The Story of Nustura: A Critical Analysis

Author: Hafiz Muhammad Anwar Zahid (Hafidhahullah)

Narrative Overview:​

The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) undertook trade journeys to Syria and Yemen on behalf of Khadijah (رضي الله عنها). Historians mention that during one journey, the Prophet (ﷺ) reached Busra, where a Christian monk named Nustura resided.

The story revolves around the following key incidents:

1. Nustura's Recognition of Prophethood:
   
   • The Prophet (ﷺ), accompanied by Khadijah's servant Maisarah, rested under a tree near Nustura's monastery.
   • Nustura observed the scene and asked Maisarah about the person.
   • Upon confirmation of the Prophet's description, Nustura declared that no one except the final Prophet could rest under that tree.
2. Miraculous Observations:
   
   • Maisarah witnessed clouds and angels providing shade to the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) throughout the journey.
   • Nustura also identified characteristics of the Prophet (ﷺ) written in their scriptures, including the redness of his eyes.
3. Return to Makkah:
   
   • Upon returning, Khadijah (رضي الله عنها) saw two angels providing shade to the Prophet (ﷺ) and Maisarah narrated his observations and Nustura's statements.

This story is recorded in Madarij al-Nubuwwah and Tarikh Musliman-e-Alam (Volume 2, p. 123).

Hadith Analysis:​

This narrative appears in the works of:

• Ibn Ishaq
• Ibn Sa'd
• Abu Nu'aym
• Ibn Asakir

However, the chain of narration (Sanad) has serious weaknesses:

1. Lack of Chain in Ibn Ishaq:
   
   • Ibn Ishaq does not provide a chain of transmission for this account.
2. Chain in Other Sources:
   
   • The chain includes the following narrators:
     • Al-Waqidi → Musa bin Shaibah → Umairah bint Abdullah bin Ka'b → Umm Sa'd bint Ka'b → Nafisah bint Munyah.

Criticism of the Narrators:​

1. Al-Waqidi:
   
   • Al-Waqidi is unanimously regarded as unreliable.
   • Scholars like Imam Ahmad bin Hanbal and others dismissed his narrations entirely.
2. Musa bin Shaibah:
   
   • Imam Ahmad bin Hanbal declared his narrations to be Munkar (denounced).
3. Umairah bint Abdullah bin Ka'b and Umm Sa'd:
   
   • Their reliability is unknown (Majhul), making their narrations inadmissible.

Conclusion:​

The story of Nustura recognizing the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) lacks authentic evidence due to severe weaknesses in the chain of narration. The primary issues are:

1. Unreliable narrators (e.g., Al-Waqidi and Musa bin Shaibah).
2. Unknown transmitters in the chain.

Thus, this story cannot be deemed authentic.