current published editions of Ibn Hisham and Abu Nu'aim’s Dala’il do not contain this event. This story likely originated from Ibn Sa'd through the narrator al-Waqidi, whose unreliability is well-known."

Were There Other Children Born to Amina?​

In a narration contrasting the above, Amina reportedly mentioned that she had carried several children before, but none were as burdensome as this one.

Hadith Verification
Sayyid Sulaiman Nadwi writes:"This narration contradicts the widely accepted fact that Amina had only one child. Additionally, the narration is incomplete and unreliable. Similar stories attributed to Shaddad bin Aws also suffer from unreliable chains."

Birth Year Phenomenon: No Girls Born on Earth​

It is claimed that during the Prophet’s birth year, Allah instructed the angels to open the gates of the heavens and paradises, and signs of glad tidings spread. That year, all women gave birth only to sons. Trees bore fruit, heavenly pillars were erected from precious stones, and the Kaaba’s idols toppled.

Hadith Verification
This tale appears in al-Mawahib al-Ladunniyah and al-Khasa’is al-Kubra, sourced from Abu Nu'aim, yet it is absent in the current printed versions of Dala’il al-Nubuwwah by Abu Nu'aim. Furthermore, this narration traces back to the unreliable narrator Amr bin Qutaybah, whom scholars like al-Suyuti have criticized for being untrustworthy.

Animals Speaking​

A lengthy tale attributed to Abdullah bin Abbas narrates that on the night of the Prophet's conception, animals in Quraysh began speaking, proclaiming his arrival. Sorceresses lost their knowledge, and tyrant kings fell silent.

Hadith Verification
Sayyid Sulaiman Nadwi observes:"I have reluctantly included this tale as it is a common feature in gatherings of Mawlid (celebrations of the Prophet's birth). This narration, traced to Abu Nu'aim from Abdullah bin Abbas, contains multiple weak narrators like Yahya bin Abdullah and Abu Bakr bin Abi Maryam, who are unreliable."

Biography and Critique of Abu Bakr bin Abi Maryam

Abu Bakr bin Abi Maryam belonged to the tribe of Ghassan and was a resident of Homs. His father’s name was Abdullah, and he was commonly known as "Abu Maryam." Although his title was "Abu Bakr," there is considerable debate regarding his actual name. Some scholars suggest his name was Bakr, others say Bakir, some mention Amr, others believe it was Aamir, while a few refer to him as Abdul Salam.

Status According to Scholars​

Al-Dhahabi states:

"He is considered weak among the hadith scholars. His narrations are found in the collections of Abu Dawud, Tirmidhi, and Ibn Majah. Despite being known for his devout worship, prominent narrators like Abu al-Yaman, Baqiyyah, and others transmitted his narrations."
Imam Ahmad and Other Scholars commented:

"He is weak and often makes mistakes in narrating hadiths."
Ibn Adi stated:

"He is not reliable, and several of his narrations have been categorized as unacceptable (munkar)."
Ibn Hibban remarked:

"His memory was quite poor. Any narration he reported alone is not considered reliable."
According to Baqiyyah, Abu Bakr bin Abi Maryam lived in a village filled with olive trees, and he would worship facing every tree, crying constantly.

Al-Jawzjani describes him as:

"A highly pious individual who passed away in 156 AH."

References:
[Mizan al-I'tidal T. 5407, Tahdhib al-Tahdhib 38/12, 139, Taqrib al-Tahdhib 398/2, Siyar A’lam al-Nubala 64/7, Al-Tabari 2071/1, Tabaqat Ibn Sa’d 487/7, Al-Tarikh al-Kabir 9/9, Al-Mughni 7340, Majma’ al-Zawa’id 188/1]

Despite being considered a revered elder, the logic of facing each tree for prayer is puzzling. Perhaps this was a level of spiritual practice beyond common understanding. Alternatively, this story might be false since its source, his disciple Baqiyyah, is known to have extreme Shi'a tendencies. Abu Saeed al-Muhaddith critically observed about him:

"The hadiths of Baqiyyah are unreliable, so it is best to avoid them."
Important Points to Consider:

1. Proximity in Age of the Prophet’s Uncle Abbas (RA):
   It is important to note that Hazrat Abbas (RA), the Prophet's uncle, was only a year or two older than the Prophet (PBUH), and his son, Abdullah ibn Abbas (RA), was born just two years before the migration to Madinah. Thus, many of the narrations attributed to these figures are not only fabrications but also demonstrate the ignorance of the narrators.
2. Presence of Men During Childbirth:
   Traditionally, women do not prefer men around them during childbirth, not even their husbands, let alone the father-in-law, from whom women typically observe a certain level of modesty.
3. Claims of Sorcerers Losing Powers Post-Birth of the Prophet (PBUH):
   If, as claimed, the sorcerers' jinns vanished and their powers were taken away at the Prophet's birth, it raises questions about how later generations could adopt sorcery and claim knowledge of the unseen, akin to the ancient soothsayers.
4. Directions of Flags in Narrations:
   These narrations mention flags planted in the east and west but rarely in the north or south, suggesting a limited understanding of geographical directions among the narrators.

Incidents of Chest Splitting at Birth​

Another narration is attributed to Hazrat Abbas (RA), who narrates that when his younger brother Abdullah was born, his face was illuminated like the sun. A dream interpreted by a sorceress prophesied that a child would be born from his lineage who would rule the world. At the time of the Prophet’s birth, Hazrat Abbas reportedly asked Amina about her experience, and she described celestial visions, a green silk banner suspended in the heavens, and flaming lights in the palaces of Syria.

Hadith Verification:
Sayyid Sulaiman Nadwi writes:
"We need not elaborate much on this narration, as the transmitters themselves admit to its weakness. Al-Suyuti states that this and other similar narrations are highly doubtful, expressing reluctance even in documenting them."

This narration was attributed to Abu Nu'aim, but it does not appear in the printed edition of Dala’il al-Nubuwwah. Furthermore, Hazrat Abbas (RA) was only one or two years older than the Prophet (PBUH), so it is unlikely he witnessed these events directly.

Story of Control Over the Kaaba​

Ibn Abbas (RA) narrated that Amina once recounted that three radiant men appeared during the Prophet’s birth, each holding unique items. She reportedly heard a voice claiming the entire earth and seas had arrived to greet the newborn, who would have dominion over the Kaaba.

Hadith Verification:
The origin of this narration is traced back to Yahya bin Aidh, who mentioned it in his work Milad. Ibn Dihyah categorically labeled it "strange," yet even this term does not fully capture its lack of authenticity and baselessness.