The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ did not know the unseen, which we have explained in detail in this article. Now we will mention here three periods regarding the unseen knowledge of the Prophet ﷺ:
[1] The period before prophethood
[2] The period of prophethood
[3] The period after the death of the Prophet ﷺ
In the Holy Quran, Allah Almighty has stated in these places that before becoming a Prophet, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ did not have knowledge of these matters:
[وَ کَذٰلِکَ اَوۡحَیۡنَاۤ اِلَیۡکَ رُوۡحًا مِّنۡ اَمۡرِنَا ؕ مَا کُنۡتَ تَدۡرِیۡ مَا الۡکِتٰبُ وَ لَا الۡاِیۡمَانُ وَ لٰکِنۡ جَعَلۡنٰہُ نُوۡرًا نَّہۡدِیۡ بِہٖ مَنۡ نَّشَآءُ مِنۡ عِبَادِنَا ؕ وَ اِنَّکَ لَتَہۡدِیۡۤ اِلٰی صِرَاطٍ مُّسۡتَقِیۡمٍ]
And thus We have sent to you a spirit by Our command. You did not know what the Book was, nor what faith was, but We made it a light by which We guide whom We will among Our servants. And indeed, you surely guide to a straight path.
Reference: Ash-Shura: 52
[وَ مَا کُنۡتَ بِجَانِبِ الۡغَرۡبِیِّ اِذۡ قَضَیۡنَاۤ اِلٰی مُوۡسَی الۡاَمۡرَ وَ مَا کُنۡتَ مِنَ الشّٰہِدِیۡنَ]،[وَلٰکِنَّاۤ اَنۡشَاۡنَا قُرُوۡنًا فَتَطَاوَلَ عَلَیۡہِمُ الۡعُمُرُ ۚ وَ مَا کُنۡتَ ثَاوِیًا فِیۡۤ اَہۡلِ مَدۡیَنَ تَتۡلُوۡا عَلَیۡہِمۡ اٰیٰتِنَا ۙ وَ لٰکِنَّا کُنَّا مُرۡسِلِیۡنَ]،[ وَ مَا کُنۡتَ بِجَانِبِ الطُّوۡرِ اِذۡ نَادَیۡنَا وَ لٰکِنۡ رَّحۡمَۃً مِّنۡ رَّبِّکَ لِتُنۡذِرَ قَوۡمًا مَّاۤ اَتٰىہُمۡ مِّنۡ نَّذِیۡرٍ مِّنۡ قَبۡلِکَ لَعَلَّہُمۡ یَتَذَکَّرُوۡنَ]
[And you were not on the western side when We revealed to Moses the command, nor were you among the witnesses], [And We produced generations, and a long time passed over them, and you were not among the people of Madyan reciting Our verses to them, but We have always sent messengers], [Nor were you at the side of the mountain when We called out, but it is a mercy from your Lord, so that you may warn a people to whom no warner has come before you, so that they may take heed.]
Reference: Al-Qasas: 44 to 46
[وَ مَا کُنۡتَ تَرۡجُوۡۤا اَنۡ یُّلۡقٰۤی اِلَیۡکَ الۡکِتٰبُ اِلَّا رَحۡمَۃً مِّنۡ رَّبِّکَ فَلَا تَکُوۡنَنَّ ظَہِیۡرًا لِّلۡکٰفِرِیۡنَ]
And you did not expect that the Book would be revealed to you, but out of mercy from your Lord, it was revealed. So never be an assistant to the disbelievers.
Reference: Al-Qasas:86
That is, when We spoke to Moses (peace be upon him) on Mount Sinai and bestowed upon him revelation and prophethood, O Muhammad (ﷺ)! You were neither present there nor among those who witnessed that scene. Rather, these are matters of the unseen which We are revealing to you through revelation. This is proof that you are a true messenger of Allah. Because you neither learned these matters from anyone nor did you witness them yourself. This subject has been mentioned in many other places as well.
For further references, see:
Reference: Al-Imran:44, Yunus:16, Hud:49, Yusuf:102-103, Ad-Duha:7
[That is, you (ﷺ) were neither present nor witnessing at that time].
That is, the period from becoming a Prophet until passing away. Allah Almighty granted you ﷺ countless events of the past and future, the conditions of the Barzakh and the grave, the map of the Day of Judgment, the nature of Paradise and Hell, in short, all the knowledge befitting your ﷺ status. And no one except Allah Almighty can estimate it. The authentic hadith of Bukhari states that Sayyiduna Musa (AS), Sayyiduna Khidr (AS), and the bird were read about by you. This example is merely for understanding; otherwise, the limited knowledge of creation has no relation to the unlimited knowledge of Allah Almighty.
Reference: Hashiyah Bukhari:482/1
This is why the term 'Alim al-Ghaib' (Knower of the Unseen) is mentioned repeatedly in the Quran as a special attribute of Allah Almighty. And in many places, it is negated that the Messenger ﷺ is 'Alim al-Ghaib.' And this term does not appear anywhere in the Quran and Hadith that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ is 'Alim al-Ghaib.'Similarly, this subject has been stated in many hadiths as well. If these verses and hadiths are quoted, even a thick book would not suffice. And the stance of the scholars of Ahl al-Sunnah wa al-Jama'ah is that it is not correct to call anyone the Knower of the Unseen except Allah:
[قُلۡ لَّا یَعۡلَمُ مَنۡ فِی السَّمٰوٰتِ وَ الۡاَرۡضِ الۡغَیۡبَ اِلَّا اللّٰہُ ؕ وَ مَا یَشۡعُرُوۡنَ اَیَّانَ یُبۡعَثُوۡنَ]
Say, "None in the heavens and earth knows the unseen except Allah, and they do not perceive when they will be resurrected."
Reference: An-Naml:65
Umm al-Mu'minin Sayyida Aisha Siddiqah رضي الله عنهما said that whoever says that the Prophet ﷺ knew the unseen has slandered Allah Almighty.
Reference: Bukhari, Book of Tafsir Surah An-Najm, Chapter: 4855
Now, some references from the Quran, authentic hadiths, and Hanafi fiqh books are presented in this regard, from which it is conclusively proven that the Prophet ﷺ was not present and aware during his lifetime.
[1] The incident of the slander against Sayyida Aisha رضي الله عنها, the reality of which was not known to the Prophet ﷺ before revelation.
Reference: An-Nur:16 to 26], [Bukhari, Book of Maghazi, Chapter on the Hadith of Al-Ifk:4141
[2] The incident of honey in which two wives of the Prophet ﷺ conspired, and as a result, the Prophet ﷺ declared honey forbidden for himself. Later, Allah informed him ﷺ of the entire matter.
Reference: Al-Tahrim:1 to 4], [Bukhari, Book of Tafsir, Chapter: O Prophet, you did not forbid what Allah has made lawful for you: 5668, 5667, 4912
[3] We have related to you the story of some prophets, and not of others.
Reference: An-Nisa:164
Remember that the Quran mentions only 25 Prophets and Messengers and describes the conditions of their peoples, while the total number of Prophets is much greater.
[4] Allah will ask the Prophets, "What was the response you received?" They will say, "We do not know."
Reference: Al-Ma'idah:109
[5] No one knows except Allah when they will be raised.
Reference: An-Naml:65
[6] Five matters of the unseen are known to none except Allah.
Reference: Luqman:34
[7] The time of the Day of Judgment is not known to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ.
Reference: Al-Ahzab:63], [Ash-Shura:17], [Al-A'raf:187], [Taha:15], [An-Naml:65], [Luqman:34], [Ha Mim As-Sajdah:47], [Az-Zukhruf:85], [Al-Mulk:26, 25
[8] One month before his death, the Prophet ﷺ said that the knowledge of the time of the Day of Judgment belongs only to Allah.
Reference: Muslim, Book of the Virtues of the Companions, Chapter explaining the meaning of his saying: (A soul will remain alive for a hundred years from those who are present now): 2538
[9] No one knows the hosts of Allah except Allah.
Reference: Al-Muddathir:31
[10] The story of Abdullah ibn Umm Maktum رضي اللہ عنہ, the blind companion, and the revelation.
Reference: Abasa:1 to 12
[11] There are some hypocrites in Medina and around it, persistent in hypocrisy, you do not know them, but we know them.
Reference: At-Tawbah:101
[12] The Prophet ﷺ's ascension to the heavens and repeatedly asking Jibreel (علیہ السلام) who these people are. He asked five times, "Who are these?" Then Jibreel took me to Sidrat al-Muntaha, the colors of which I do not know how to describe.
Reference: Bukhari, Book of Prayer, Chapter: How Prayer was Obligated during Isra: 349, 4233], [Muslim, Book of Faith, Chapter: Isra of the Messenger ﷺ to the Heavens and the Obligation of Prayers: 163
[13] The Prophet ﷺ said: I saw in a dream a man circumambulating the Kaaba. I asked who this venerable person was, and the angels told me that this was Messiah, son of Mary (علیہ السلام). Then I saw another person and asked who he was. The angels told me this was the Dajjal.
Reference: Bukhari, Book of Interpretation of Dreams, Chapter: Night Visions: 6999], [Muslim, Book of Faith, Chapter: Mention of Messiah son of Mary and the False Messiah (Dajjal): 169
[14] Sayyida Aisha رضي الله عنهما said: Whoever tells you these three things is a liar: [1] The Messenger of Allah ﷺ saw his Lord, [2] The Messenger of Allah ﷺ knew the matters of the coming day, and [3] Whoever says that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ concealed anything in the propagation of the religion.
Reference: Bukhari, Book of Tafsir, Surah An-Najm, Chapter: 4855], [Muslim, Book of Faith, Chapter on the meaning of the words of Allah Almighty "And indeed he saw Him another time" and whether the Prophet ﷺ saw his Lord on the night of Isra: 177
[15] The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: There will be chains in Hell, the length and width of which no one knows except Allah Almighty.
Reference: Bukhari, Book of Riqaq, Chapter on the Sirat (Bridge) over Hellfire: 6573], [Muslim, Book of Faith, Chapter on knowing the way of vision: 182
[16] At the time of the Conquest of Makkah, Sayyida Umm Hani رضي الله عنها was present before the Messenger of Allah ﷺ. She narrates that you ﷺ were performing ghusl (ritual bath), and your daughter Sayyida Fatimah رضي الله عنهما was veiled. I greeted you ﷺ. You ﷺ asked, "Who is this?" I said, "I am Umm Hani."
Reference: Bukhari, Book of Ghusl, Chapter on covering oneself during ghusl among people: 280], [Muslim, Book of Traveler's Prayer, Chapter on the recommendation of Duha prayer... etc.: 82/336
[17] During a journey, Sayyida Aisha رضي الله عنهما lost her necklace. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ and the people stayed with you ﷺ. Sayyida Aisha رضي الله عنهما's noble father was very upset. Later, the camel on which Sayyida Aisha رضي الله عنهما was riding was made to stand, and the necklace was found right beneath it.
Reference: Bukhari, Book of Tayammum, Chapter: 3672,334], [Muslim, Book of Menstruation, Chapter of Tayammum: 367
[18] When your ﷺ illness worsened during the illness of death, you repeatedly lost consciousness. When you regained consciousness, you would ask if the people had prayed. It was said no, the people were waiting for you (ﷺ). This happened three times.
Reference: Bukhari, Book of Adhan, Chapter: The Imam is made to be followed: 687], [Muslim, Book of Prayer, Chapter: Substitution of the Imam if he is excused due to illness or travel... etc.: 418
[19] The Messenger of Allah ﷺ sent a group of forty or seventy companions who were scholars of the Quran to the polytheists, and they were martyred. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ was very distressed and saddened.
Reference: Bukhari, Book of Witr, Chapter: Qunoot before and after Ruku: 1300,1001], [Muslim, Book of Mosques, Chapter: The recommendation of Qunoot in all prayers... etc.: 301/677
[20] The Messenger of Allah ﷺ was asleep, Sayyidina Abu Bakr رضي الله عنه and Sayyidina Umar رضي الله عنه were also asleep, the sun had fully risen, and they could not perform the morning prayer on time.
Reference: Bukhari, Book of Prayer Times, Chapter on the Adhan after the time has passed: 595], [Muslim, Book of Mosques, Chapter on Making Up Missed Prayers and the Recommendation to Hasten Their Performance: 681, 680
[21] Sayyida Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) narrates: The Messenger of Allah ﷺ came to me while a woman was sitting with me. He ﷺ asked: Who is this? I replied: She is such and such a woman.
Reference: Bukhari, Book of Tahajjud, Chapter on What is Disliked Regarding Excessive Strictness in Worship: 1151], [Muslim, Book of Traveler’s Prayer, Chapter on the Virtue of Consistent Acts like Night Prayer, etc.: 221/785
[22] Sayyida Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) narrated: When the Messenger of Allah ﷺ saw a cloud from which rain was expected, the color of his blessed face would change and he would say: I do not know, it may be like the cloud about which the people of ‘Aad said that it would rain upon us, whereas it contained a painful punishment.
Reference: Bukhari, Book of the Beginning of Creation, Chapter on the Verse: "And it is He who sends the winds as good tidings before His mercy": 3206], [Muslim, Book of Prayer for Rain, Chapter on Seeking Refuge upon Seeing Wind and Clouds and Rejoicing at Rain: 16/899
[23] Once there was a solar eclipse, and the Messenger of Allah ﷺ rose up very distressed, fearing that the Day of Judgment might be established.
Reference: Bukhari, Book of Eclipses, Chapter on Mentioning during the Eclipse: 1059], [Muslim, Book of Eclipses, Chapter on the Call to Prayer for the Eclipse Prayer (Congregational Prayer): 912
[24] When the daughter of the Prophet ﷺ, Sayyida Zainab, passed away, the Prophet ﷺ came and said: Inform me when the washing is completed. Then, after the washing was completed, the Prophet ﷺ was informed.
Reference: Bukhari, Book of Funerals, Chapter on what is recommended in washing the deceased:1258,1254], [Muslim, Book of Funerals, Chapter on washing the deceased:939
[25] A companion or female companion passed away, but no one informed the Prophet ﷺ of their death. One day, the Prophet ﷺ himself remembered and said that the person is not visible. The companions, may Allah be pleased with them all, said that the person has passed away. The Prophet ﷺ said: Then why did you not inform me? Come, show me their grave.
Reference: Bukhari, Book of Prayer, Chapter on sweeping the mosque and picking up dirt and sticks:458], [Muslim, Book of Funerals, Chapter on praying at the grave:956
[26] Sayyiduna Abu Dharr Ghifari, may Allah be pleased with him, saw the Prophet ﷺ walking alone at night. Sayyiduna Abu Dharr, may Allah be pleased with him, started following the Prophet ﷺ. Then the Prophet ﷺ turned, saw Abu Dharr, and asked: Who is this? Abu Dharr replied: Abu Dharr.
Reference: Bukhari, Book of Softening the Hearts, Chapter on those who give abundantly are those who receive abundantly:6443], [Muslim, Book of Zakat, Chapter on encouragement in charity:33/94, after 991
[27] Two women came to the door of the Prophet ﷺ, and Sayyiduna Bilal رضي الله عنه passed by them. They said to Sayyiduna Bilal رضي الله عنه, "Please ask the Messenger of Allah ﷺ about this matter for us, but do not mention our names." Bilal رضي الله عنه went inside and said to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ that two women were inquiring about this matter. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ asked, "Who are these two?" Bilal رضي الله عنه replied, "Their names are Zainab." The Prophet ﷺ asked, "Which Zainab?"
Reference: Bukhari, Book of Zakat, Chapter on Zakat on Husband and Orphans in Guardianship:1466], [Muslim, Book of Zakat, Chapter on the Virtue of Spending and Charity on Relatives... etc.:1000
[28] The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: I go to my house and find a date on my bed. I pick it up to eat, but then I fear that it might be a charity date, so I throw it away.
Reference: Bukhari, Book on Lost Property, Chapter on If a Date is Found on the Road:2432], [Muslim, Book of Zakat, Chapter on the Prohibition of Zakat on the Messenger of Allah ﷺ etc.:1070
[29] Whenever something to eat was brought to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, he would inquire whether it was a gift or charity. If it was said to be charity, he would tell his companions to eat it.
Reference: Bukhari, Book of Gifts and their Virtue and Encouragement to Accept Them, Chapter on Accepting Gifts:2576], [Muslim, Book of Zakat, Chapter on the Prophet ﷺ Accepting Gifts and Rejecting Charity:1077
[30] The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: I was shown Laylat al-Qadr but then it was forgotten.
Reference: Bukhari, Book of the Virtue of Laylat al-Qadr, Chapter on Seeking Laylat al-Qadr in the Last Seven Nights:2016], [Muslim, Book of Fasting, Chapter on the Virtue of Laylat al-Qadr and Encouragement to Seek It .... etc.:1167
[31] During Hajj, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ came to Sayyida Aisha رضي الله عنهما in Mecca, she was crying. He ﷺ asked why are you crying? I said, By Allah! I did not perform Hajj this year. He ﷺ asked, Perhaps you have become menstruant? I said yes!
Reference: Bukhari, Book of Menstruation, Chapter on Making up for Menstruant Women .... etc.:305], [Muslim, Book of Hajj, Chapter on the Types of Ihram and that it is Permissible to Perform Only One ..... etc.:120/1211
[32] During Hajj, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said to the noble companions رضي الله عنهم: You are now lawful (permitted), if I had known earlier what I came to know later, I would not have brought the sacrificial animal with me.
Reference: Bukhari, Book of Hajj, Chapter on Tamattu’ and Qur’an ..... etc.:1568], [Muslim, Book of Hajj, Chapter on Explaining the Types of Ihram ..... etc.:1216
[33] On the day of the Conquest of Mecca, a man came and reported that Ibn Khatal was hanging from the curtains of the Ka’bah. The Prophet ﷺ said: Kill him.
Reference: Bukhari, Book of Jihad and Expeditions, Chapter on Killing Prisoners and Killing the Patient:3044], [Muslim, Book of Hajj, Chapter on the Permissibility of Entering Mecca ..... etc.:1357
[34] The Messenger of Allah ﷺ saw a jaundice mark on Sayyidna Abdur Rahman bin Awf رضي اللہ عنہ and asked, "What is this?" He replied, "I have married."
Reference: Bukhari, Book of Marriage, Chapter: How to Propose... etc:5155], [Muslim, Book of Marriage, Chapter on Dowry and Permissibility... etc:1426
[35] At the time of the Battle of Khaybar, Sayyidna Dihyah رضي اللہ عنہ came to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ and requested, "Grant me a captive woman." The Prophet ﷺ said, "Go and take a captive woman." He took Safiyyah bint Huyayy. Then a man came to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ and said, "O Messenger of Allah ﷺ, Safiyyah is the daughter of a chief, and you have given her to Dihyah رضي اللہ عنہ. She is only suitable for you." Upon this, the Prophet ﷺ said, "Bring Dihyah along with Safiyyah." They were brought, and when the Messenger of Allah ﷺ saw them, he said, "Take another captive woman from among the prisoners." Then the Prophet ﷺ freed Sayyidah Safiyyah رضي اللہ عنہ and married her.
Reference: Bukhari, Book of Prayer, Chapter on What is Mentioned Regarding the Captive:371], [Muslim, Book of Marriage, Chapter on Virtue... etc:1365
[36] The noble Companions رضي الله عنهم اجمعین divorced captive women, then they asked the Messenger of Allah ﷺ for his ruling on this. He ﷺ said: Do you really do this? He said this three times.
Reference: Bukhari, Book of Marriage, Chapter on Divorce: 5210], [Muslim, Book of Marriage, Chapter on the Ruling of Divorce: 127/1438
[37] The Messenger of Allah ﷺ came to the house of Lady Aisha رضي الله عنهما, and there was a man sitting there. He ﷺ asked: Aisha! Who is this? I said: This is my milk-brother.
Reference: Bukhari, Book of Testimonies, Chapter on Testimony ... etc.: 2647], [Muslim, Book of Breastfeeding, Chapter on Breastfeeding only from famine ... etc.: 1455
[38] Our master Jabir bin Abdullah رضي الله عنهما narrated: When I got married, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ asked me: Whom did you marry? I said: A widow woman. He ﷺ said: Why not a virgin? I said: My father was martyred and he left many daughters, so I did not like to marry a girl like them, so I married a woman who could take care of them.
Reference: Bukhari, Book of Sales, Chapter on Buying Animals ... etc.: 2097], [Muslim, Book of Breastfeeding, Chapter on the recommendation of marrying a virgin ... etc.: 56/715, after 1466
[39] A companion complained before the Messenger of Allah ﷺ that he found his wife alone with a non-mahram man, and he asked the Messenger of Allah ﷺ to decide on this matter. Then the Messenger of Allah ﷺ prayed, "O Allah! Clear up this matter." Consequently, the woman gave birth to a child resembling the man whom the husband claimed to have found with his wife. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ ordered the couple to perform (mutual cursing).
Reference: Bukhari, Book of Divorce, Chapter on the Imam's Statement... etc.:5316], [Muslim, Book of :1497]
[40] Sayyiduna Jabir bin Abdullah رضي الله عنهما narrated: that I once fell ill, and the Messenger of Allah ﷺ and Abu Bakr رضي الله عنه came on foot to visit me. I asked, "O Messenger of Allah! What should I do with my wealth, how should I decide about it?" The Messenger of Allah ﷺ did not give me any answer until the verse of inheritance was revealed.
Reference: Bukhari, Book of Tafsir, Chapter "Allah commands you..." etc.:4577], [Muslim, Book of Inheritance, Chapter on Inheritance of Relatives:1616]
[41] Sayyiduna Nu'man bin Bashir رضي الله عنه narrated: that his father brought him to the service of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ and said that he had given his son a slave as a gift. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ inquired if he had given such a slave to other boys as well. He replied no, so the Prophet ﷺ said: then take him back.
Reference: Bukhari, Book of Gifts and their Virtues, Chapter on Gift to a Child: 2586], [Muslim, Book of Gifts, Chapter on Dislike of Preference... etc.: 1623
[42] Eight members of a tribe came to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ and pledged Islam to him. They fell ill, so he told them to go with our shepherd to the camels and drink the camel's milk and urine. They went, drank the camel's milk and urine, and recovered. Then they killed the shepherd of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ and drove away the animals. When the news reached the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, he sent men to search for them; they were caught and brought. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ punished them.
Reference: Bukhari, Book of Jihad and Expeditions, Chapter on When the Polytheists Burned... etc.: 3018], [Muslim, Book of Oaths and Blood Money, Chapter on the Ruling on Warriors and Apostates: 10/1671
[43] On the day of the Battle of Badr, two young men grasped their swords and pounced on Abu Jahl, attacking and killing him. After that, they came to the presence of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ and informed him. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ asked which one of them had killed him. Both young men said that they had killed him. Then the Messenger of Allah ﷺ asked if they had cleaned their swords. They replied that they had not. Then the Messenger of Allah ﷺ looked at both swords and said: Both of you have killed him.
Reference: Bukhari, Book of Obligatory Alms, Chapter: Whoever did not pay the fifth of the spoils: 3141], [Muslim, Book of Jihad, Chapter: The right of the killer...etc.: 1752
[44] When the Messenger of Allah ﷺ returned from the Battle of the Trench and laid down his arms and performed ablution, Jibril (Gabriel) عليه السلام came to him while dust was being shaken off his head. He said to the Messenger ﷺ, "You have laid down your arms, by Allah! I have not yet laid down my arms; you have to wage war against them." The Messenger of Allah ﷺ asked, "Against whom?" He pointed towards Banu Qurayza.
Reference: Bukhari, Book of Military Expeditions, Chapter: The Prophet’s Return from the Confederates and His Exit to... etc: 4117], [Muslim, Book of Jihad, Chapter: Permissibility of Fighting Those Who Break the Covenant and Permissibility of Attacking... etc: 1769
[45] On the day of the Battle of Badr, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: "Who will go and see what happened to Abu Jahl?" Sayyiduna Ibn Mas’ud رضي الله عنه went to find out and saw that the two sons of Afra had killed him, and his body was cold.
Reference: Bukhari, Book of Military Expeditions, Chapter: The Killing of Abu Jahl: 3962], [Muslim, Book of Jihad, Chapter: The Killing of Abu Jahl: 1800
[46] The Messenger of Allah ﷺ entered the house of Sayyida Maimunah رضي الله عنها, and she presented roasted lizard to him. It was very rare that you would extend your hand for any food before being informed about it. But that day, you reached out for the roasted lizard meat. At that moment, one of the women present said, "Why don't you inform the Messenger of Allah ﷺ that what you have presented before him is lizard?" The Prophet ﷺ withdrew his hand from the lizard. Khalid bin Walid رضي الله عنه said, "O Messenger of Allah! Is lizard forbidden?" He replied, "No."
Reference: Bukhari, Book of Slaughtering, Chapter on Lizard: 5537], [Muslim, Book of Hunting and Slaughtering, Chapter on Permissibility of Lizard: 1946]
[47] A man came to the service of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ who was hungry, and the Prophet ﷺ sent him to the Pure Wives (Azwaj Mutahharat) to feed him. The Pure Wives said that they had nothing except water. Upon this, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: Who will host him? An Ansari companion said, I will.
Reference: Bukhari, Book of Tafsir, Chapter on the Verse (And they prefer others over themselves): 4889, 3798], [Muslim, Book of Drinks, Chapter on Honoring the Guest... etc.: 2054
[48] Sayyiduna Abu Talhah رضي الله عنه came to the service of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ and informed him of the incident. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ asked Sayyiduna Abu Talhah رضي الله عنه: Did you also sleep with her that night? He replied, Yes! Then the Prophet ﷺ prayed, and Abu Talhah رضي الله عنه had a child. The child was brought to the service of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ. He ﷺ took the child and asked: Is there anything with him? It was said, Yes, there are dates.
Reference: Bukhari, Book of Aqiqah, Chapter on Naming the Newborn... etc.: 5470], [Muslim, Book of Manners, Chapter on the Recommendation of Tahnīk for the Newborn... etc.: 23/2144
[49] Sayyiduna Jabir رضي الله عنه narrated: I came to the presence of the Prophet ﷺ. I knocked on the door. The Prophet ﷺ said: Who is it? I said: It is me. The Prophet ﷺ said: I, I. As if he disliked it.
Reference: Bukhari, Book of Seeking Permission, Chapter: If someone says "Who is it?"... etc: 6250], [Muslim, Book of Manners, Chapter: Dislike of the one seeking permission saying... etc: 2155
[50] A man was peeping through the hole of the door of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ. At that time, the Prophet ﷺ had an iron comb with which he was combing his hair. When the Prophet ﷺ saw him, he said: If I had known that you were waiting for me (while peeping), I would have touched it to your eye. Then the Prophet ﷺ said: The command to seek permission was given so that the gaze does not fall.
Reference: Bukhari, Book of Seeking Permission, Chapter: Seeking permission for the sake of sight: 6241], [Muslim, Book of Manners, Chapter: Prohibition of looking... etc: 2156
[51] A Jewish woman brought poisoned goat meat to the service of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ. He ﷺ ate some of it. Then, when the woman was brought, she confessed to the poison. It was asked why she should not be killed. The Prophet ﷺ said: No. Sayyiduna Anas رضي الله عنه says that he always felt the effect of that poison on the palate of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ.
Reference: Bukhari, Book of Gifts and their Virtues, Chapter: Accepting Gifts from Polytheists: 6217], [Muslim, Book of Peace, Chapter of the Share: 2190
[52] Your ﷺ long dream in which you ﷺ, after describing your dream, said to the companions, may Allah be pleased with them all, in the morning: At night, two visitors came to me, they took me to a person lying down. I asked the two: SubhanAllah! Who are these two? They said to me: Move forward, and we reached a person lying on his back. I said: SubhanAllah! Who are these two? They said: Move forward. Then we came to a furnace-like pit. I asked the two: Who are these people? They said: Move forward. Then we came to a canal. I asked the two: Who is this? They said: Move forward. Then we reached a very ugly man. I said to the two: What is this? They said: Move forward. Then we reached a garden. I asked: Who is this? Who are these children? They said: Move forward. Then we reached a magnificent garden. Then they said we will tell you.
Reference: Bukhari, Book of Interpretation, Chapter on Interpretation of Dreams.... etc:7047], [Muslim, Book of Dreams, Chapter on the Prophet's ﷺ Dreams:2275
[53] One night, a great fear spread over Medina upon hearing a sound. People moved towards the sound, but the Messenger of Allah ﷺ was ahead of everyone. And you ﷺ investigated the incident.
Reference: Bukhari, Book of Jihad and Expeditions, Chapter on Caravans and Commentary... etc:2908,2627], [Muslim, Book of Virtues, Chapter on His Courage:2307
[54] A Jew came to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ and said that one of your companions slapped me. The Prophet ﷺ asked: Who was it? He said: An Ansari.
Reference: Bukhari, Book of Disputes, Chapter on What is Mentioned...... etc:2412], [Muslim, Book of Virtues, Chapter on the Virtues of Musa ﷺ:2374
[55] Sayyiduna Abu Huraira رضي الله عنه narrated: I asked the Messenger of Allah ﷺ: Who is the most noble? He ﷺ said: The one who is most pious. The companions said: We are not asking you about that. He ﷺ said: Then the Prophet of Allah, Yusuf son of the Prophet son of the Prophet son of the Friend of Allah. The companions said: We are not asking about him. He ﷺ said: Do you ask about the noble families of the Arabs? Listen! Those who were noble in the Age of Ignorance are also noble in Islam, provided they understand the religion.
Reference: Bukhari, Book of the Prophets' Hadiths, Chapter on the Saying of Allah Almighty (Indeed, there was in Joseph)...... etc.:3383], [Muslim, Book of Virtues, Chapter on the Virtues of Yusuf ﷺ:2378
[56] The Messenger of Allah ﷺ, while narrating the long story of Sayyiduna Musa (Moses) عليه السلام and Sayyiduna Khidr عليه السلام, said: May Allah have mercy on Musa! We wished that Musa عليه السلام had been patient a little longer so that more incidents of these two could have been narrated.
Reference: Bukhari, Book of Knowledge, Chapter on What is Recommended for the Scholar ..... etc.:122], [Muslim, Book of Virtues, Chapter on the Virtues of Khidr ﷺ:2380
[57] The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: I went to Paradise, and there I saw a palace. I asked, "Whose palace is this?" The angels told me, "This is the palace of Umar (may Allah be pleased with him)."
Reference: Bukhari, Book of Marriage, Chapter on Jealousy:5226,3679], [Muslim, Book of Virtues, Chapter on the Virtues of Umar رضي الله عنه:2394
[58] The Messenger of Allah ﷺ came to the house of Lady Fatimah رضي الله عنها and saw that Sayyidina Ali رضي الله عنه was not present in the house. He ﷺ inquired: Where is your uncle's son? Lady Fatimah رضي الله عنها said that some disagreement had occurred between them, and he got upset with me and went somewhere outside. And I did not even take a nap here. After that, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said to a person: Search for Ali (رضي الله عنه), where is he? He came and reported that he was sleeping in the mosque. Then you ﷺ went to the mosque.
Reference: Bukhari, Book of Prayer, Chapter on Sleeping Men ....etc:441], [Muslim, Book of Virtues of the Companions, Chapter on the Virtues of Ali ibn Abi Talib رضي الله عنه:2409
[59] On the day of the Battle of the Trench, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: Who can bring me news of the enemy's army? Sayyidina Zubair رضي الله عنه said: I can...
Reference: Bukhari, Book of Jihad and Expeditions, Chapter on Sending the Vanguard:4113,3719,2846], [Muslim, Book of Virtues of the Companions, Chapter on the Virtues of Talhah and Zubair رضي الله عنهما:2415
[60] The Messenger of Allah ﷺ sat in the courtyard of Lady Fatimah رضي الله عنها's house and said: Where is that child? You ﷺ were asking about Hasan رضي الله عنه.
Reference: Bukhari, Book of Clothing, Chapter on Clothes for Boys:5884,2122], [Muslim, Book of Virtues of the Companions, Chapter on the Virtues of Hasan and Husayn رضي الله عنهما:57/2421
[61] The daughter of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ passed away (Sayyida Umm Kulthum رضي الله عنهما, who was the wife of Uthman رضي الله عنه and died in 9 AH). The Prophet ﷺ was sitting by the grave, tears filled his eyes. He ﷺ said: O people! Is there anyone among you who has not visited a woman tonight? Abu Talha رضي الله عنه said: I am present. The Prophet ﷺ said: Then go down. He went down into her grave.
Reference: Bukhari, Book of Funerals, Chapter: Who enters the woman's grave:1342
[62] In the Quran, where Allah said (مَا أَدْرَاكَ), it was told to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, and where (مَا يُدْرِيكَ) was said, it was not told.
Reference: Bukhari, Book of the Virtue of the Night of Qadr, Chapter: The Virtue of the Night of Qadr (from the words of Sufyan ibn Uyaynah) see (Al-Ahzab:63), (Ash-Shura:17), (Abasa:3), (Al-Mutaffifin:19,8)
[63] The complete story of the accusation against Sayyida Aisha رضي الله عنها is in a long hadith. After the accusation, the Prophet ﷺ consulted Sayyidina Ali رضي الله عنه and Sayyidina Usama bin Zaid رضي الله عنه, asking: Should I leave Aisha? Later it is mentioned that the Prophet ﷺ said to Sayyida Aisha رضي الله عنها: I have received such and such news about you; if you are chaste, then Allah will reveal your chastity. And if you are caught in a fault, then seek forgiveness from Allah and repent. This matter continued. Finally, Allah revealed in Surah An-Nur that Sayyida Aisha رضي الله عنها is chaste.
Reference: Bukhari, Kitab al-Maghazi, Bab Hadith al-Ifk:4141
[64] The Messenger of Allah ﷺ led the prayer and recited fewer rak'ahs than required once or twice. Later, when the companions mentioned it, he said: I also forget just as you forget, so when I forget, remind me.
Reference: Bukhari, Kitab as-Salat, Bab at-Tawajjuh nahu al-Qiblah haythu kana:401
[65] A person who was buried at night, you ﷺ stood with your companions and asked: Whose grave is this?
Reference: Bukhari, Book of Funerals, Chapter: Prayer on the grave after burial:1336
[66] The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: On the Day of Resurrection, people will faint, and I will also faint. And I will be the first to regain consciousness. What I will see is that Musa (peace be upon him) will be standing holding the corner of the Throne. Now I do not know whether he will regain consciousness before me after fainting, or if he is among those whom Allah has exempted from fainting.
Reference: Bukhari, Book of Softening the Hearts, Chapter: The blowing of the trumpet:6517
[67] When Uthman bin Maz'oon passed away, you ﷺ said: By Allah! I am the Messenger of Allah, but I do not know what will happen to me and what will be your condition.
Reference: Bukhari, Book of Interpretation, Chapter: The flowing eye in a dream:7018
[68] Regarding seventy reciters, there is a hadith that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ sent them to Bani Amir, and the people martyred them. Then Sayyiduna Jibra'il (Gabriel) عليه السلام came to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ and informed him about the condition of those reciters, that they had met their Lord. When the news reached the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, he ﷺ cursed the killers for forty days. He ﷺ continued to recite Qunoot in the Fajr prayer. [Bukhari, Book of Jihad and Expeditions, Chapter on those who are ambushed... etc: 2801]
[69] On the day of Hudaybiyyah, Sayyiduna Salmah bin Aku' رضي الله عنه pledged allegiance to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ and then went under the shade of a tree. When the crowd of people decreased, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: "Son of Aku', you have not pledged allegiance." I said: "O Messenger of Allah ﷺ! I have pledged allegiance." He ﷺ said: "Pledge again." I pledged allegiance to him ﷺ a second time.
Reference: Bukhari, Book of Jihad and Expeditions, Chapter on allegiance in war... etc: 2960
[70] The Messenger of Allah ﷺ sent ten men for espionage. Their leader was made Sayyidina Asim bin Thabit Ansari, may Allah be pleased with him. Seven were martyred, three survived. They prayed, "O Allah! Deliver our news to our Prophet ﷺ." Later, the remaining two were also martyred, and Sayyidina Khabib, may Allah be pleased with him, was taken captive, then he was also martyred.
Reference: Bukhari, Book of Jihad and Expedition, Chapter: Is a man taken captive... etc.: 3045
[71] When the spoils of the Battle of Hunayn were distributed by the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, an Ansari man said, "By Allah! This distribution was not for the sake of Allah's pleasure." Abdullah bin Mas'ud رضي الله عنه, upon hearing this, said that he would inform the Messenger of Allah ﷺ about it. Eventually, he went to him ﷺ. The Prophet ﷺ was among his companions. He quietly conveyed this matter to him ﷺ. The Prophet ﷺ was deeply affected, his complexion changed, and he became so angry that I wished I had not informed him ﷺ.
Reference: Bukhari, Book of Manners, Chapter on Patience in Harm... etc: 6100
[72] Someone told the Messenger of Allah ﷺ about Abdullah bin Amr bin As and his fasting, that he used to fast continuously. Upon hearing this, the Prophet ﷺ came to him and asked, "Are not three fasts in a month sufficient for you?" He said, "O Messenger of Allah! I have more strength." After several questions and answers, the Prophet ﷺ said: The fast of Prophet Dawud (peace be upon him) is the best fast (i.e., fasting one day and breaking the fast the next day).
Reference: Bukhari, Book of Fasting, Chapter: Fasting Continuously:1977,1976
[73] The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: On the Day of Resurrection, I will come under the Throne and prostrate before Allah. Then I will praise Allah in such a way that I am not capable of today, and at that moment, Allah will inspire me with that praise.
Reference: Muslim, Book of Faith, Chapter: The Nearest of the People of Paradise... etc.:326/193
[74] Sayyida Aisha رضي الله عنها narrated: The Messenger of Allah ﷺ was at my place. He lay down on the bed, and after a while, he quietly opened the door and went outside. I also followed him. He ﷺ reached Baqi and stood there for a long time. Then he ﷺ returned. He ﷺ came home, and I also came home, but I arrived before him and lay down immediately. He ﷺ entered and said: O Aisha! What happened? Why is your breath heavy and your stomach swollen? I said: Nothing. He ﷺ said: You tell me yourself, otherwise Allah will tell me. I explained the situation to him ﷺ. He said: That black thing which I saw in front of me, was that you? I said: Yes.
Reference: Muslim, Kitab al-Jana'iz, Bab Ma Yuqal... etc: 103/974
[This also refutes those who say that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ is light from the light of Allah. If that were so, Sayyida Aisha رضي الله عنها would have been clearly visible to him in the dark].
[75] Sayyida Aisha رضي الله عنها said: The Prophet ﷺ intended to visit Sayyida Safiyya رضي الله عنها, regarding what a man experiences with his wife, and she said: I am menstruating.
Reference: Muslim, Kitab al-Hajj, Bab Wujub Tawaf: 386/1211, after 1328
[76] A delegation came to the presence of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ inquired: Which delegation is this and which group do you belong to? The people of the delegation replied: The tribe of Rabi'ah.
Reference: Muslim, Book of Faith, Chapter on Commanding Faith, etc.:24/17
[77] It is narrated from Sayyida Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her): Jibra'il (peace be upon him) once promised to come to the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ). Then the time came, but Jibra'il did not come. At that time, the Prophet (ﷺ) had a piece of wood in his blessed hand, which he threw away, and said: Allah does not break His promise, nor do His messengers break their promises. Then the Prophet (ﷺ) looked around and saw a puppy under the wooden bed. He said: O Aisha! Since when has this been here? She said: By Allah! I do not know. Then the Prophet (ﷺ) ordered that it be taken out. At that moment, Jibra'il came. The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: You had promised me, and I was waiting for you, but you did not come. He said: This dog that was in your house was holding me back; we do not enter a house in which there is a dog or an image.
Reference: Muslim, Book of Clothing and Adornment, Chapter on the Prohibition of Images... etc: 2104
[78] People used to accuse the Prophet’s ﷺ slave girl of being with a certain man. The Prophet ﷺ said to Sayyidina Ali رضي الله عنه: "Go and strike the neck of that man." Sayyidina Ali رضي الله عنه went to him and saw that he was bathing in a well to cool off. Sayyidina Ali رضي الله عنه told him to come out. When he came out, it was seen that his genital organ was cut off. Sayyidina Ali رضي الله عنه did not strike him, then he came back to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ and said that he has no such organ (genital organ).
Reference: Sahih Muslim, Book of Repentance, Chapter: The Innocence of the Prophet ﷺ from Suspicion: 2771
After passing away, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ does not have knowledge of the unseen, nor is he present and observing:
[1] A woman came to you ﷺ and you ﷺ said: "Come again." She said: "Tell me! If I come and you are not present." (Meaning) if you ﷺ have passed away. You ﷺ said: "If I am not there, then come to Abu Bakr."
Reference: Bukhari, Book of Judgments, Chapter on Succession: Hadith 7220
(He did not say to come to my grave, to supplicate there, your matter will be done. As nowadays people go to graves and say to the occupant of the grave, this is completely wrong).
[2] During the time of Sayyiduna Umar رضي الله عنه, when there was a drought, he would pray through Sayyiduna Abbas رضي الله عنه and say: "O Allah! Previously we used to bring the intercession of Your Prophet (ﷺ) to You, and You would send down rain. Now we have brought the intercession of the uncle of Your Prophet (ﷺ), so send down rain upon us." The narrator said that then rain was sent down.
Reference: Bukhari, Book of Rain Prayer, Chapter on Asking the Imam by the People... etc.: 1010
[Similarly, before passing away, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said to the companions: "Bring paper, I will write for you so that you never go astray."]
Reference: Bukhari, Book of Knowledge, Chapter on Writing Knowledge: 114
[The companions رضي الله عنهم did not go to your ﷺ grave to seek connection with you ﷺ, meaning the permissible intercession is to pray through the living, not the dead, and after your ﷺ passing, connection with you ﷺ is not possible. That is why you ﷺ said: "Bring paper." Otherwise, you ﷺ would have said: "After my death, connect with me in the grave."]
[3] The Prophet ﷺ said: On the Day of Resurrection, I will be at my Pond of Kawthar, I will be the leader of you people, whoever comes there will drink from it, and whoever drinks from it will never be thirsty again. And some people will come to the Pond whom I will recognize, and they will recognize me. Then a barrier will be placed between me and them. I will say, "These people are from my Ummah." It will be said, "You do not know what new things they introduced after you." At that time, I will say, "May he be far away, may he be far away, who changed the religion after me."
Reference: Bukhari, Book of Softening the Hearts, Chapter on the Pond: 6584, 6583
[The words of this hadith "You do not know what new things they introduced after you" are noteworthy. It means that at that time the Messenger of Allah ﷺ will not know which people of my Ummah have altered the religion.]
[4] The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: You will be resurrected barefoot, naked, and uncircumcised before Allah. Then, on the Day of Resurrection, Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him) will be the first to be clothed. Listen! Some people from my Ummah will be brought, and the angels will seize them and take them to the left side (i.e., the Hellfire). I will say, "O Lord! These are my people." It will be said, "You do not know what they did after your death." At that time, I will say what Allah’s righteous servant, Jesus (peace be upon him), said: "As long as I was among them, I observed their condition..." الحکیم
Reference: Al-Ma'idah: 118,117
It will be said that these people turned away from Islam on their heels after you (ﷺ) separated from them.
Reference: Bukhari, Book of the Prophets’ Hadiths, Chapter: The Saying of Allah the Exalted, etc.: 3349], [Muslim, Book of Paradise and its Delights, Chapter: The End of the World... etc.: 58/2860
[In this hadith, note the words from the previous hadith: "You do not know what they did after your death."]
[5] An Ansari said to you ﷺ: O Messenger of Allah! You do not give me any position like you have given to so-and-so. You ﷺ said: After me, you Ansar will see injustice, so be patient until you meet me, and the place of your meeting will be the Pond of Kawthar.
Reference: Bukhari, Book of the Virtues of the Ansar, Chapter: The Prophet’s Saying to the Ansar.. etc:3792
[Meaning, no contact can be made before that].
[6] And in the famous books of Hanafi jurisprudence, it is written that whoever marries a woman and says that we make Allah and His Messenger ﷺ witnesses, he will become a disbeliever. The reason written is that this person considered the Messenger of Allah ﷺ to be knowledgeable of the unseen, whereas knowledge of the unseen is exclusive to Allah Almighty.
Reference: An-Nahl:65], [Dar Mukhtar:2 p:14
Compare this with the beliefs of people nowadays who say that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ is present and observing.
[7] Scholars have clarified that whoever claims that the Prophet ﷺ knows the unseen is a disbeliever, due to Allah’s command: [لا يَعْلَمُ مَنْ فِي السَّمَواتِ وَالْأَرْضِ الْغَيْبَ إِلَّا اللهُ]
Reference: An-Naml:65], [Muqaddimah Hidayah Urdu: p59
[8] Knowledge of the unseen belongs to none but Allah.
Reference: Dar Mukhtar Muqaddimah Hidayah Urdu also], [Al-Mujadalah:7,6
[9] Some people who recite the Kalima say that since you ﷺ are called a witness (i.e., martyr) in the Quran, and a witness is one who sees everything, therefore you ﷺ are All-Knowing of the unseen and see everything. For their information, it is stated that ،،شہید،، (meaning) the word witness is also used in the Quran for your entire Ummah.
Reference: Al-Baqarah:143, Al-Hajj:78
Now, does any Muslim of the Ummah of Muhammad possess the attribute of being present and witnessing? Or those who hold the belief of being present and witnessing, according to their belief, are they also present and witnessing? Then let any one of them tell what is happening in London or New York or outside their house or in the market. In fact, the interpretation of these verses is present in Bukhari that you ﷺ and your Ummah will bear witness against the people of Noah, and this testimony will be based on the Quran.
Reference: Bukhari, Book of Holding Fast to the Book and Sunnah, Chapter on the saying of Allah Almighty (And thus We have made you a just community) etc.: 7349
Some people say that Allah Almighty said in Surah Al-Fil: [اَلَمۡ تَرَ کَیۡفَ فَعَلَ رَبُّکَ بِاَصۡحٰبِ الۡفِیۡلِ]
(O Prophet!) Have you not seen what your Lord did to the companions of the elephant?
Reference: Al-Fil:1
And they say that this event happened before your (ﷺ) birth, so you were witnessing this event. What do these people think about these verses: [اَلَمۡ یَرَوۡا کَمۡ اَہۡلَکۡنَا مِنۡ قَبۡلِہِمۡ مِّنۡ قَرۡنٍ]
Do they not see that We destroyed many generations before them?
Reference: Al-An'am:6
Were the polytheists witnessing when Allah destroyed the earlier nations? These verses refute the false belief of those who say that the event of the companions of the elephant was witnessed by the Messenger of Allah ﷺ.
Every Muslim recites the Kalima Shahadat, that is, says that I bear witness that there is no deity except Allah and Muhammad (ﷺ) is the servant and messenger of Allah. But the one who bears witness does not consider himself present and witnessing (meaning) he does not think that he is seeing Allah Almighty and His Messenger ﷺ, that is, being present and witnessing is not necessary for bearing testimony.
[10] Jesus (peace be upon him) is also called a witness (i.e., martyr) in the Quran.
Reference: An-Nisa:159
And these people take the meaning of witness as an observer. There is also a refutation of this regarding Jesus (peace be upon him) in the Quran.
Reference: Al-Ma'idah:117,116
And Azar (peace be upon him), indeed every prophet is called a witness, i.e., a witness, in the Quran: [فَکَیۡفَ اِذَا جِئۡنَا مِنۡ کُلِّ اُمَّۃٍۭ بِشَہِیۡدٍ وَّ جِئۡنَا بِکَ عَلٰی ہٰۤؤُلَآءِ شَہِیۡدًا]When We will appoint from every nation a witness and will bring you as a witness over them, how will it be then?
Reference: An-Nisa:47
Meaning, the prophet of every nation will be a witness over it on the Day of Judgment, and then our Messenger ﷺ will be a witness over all the nations.
For further references, see:
Reference: Al-Qasas:75
And the meaning of those who say present and observer is refuted in the Quran:[اَوۡکَالَّذِیۡ مَرَّ عَلٰی قَرۡیَۃٍ وَّ ہِیَ خَاوِیَۃٌ عَلٰی عُرُوۡشِہَا ۚقَالَ اَنّٰی یُحۡیٖ ہٰذِہِ اللّٰہُ بَعۡدَ مَوۡتِہَا ۚ فَاَمَاتَہُ اللّٰہُ مِائَۃَ عَامٍ ثُمَّ بَعَثَہٗ ؕ قَالَ کَمۡ لَبِثۡتَ ؕ قَالَ لَبِثۡتُ یَوۡمًا اَوۡ بَعۡضَ یَوۡمٍ ؕ قَالَ بَلۡ لَّبِثۡتَ مِائَۃَ عَامٍ فَانۡظُرۡ اِلٰی طَعَامِکَ وَ شَرَابِکَ لَمۡ یَتَسَنَّہۡ ۚ وَ انۡظُرۡ اِلٰی حِمَارِکَ وَ لِنَجۡعَلَکَ اٰیَۃً لِّلنَّاسِ وَ انۡظُرۡ اِلَی الۡعِظَامِ کَیۡفَ نُنۡشِزُہَا ثُمَّ نَکۡسُوۡہَا لَحۡمًا ؕ فَلَمَّا تَبَیَّنَ لَہٗ ۙ قَالَ اَعۡلَمُ اَنَّ اللّٰہَ عَلٰی کُلِّ شَیۡءٍ قَدِیۡرٌ]
Or like the one who passed by a town while it was in ruins, and said, "How will Allah bring this to life after its death?" So Allah caused him to die for a hundred (100) years, then raised him up. He said, "How long have you remained?" He said, "I have remained a day or part of a day." He said, "Rather, you have remained one hundred (100) years. So look at your food and your drink; they have not changed. And look at your donkey; and thus We make you a sign for the people. And look at the bones, how We raise them and clothe them with flesh." And when it became clear to him, he said, "I know that Allah is over all things competent."
Reference: البقرة:259
(That is) Allah Almighty caused the death of Azir (peace be upon him) for one hundred years. When Allah Almighty brought him back to life, He asked Azir (peace be upon him) how long he had stayed there. He replied that he had stayed there for a day or less, even though he had been in a state of death for one hundred years, and this prophet of Allah was not even aware that one hundred years had passed in the world.
[11] Just before the death of the Prophet ﷺ, his words were: (اللهم بالرفيق الأعلى) O Allah! Keep me among the highest companions. (That is) among the prophets and angels.
Reference: Bukhari, Book of Al-Maghazi, Chapter: The last words spoken by the Prophet ﷺ:4463
[12] After the passing of the Prophet ﷺ, the first incident that occurred was that Sayyiduna Umar رضي الله عنه said that whoever says that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ has died, I will cut off his head with a sword. Then Sayyiduna Abu Bakr رضي الله عنه came and addressed the people: Whoever among you worshipped the Messenger of Allah Muhammad ﷺ, now Muhammad ﷺ has passed away, so whoever worships Allah, remember that Allah is always alive and never dies. Allah Almighty Himself says in the Quran: Muhammad ﷺ is nothing; he is only the Messenger of Allah, and many messengers have passed before him. Until the last verse
Reference: (Al Imran:144)
, all the companions رضي الله عنهم اجمعين were reciting this verse. Sayyiduna Umar رضي الله عنه said: When I heard this verse from Abu Bakr (رضي الله عنه), I realized that the Messenger ﷺ had passed away.
Reference: Bukhari, Kitab al-Maghazi, Bab Marad al-Nabi wa Wafatahu: 4454, 1242, 1241
[Neither Abu Bakr nor Umar رضي الله عنهما nor any companion said, "Do not worry, after burying you ﷺ we will contact you ﷺ." The companions رضي الله عنهم اجمعين were unanimous about the death of the Prophet ﷺ.]
[13] When the wall of Sayyida Aisha رضي الله عنهما's chamber collapsed during the reign of Walid bin Abdul Malik, and they started to rebuild it, a leg was seen. People got scared. They thought it was the blessed foot of the Prophet ﷺ. And who else could it be but someone who is recognized? Until Sayyidna Urwah bin Zubair رضي الله عنه said to them that absolutely not, by Allah! This is not the blessed foot of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ. Rather, it is the foot of Sayyidna Umar رضي الله عنه.
Reference: Bukhari, Book of Funerals, Chapter on what was mentioned about the grave of the Prophet ﷺ and Abu Bakr and Umar رضي الله عنهما:1390
[It has been established that the Salaf did not hold the belief that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ or Sayyidna Umar رضي الله عنه are alive in their graves; otherwise, they would not have covered their feet with soil and reburied them.]
[14] In Sahih Bukhari, there is a long dream of the Prophet ﷺ mentioned, which he narrated to the Companions رضي الله عنهم اجمعين one morning (remember that the dreams of the Prophets are revelation). In it, two angels took you ﷺ to various places, and at the end, you ﷺ said: "You have taken me around a lot tonight; now tell me the condition of what I have seen?" After explaining all the details, they said that this is the house where ordinary Muslims reside, and this other is the house where the martyrs reside. I am Jibra'il, and this is Mikail. You (ﷺ) raise your head. When I raised my head, I saw something like a cloud above me. They said this is your (ﷺ) station. I said, "Let me go to my house." They said, "You still have some life left in this world, which you have not completed. If you had completed it, you would have come to your house."
Reference: Bukhari, Book of Funerals, Chapter: 1386
(That is) you are currently at the highest place in Paradise, beneath the Throne.
[15] Those who have passed away do not hear the calls of the people of the world because they are the creation, not the Creator; they have died, are not alive, and they do not know when they will be raised:
Reference: “So is He who creates like one who does not create? Then will you not be reminded?”,[ “And if you should count the favors of Allah, you could not enumerate them. Indeed, Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.”],[ “And Allah knows what you conceal and what you declare.”],[ “And those they invoke besides Allah do not create anything, while they themselves are created.”],[ “They are dead, not alive, and they do not perceive when they will be resurrected.”]
[So is He who creates like one who does not create? Then will you not take heed?],[ And if you try to count the favors of Allah, you will never be able to enumerate them. Indeed, Allah is Ever-Forgiving, Most Merciful],[ And Allah knows what you conceal and what you reveal],[ And those whom they invoke besides Allah do not create anything, while they themselves are created],[ They are dead, not alive, and they do not know when they will be resurrected.]
Reference: An-Nahl: 17 to 21
The term "dead" refers to the deceased righteous ones. Because being raised after death (which they are unaware of) can only apply to the righteous rather than inanimate objects. They are not only called dead but it is further clarified that they are not alive. This also clearly refutes the grave worshippers who say that those buried in graves are not dead but alive. And we call only the living. From Allah’s statement, it is understood that after death, no worldly life can be granted to anyone, nor does any connection with the world remain. Then how can any benefit, reward, or punishment be expected from them?
[16] Sayyiduna Abu Huraira (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates: The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: Whoever sends blessings upon me near my grave, I hear it, and whoever sends blessings upon me from afar, it is conveyed to me.
Reference: Mishkat, Book of Prayer, Chapter on Sending Blessings upon the Prophet ﷺ and its Virtue, Section Three: Hadith: 934], [Shu'ab al-Iman by Al-Bayhaqi: 2/218, Hadith: 1583
This hadith is fabricated; the narrator Muhammad bin Marwan is a liar.
For details see:
Reference: Mara'at: 2/25, 27, 26
Fabricated means invented. Remember that acting upon a fabricated hadith is also forbidden, and using it as evidence is also forbidden.This is a strange double standard: Ahmad Raza Khan repeatedly wrote that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ is present and witnessing in his
Reference: Qur'anic Translation with Tafsir
, see:
Reference: Al-Ahzab: 45, footnote 110], [Al-Fath: 8, footnote 12], [Al-Muzzammil: 15, footnote 21
but this tafsir contains many benefits which clearly contradict the idea of his being present and witnessing. As we have narrated many authentic traditions in this book.See: Their
Reference: translation with commentary [An-Nisa: 43, f, 133
mentions here that Sayyida Aisha رضي الله عنهما lost her necklace, and the Messenger of Allah ﷺ stayed there to search for it. In the morning, when the camel was lifted, the necklace was found underneath it.Also see:
Reference: An-Nisa: 102, 105, Fawaid: 283, 288], [Al-Ma'idah: 33, 61, 106, Fawaid: 254, 252, 156, 94], [Al-Anfal: 27, 30, 70 Fawaid 129, 57, 41], [An-Nur: 11, f:63, 15, f:154], [Ar-Rum: 30, f:2], [Luqman: 34, f:68], [Al-Ahzab: 9, f:26], [Al-Fath: 1, f:2], [Al-Fath: 18, f:44
Here, a severe falsehood has been stated, claiming that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ knew that Uthman رضي الله عنه was not martyred. However, it is present in authentic books of hadith that the Bay'at al-Ridwan occurred solely because the Messenger of Allah ﷺ received information at Hudaybiyyah that Sayyidna Uthman رضي الله عنه had been martyred by the polytheists in Makkah. Then the Prophet ﷺ said: "I will take revenge for Sayyidna Uthman رضي الله عنه," and then the Bay'at al-Ridwan took place.
Reference: Al-Hujurat: 3 to 5, f:5 to 7
These verses clearly refute those people who consider the Messenger of Allah ﷺ to be present and watching at all times. They call him from their mosques and cities, because Allah Almighty has stated in these verses: speak respectfully to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ when he comes out of his chamber to you. And when he is inside his chamber, do not call out loudly from outside. Those who do the opposite have been described by Allah Almighty in the Quran at this place as foolish.
Reference: Al-Mujadalah: 7 to 10, verses: 24 to 30
In these verses, Allah Almighty has described His great attribute that He is watchful everywhere. And those who believe in this attribute for all the Prophets.See:
Reference: Ahmad Raza's translation of An-Nisa 41, p:123
they equate the Prophets, peace be upon them, with Allah in this attribute. Whereas Ahmad Raza Khan himself has acknowledged in the same Quranic translation with Tafsir that Allah Almighty is unique in His attributes, there is no likeness to Him, no equal to Him, no parallel (i.e.,) there is none like Him
Reference: See his translation and Tafsir Muradabadi: Al-Baqarah: 163, p:291
This is a strange double standard, it is a great sin, the creation is being equated with the Creator, whereas [لَیۡسَ کَمِثۡلِہٖ شَیۡءٌ] there is none like Him.
Previously, the People of the Book (Jews and Christians) did the same, they equated the Prophets, peace be upon them, with Allah, and for this reason Allah Almighty declared them disbelievers and polytheists in the Quran. This requires reflection.
