Miraculous Narratives Surrounding the Birth of the Prophet ﷺ: An Analysis

Author: Hafiz Muhammad Anwar Zahid (حفظه الله)

The Narrative:​

It is reported that Aminah, the mother of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, described extraordinary occurrences at the time of the Prophet’s birth. She claimed to have seen a large cloud with the sounds of horses neighing, wings flapping, and voices speaking. The cloud covered the newborn child, rendering him invisible to her. She heard voices instructing:

"Take Muhammad across the lands and seas so that the world recognizes him. Present him before all beings—humans, jinns, animals, birds, and angels. Endow him with the characteristics of Adam (عليه السلام), the knowledge of Seth (عليه السلام), the bravery of Noah (عليه السلام), the friendship of Abraham (عليه السلام), and so forth..."

Later, Aminah saw the Prophet ﷺ wrapped in green silk, exuding a fragrance akin to pure musk, with his face shining like the full moon. Three figures appeared, each carrying items like a silver basin, a green emerald platter, and a white silk cloth. They purified the child, marked him with a seal, and returned him to her arms.

Analysis of the Hadith:​

• This story is cited by Qastalani in his work Al-Mawahib al-Ladunniyyah, who attributes it to a book named Al-Sa‘adah wal-Bushra, a work focused on Mawlid narratives.
• The author of Al-Sa‘adah wal-Bushra claims to have taken this account from Al-Khatib al-Baghdadi.
• Al-Khatib al-Baghdadi's historical works are known to contain both authentic and weak narrations. His reputation for narrating questionable traditions is widely acknowledged.
• Abu Nu‘aym, another alleged source, does not include this narration in his published works, casting doubt on its attribution to him.
• Qastalani himself acknowledged that the narrative contains severe irregularities (nakarah), indicating that even he did not consider it entirely reliable.
• The chain of transmission and the content of this narration are filled with exaggerations and inconsistencies, which make it unfit for consideration as an authentic tradition.

Key Issues with the Narrative:​

1. Exaggerations and Inconsistencies:
   
   • The descriptions of miraculous occurrences—such as clouds speaking, mystical purification rituals, and universal submission to the newborn child—are not supported by authentic sources.
   • The narrative includes fabricated elements that are uncharacteristic of rigorously authenticated Islamic traditions.
2. Unverifiable Attribution:
   
   • The claim that this narration originates from reliable sources like Abu Nu‘aym is unsubstantiated.
   • The absence of such narrations in major Hadith compilations raises significant doubts about its authenticity.
3. Scholarly Consensus:
   
   • Scholars of Hadith, including Imam Al-Dhahabi, Ibn Hajar Al-Asqalani, and others, have consistently warned against relying on weak or fabricated narrations, especially those related to the Prophet’s life and miracles.

Conclusion:​

This narrative about miraculous events at the birth of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ lacks authenticity and credibility. The sources it relies upon are questionable, and even the scholars who referenced it acknowledged its irregularities. While the Prophet’s ﷺ noble birth is undoubtedly significant, such fabricated stories diminish the credibility of authentic Islamic traditions.

Scholarly Advice:​

Muslims should focus on well-established and authentic traditions about the Prophet ﷺ, as they provide a more accurate and respectful portrayal of his life and status.

References:

• Mizan al-I‘tidal, Al-Dhahabi
• Al-Mawahib al-Ladunniyyah, Qastalani
• Tahqiq al-Riwayat, Ibn Hajar Al-Asqalani