It is mentioned in the Hadith that the chest of the Holy Prophet ﷺ was split open at a young age, and it is also mentioned that Satan believed in him ﷺ
Reference: (See: Sahih Muslim: 162, 2814)
.Both of these statements seem to contradict reason because it is not possible in human nature for the chest to be split open like this; therefore, this incident is imaginary and illogical.
First Point
The Satan mentioned in the Hadith does not mean Iblis but rather the Qareen (constant companion) that is present with every human being, who inclines a person towards evil, whereas the Qareen present with the Holy Prophet ﷺ was obedient to him ﷺ and did not incline him ﷺ towards evil.
Reference: (See: Sahih Muslim: 2814)
Second Point
It should be understood that the infallibility (freedom from sin) of the Prophets does not mean that their free will and liberty were taken away. Rather, such matters occurred with the Prophets in an ijtihadi (interpretative) manner, about which there is admonition in the Holy Quran, as in the case of Sayyiduna Adam:
فَتَلَـقّيٰٓ اٰدَمُ مِنْ رَّبِّهٖ كَلِمٰتٍ فَتَابَ عَلَيْهِ ۭ اِنَّهٗ ھُوَ التَّوَّابُ الرَّحِيْمُ
Reference: (Surah Al-Baqarah: 37)
Translation: At that time, Adam repented by learning a few words from his Lord, which his Lord accepted because He is Most Forgiving and Merciful.
Regarding Prophet Solomon, it is mentioned:
وَلَقَدْ فَتَنَّا سُلَيْمٰنَ وَاَلْقَيْنَا عَلٰي كُرْسِيِّهٖ جَسَدًا ثُمَّ اَنَابَ – قَالَ رَبِّ اغْفِرْ لِيْ وَهَبْ لِيْ مُلْكًا لَّا يَنْۢبَغِيْ لِاَحَدٍ مِّنْۢ بَعْدِيْ ۚ اِنَّكَ اَنْتَ الْوَهَّابُ
Reference: (Surah Sad: 34,35)
Translation: And indeed We tried Solomon and placed a body on his throne; then he turned to Allah in supplication and said, "O my Lord, forgive me and grant me a kingdom such as will not belong to anyone after me. Indeed, You are the Bestower."
Regarding Prophet Abraham, this prayer is present:
رَبَّنَا اغْفِرْ لِيْ وَ لِوَالِدَيَّ وَلِلْمُؤْمِنِيْنَ يَوْمَ يَقُوْمُ الْحِسَابُ
Reference: (Surah Ibrahim: 41)
Translation: O Allah! Forgive me, my parents, and the believers on the Day of Reckoning.
From these arguments, it is understood that Sayyiduna Adam, Sayyiduna Sulaiman, and Sayyiduna Ibrahim, peace be upon them, sought forgiveness from their Lord. The fact that the prophets sought forgiveness clearly indicates that even prophets can, in an ijtihadi manner, be involved in matters that are subject to admonition or for which the prophets deemed it appropriate to ask for forgiveness.
Third Point
This incident is not against reason, just as in this era doctors perform very delicate surgeries, treat internal diseases of the human body, and conduct operations using modern instruments. Whether it is the heart or the brain, if a doctor operates on it in the present age, our intellect accepts it. Moreover, beyond that, heart transplantation is possible in this era, in which the heart of a living or deceased person is placed into another person's chest, or an artificial heart is implanted. Given the established nature of such medical science matters, accepting the incident of the Prophet Muhammad’s ﷺ chest being opened becomes even easier for us.
Fourth Point
Here, it is also important to note that this matter happened by the will of Allah Almighty, and Allah Almighty has introduced Himself as follows:
فَعَّالٌ لِّمَا يُرِيْدُ
Reference: (Al-Burooj:16)
Translation: (He is Allah) Who does whatever He wills.
In the Holy Quran, there are many mentions of the vastness of Allah Almighty's power, and this incident is one of the manifestations of Allah Almighty's power and might. Therefore, denying this incident is essentially denying the perfect power and might of Allah Almighty.
