Original article authored by Ghulam Mustafa Zaheer Ameenpuri (Hafizahullah), enhanced with headings and additional structuring for easier reading.
Some individuals have deviated from the Qur'an and Sunnah-based beliefs of Ahl al-Sunnah wa’l-Jama‘ah and adopted the belief that the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ is present and witnessing everywhere. The following Qur'anic and Hadith-based arguments are presented to help readers understand the truth without bias.
① Incident of Maryam (عليها السلام)
Allah says:
"And (O Prophet!) you were not with them when they cast their pens to decide who would take care of Maryam, nor were you present when they were disputing."
(Surah Aal 'Imran 3:44)
→ According to Ibn Kathir (رحمه الله), the Prophet ﷺ was not physically present during this event, but Allah informed him of it as though he were.
② Revelation to Musa (عليه السلام)
Allah says:
"And you were not on the western side [of the Mount] when We decreed the command to Musa, nor were you among the witnesses."
(Surah Al-Qasas 28:44)
→ Ibn Kathir states that the Prophet ﷺ was not present, but was informed through revelation.
③ Divine Call at Mount Tur
Allah says:
"And you were not at the side of the Mount when We called [to Musa], but [you are sent] as a mercy from your Lord to warn a people to whom no warner had come before you."
(Surah Al-Qasas 28:46)
④ Among the People of Madyan
Allah says:
"And you were not among the people of Madyan, reciting Our verses to them, but We were the Senders [of messengers]."
(Surah Al-Qasas 28:45)
⑤ Conversation of the Angels
Allah says:
"I had no knowledge of the exalted assembly [of angels] when they were disputing."
(Surah Sad 38:69-70)
⑥ Conspiracy of Yusuf's Brothers
Allah says:
"These are from the stories of the unseen which We reveal to you. You were not with them when they plotted and conspired."
(Surah Yusuf 12:102)
→ Ibn Jarir al-Tabari explains that the Prophet ﷺ was not present when Yusuf's brothers plotted against him.
① Incident with Abu Hurairah (رضي الله عنه)
Abu Hurairah (رضي الله عنه) narrates that the Prophet ﷺ once saw him on a path in Madinah and asked:
"Abu Hurairah! Where were you?"
(Sahih Muslim)
② Incident with Aisha (رضي الله عنها)
Aisha (رضي الله عنها) recounts that she returned late one night and the Prophet ﷺ asked:
"Where were you?"
(Sunan Ibn Majah)
③ Incident of Mi'raj
The Prophet ﷺ stated that Abu Bakr (رضي الله عنه) searched for him one night and asked:
"O Messenger of Allah! Where were you?"
(Al-Mu‘jam al-Kabir)
④ Battle of Uhud
During the Battle of Uhud, the Prophet ﷺ asked Sa‘d ibn Abi Waqqas (رضي الله عنه):
"Sa‘d! Where were you today?"
(Al-Mustadrak)
These Qur'anic verses and Hadiths clearly indicate that the belief of the Prophet ﷺ being present and witnessing everywhere is incorrect. If he ﷺ were truly present everywhere, why would the Companions—and the Prophet ﷺ himself—ask each other, “Where were you?”
Those who hold this belief often also claim that the Prophet ﷺ has knowledge of the unseen. However, how can something be considered “unseen” for one who is present at every place?
We appeal to you to abandon this false belief and adhere to the belief of the righteous predecessors (Salaf al-Salih) in accordance with the Qur'an and Sunnah, so that one does not end up opposing the truth. May Allah grant us the understanding of truth and the ability to act upon it. Ameen.
❖ Refutation of the Belief That the Prophet ﷺ Is Present and Witnessing Everywhere
Some individuals have deviated from the Qur'an and Sunnah-based beliefs of Ahl al-Sunnah wa’l-Jama‘ah and adopted the belief that the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ is present and witnessing everywhere. The following Qur'anic and Hadith-based arguments are presented to help readers understand the truth without bias.
❖ Qur'anic Evidences
① Incident of Maryam (عليها السلام)
Allah says:
"And (O Prophet!) you were not with them when they cast their pens to decide who would take care of Maryam, nor were you present when they were disputing."
(Surah Aal 'Imran 3:44)
→ According to Ibn Kathir (رحمه الله), the Prophet ﷺ was not physically present during this event, but Allah informed him of it as though he were.
② Revelation to Musa (عليه السلام)
Allah says:
"And you were not on the western side [of the Mount] when We decreed the command to Musa, nor were you among the witnesses."
(Surah Al-Qasas 28:44)
→ Ibn Kathir states that the Prophet ﷺ was not present, but was informed through revelation.
③ Divine Call at Mount Tur
Allah says:
"And you were not at the side of the Mount when We called [to Musa], but [you are sent] as a mercy from your Lord to warn a people to whom no warner had come before you."
(Surah Al-Qasas 28:46)
④ Among the People of Madyan
Allah says:
"And you were not among the people of Madyan, reciting Our verses to them, but We were the Senders [of messengers]."
(Surah Al-Qasas 28:45)
⑤ Conversation of the Angels
Allah says:
"I had no knowledge of the exalted assembly [of angels] when they were disputing."
(Surah Sad 38:69-70)
⑥ Conspiracy of Yusuf's Brothers
Allah says:
"These are from the stories of the unseen which We reveal to you. You were not with them when they plotted and conspired."
(Surah Yusuf 12:102)
→ Ibn Jarir al-Tabari explains that the Prophet ﷺ was not present when Yusuf's brothers plotted against him.
❖ Evidences from Hadith
① Incident with Abu Hurairah (رضي الله عنه)
Abu Hurairah (رضي الله عنه) narrates that the Prophet ﷺ once saw him on a path in Madinah and asked:
"Abu Hurairah! Where were you?"
(Sahih Muslim)
② Incident with Aisha (رضي الله عنها)
Aisha (رضي الله عنها) recounts that she returned late one night and the Prophet ﷺ asked:
"Where were you?"
(Sunan Ibn Majah)
③ Incident of Mi'raj
The Prophet ﷺ stated that Abu Bakr (رضي الله عنه) searched for him one night and asked:
"O Messenger of Allah! Where were you?"
(Al-Mu‘jam al-Kabir)
④ Battle of Uhud
During the Battle of Uhud, the Prophet ﷺ asked Sa‘d ibn Abi Waqqas (رضي الله عنه):
"Sa‘d! Where were you today?"
(Al-Mustadrak)
❖ Conclusion
These Qur'anic verses and Hadiths clearly indicate that the belief of the Prophet ﷺ being present and witnessing everywhere is incorrect. If he ﷺ were truly present everywhere, why would the Companions—and the Prophet ﷺ himself—ask each other, “Where were you?”
Those who hold this belief often also claim that the Prophet ﷺ has knowledge of the unseen. However, how can something be considered “unseen” for one who is present at every place?
❖ Appeal
We appeal to you to abandon this false belief and adhere to the belief of the righteous predecessors (Salaf al-Salih) in accordance with the Qur'an and Sunnah, so that one does not end up opposing the truth. May Allah grant us the understanding of truth and the ability to act upon it. Ameen.
