❖ The Story of Imam Bukhari’s Lost and Restored Vision Due to His Mother’s Supplication
Authored by: Hafiz Muhammad Anwar Zahid حفظه الله
✿ The Account as Reported by Scholars
The esteemed author of Sīrah al-Bukhārī, Maulana Abdul Salam Mubarakpuri, writes:
Imam Bukhari رحمه الله’s mother was a deeply devout and righteous woman, known for her constant worship and spiritual devotion. Supplication, weeping, and humility before Allah were her defining traits.
Imam Bukhari رحمه الله, in his childhood, lost his eyesight, and despite medical efforts, the physicians failed to provide a cure.
His mother continuously turned to Allah with heartfelt duʿa and tears, beseeching Him for her son’s recovery.
One night, she saw Prophet Ibrahim عليه السلام in a dream, who said to her:
“O woman! Due to your supplication and weeping, Allah has restored your son's eyesight.”
She stated that the very morning following this dream, her son Muhammad (i.e., Imam Bukhari) regained his vision, and he was once again able to see clearly.
❖ Authentication of the Narration:
Status of the Chain: Its chain is weak.
- This story is cited under the title of "Karamāt al-Awliyāʾ" (Miracles of the Righteous).
- Al-Lālakāʾī also mentioned it in Sharḥ al-Sunnah, p. 247.
Issues in the Chain:
① The narrator Muḥammad ibn al-Faḍl al-Balkhī is majhūl (unknown).
② In another version, ʿAbdullāh ibn Muḥammad ibn Isḥāq al-Mismār reports it, but his teacher is also majhūl.
- Refer to:
- Siyar Aʿlām al-Nubalāʾ (12/392)
- Tārīkh Baghdād (2/10)
- Ṭabaqāt al-Ḥanābilah (1/274)
- Tahdhīb al-Kamāl (24/445)
- Taqliq al-Taʿliq (5/388)
- Muqaddimah Fatḥ al-Bārī (1/478)
✿ Conclusion:
Although this story is famous and emotionally touching, especially in portraying the powerful effect of a mother's duʿa, its chain of narration is weak and contains unknown narrators. Therefore, it cannot be regarded as authentically established and should be shared with caution, clearly noting its weak status.
