Chapter 13: Before commissioning of the Prophethood and some of

the early signs (Part 1) Muhammad Ibn Is-haaq رمحه اهلل said: The Jewish rabbis and the Christians monks and the Arab soothsayers used to speak about the advent of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, even before he was sent (as a Prophet), and when the time drew near. The Jews and Christian: As for the Jewish rabbis and the Christian monks, they spoke about the things which were mentioned in their books regarding his ﷺ description (and attributes), as well as the description of the time (and the place) of his arrival. Allaah تعاىل said regarding this: ﴿الَّذ ين يـ تَّب ع ون الرَّس ول النَِّب َّ اِّل مِّيَّ الَّذ ي َي د ون ه م ك ت وبًا ع ند ه م ف التـَّو ر اة و اْل ن ِ يل ي أ م ر ه م ب ال م ع ر و و يـ نـ ه اه م ع ن ال م نك ر و ُي لُّ َل م الطَّيِّب ات و ُي رِّم ع ل ي ه م اْل ب ائ ث و ي ض ع ع نـ ه م إ ص ر ه م و اِّل غ ال ل الَّت ك ان ت ع ل ي ه م ۖ ف الَّذ ين آم ن وا ب ه و ع زَّر وه و ن ص ر وه و اتـَّبـ ع وا النُّور الَّذ ي أ نز ل م ع ه ۖ ﴾ أ ول ـىئ ك ه م ال م ف ل ح ون {Those who follow the Messenger, the Prophet who can neither read nor write (i.e. Muhammad) whom they find written with them in the Taurah and the Injeel; who enjoins upon them al-Ma`roof (i.e. Islaamic Monotheism and all that Islaam has ordained); and forbids them al-Munkar (i.e. disbelief, polytheism of all kinds, and all that Islaam has forbidden); and makes lawful for them al-Tayyibaat (the good things) and prohibits for them al-Khabaa’ith (the evil and the unlawful), he releases them from their heavy burdens (of Allaah’s Covenant), and from the shackles which were upon them. So those who believe in him (Muhammad), honor him, help him, and follow the light (the Qur’aan) which has been sent down with him, it is they who will be successful.} [Surah al-A`raaf (7): 157] And Allaah تعاىل said: ﴿ ُّمُّ مَّد رَّس ول اللَّـه ۖ و الَّذ ين م ع ه أ ش دَّاء ع ل ى ال ك فَّار ر مح اء بـ يـ نـ ه م ۖ تـ ر اه م ر كَّعًا س جَّدًا يـ ب تـ غ ون ًف ض ال مِّن اللَّـه و ر ض و انًا ۖ س يم اه م ف و ج وه ه م مِّن أ ث ر السُّج ود ۖ ذ ىل ك م ثـ ل ه م ف التـَّو ر اة ۖ و م ثـ ل ه م ف

اْل ن يل ك ز ر ع أ خ ر ج ش ط أ ه ف آز ر ه ف اس تـ غ ل ظ ف اس تـ و ىى ع ل ىى س وق ه يـ ع ج ب الزُّرَّاع ل ي غ يظ ِب م ال ك فَّار ۖ و ع د اللَّـه الَّذ ين آم ن وا و ع م ل وا الصَّاحل ات م نـ ه م ًمَّغ ف ر ة و أ ج رًا ع ظ يمًا﴾ {Muhammad is the Messenger of Allaah, and those who are with him are severe against disbelievers, and merciful among themselves. You see them bowing and falling down prostrate (in prayer), seeking Bounty from Allaah and (His) Good Pleasure. The mark of them (i.e. of their Faith) is on their faces (foreheads) from the traces of (their) prostration (during prayers). This is their description in the Taurah. But their description in the Injeel is like a (sown) seed which sends forth its shoot, then makes it strong, it then becomes thick, and it stands straight on its stem, delighting the sowers that He (Allaah) may enrage the disbelievers with them. Allaah has promised those who believe and do righteous good deeds among them, forgiveness and a mighty reward (i.e. Paradise).} [Surah al-Fath (48): 29] And Allaah تعاىل said: ﴿ و إ ذ أ خ ذ اللَّـه م يث اق النَّب يِّني ل م ا آتـ ي ت ك م مِّن ك ت اب و ح ك م ة َّ ث ج اء ك م ر س ول مُّص دِّق لِّم ا م ع ك م َّل تـ ؤ م ن ن ب ه و ل ت نص ر نَّه ۖ ق ال أ أ قـ ر ر مت و أ خ ذ مت ع ل ىى ذ ىل ك م إ ص ر ي ۖ ق ال وا أ قـ ر ر ن ا ۖ ق ال ف اش ه د وا و أ ن ا م ع ك م مِّن الشَّاه د ين﴾ {And (remember) when Allaah took the Covenant of the Prophets, saying: “Take whatever I gave you from the Book and Hikmah, and afterward there will come to you a Messenger (Muhammad) confirming what is with you; you must, then, believe in him and help him.” Allaah said: “Do you agree (to it) and will you take up My Covenant (which I conclude with you)?” They said: “We agree.” He (Allaah) said: “Then bear witness, and I am with you among the witnesses (for this).”} [Surah aal-`Imraan (3): 81] And it is reported that Ibn `Abbaas رضي اهلل عنهما said: ❝Never did Allaah sent a Prophet except after taking his pledge that if Muhammad were sent in his lifetime, he would believe in and support him. And Allaah commanded each Prophet to take a pledge from his nation that if Muhammad were sent in their time, they would believe in and support him.❞ 77 77 Here Ibn Katheer mentioned that this was reported by Imaam al-Bukhaaree in his sahih, but I (al-Albaanee) did not find it. I rigorously searched for it (in al-Bukhaaree) but it was in vain. He (Ibn Katheer) also reported this in his Tafseer under the Aayah of aal-`Imraan from the narrations of `Alee and Ibn `Abbaas رضي اهلل عنهم, but without

From this, we learn that all the Prophets gave the glad tidings of the Prophet’s ﷺ advent and instructed their people to obey and follow him. Ibraaheem عليه السالم in his supplication for the people of Makkah said: ﴿ر بـَّن ا و ابـ ع ث ف يه م ًر س وّل مِّنـ ه م يـ تـ ل و ع ل ي ه م آي ات ك و يـ ع لِّم ه م ال ك ت اب و احل ك م ة و يـ ز كِّيه م ۖ إ نَّك أ نت ال ع ز يز احل ك يم﴾ {“Our Lord! Send amongst them a Messenger of theirs, who shall recite unto them Your Aayaat and teach them the Book and al-Hikmah (wisdom), and purify them. Verily! You are the All-Mighty, the All-Wise.”} [Surah al-Baqarah (2): 129] Imaam Ahmad reported from the hadith of Abu Umaamah رضي اهلل عنه: I said: O Messenger of Allaah ﷺ! How was the beginning of your affair? He ﷺ said: ❝I am the answer to the prayer of my father, Ibraaheem (عليه السالم), and the glad tidings of `Eesa (عليه السالم), and when my mother became pregnant with me, she saw something as if a light came out of her and illuminated the palaces in the land of Syria.❞ 78 Imaam Ahmad and Ibn Is-haaq also reported from a different chain that the Companions of the Messenger of Allaah ﷺ asked him something similar… 79 And the meaning of this is that he referred to the beginning of his affair which was famously known and widespread among the men. He (first) mentioned that he was the answer to prayers of Ibraaheem عليه السالم – to whom the Arabs traced their ancestry; then he mentioned about the glad tidings of `Eesaa عليه السالم – who was the last Prophet sent to the Banee Israa’eel. And in this, there is evidence that all the Prophets in-between these two also gave the glad tidings of him. mentioning the source. Ibn Jareer and Ibn Abee Haatim also reported this in their respective Tafseer, but as a statement of al-Suddiyy (instead of Ibn `Abbaas). 78 Musnad Ahmad (22261), the chain of this narration is “Jayyid” and it has supporting chains. The next hadith supports this hadith. 79 (Shaikh al-Albaanee said): The author (Ibn Katheer) mentioned this hadith in its entirety in the earlier chapters. [TN: Refer to chapter 2 and 5 for the complete Ahaadeeth]

And in it are the glad tidings for this land of ours – Busraa – for it was the first piece of land to which the light of Prophethood first arrived. And all praise is for Allaah alone. This is why Busraa was the first city of Syria that was conquered – peacefully – during the Caliphate of Abu Bakr رضي اهلل عنه. The Exalted Group: As for the exalted group (i.e. the Angels), then his affair was renowned, well-mentioned, and well-known even before the creation of Aadam عليه السالم, which was reported by Imaam Ahmad in his Musnad, from the hadith of al-`Irbaadh Ibn Saariyah رضي اهلل عنه that the Messenger of Allaah ﷺ said: ❝I was the slave of Allaah and the Seal of the Prophets, when Aadam was still in the form of mud on the ground, and I will tell you about that. I am the answer to the prayer of the father of Ibraaheem, the glad tidings of Eesa concerning me, and the dream that my mother saw…❞ 80 Imaam Ahmad also reported that Maysarah al-Fajr رضي اهلل عنه said: “O Messenger of Allaah! Since when were you a Prophet? He ﷺ said: ❝While Aadam was between (being) soul and body.❞ (Ibn Katheer said): The chain of this narration is “Jayyid” (good). 81 Ibn Shaaheen reported in “Dalaail al-Nubuwwah” that Abu Hurairah رضي اهلل عنه asked the Messenger of Allaah ﷺ: “When was the Prophethood established for you?” He ﷺ said: ❝Between the creation of Aadam and the soul being breathed into him.❞ 82 80 Musnad Ahmad (17150, 17163) with a chain in which there is some “Jahaalah” (i.e., one narrator is unknown), and there is “Nakaarah” (something objectionable) in its text. In the end of the hadith there is this addition ❝ …and similarly, this is what the mothers of the Prophets are shown (in their dreams).❞. Apart from having a “Weak” chain, this last phrase is not repeated in the similar Ahaadeeth reported from different routes. This is why I (al-Albaanee) have mentioned it in al-Dha`eefah (2085). 81 Musnad Ahmad (16623, 20596, 23212). The chain of this narration is “sahih”. It is also graded as “sahih” by Ibn Hibbaan, al-Haakim (4209), al-Dhahabee and others and it has other supporting chains which I (al-Albaanee) have mentioned in al-Saheehah (1856), from them is the hadith of Abu Hurairah which will be mentioned next. 82 I (al-Albaanee) say: This was also reported by Ibn Hibbaan, and al-Haakim in al-Mustadrak (4210). See the previous comment. [TN: al-Tirmidhee also reported this from Abu Hurairah رضي اهلل عنه in his Sunan (3609) but with the wording: ❝While Aadam was between (being) soul and body❞, and graded as “sahih” by Shaikh al-Albaanee.]

In another narration it is: ❝When Aadam was still in the form of mud on the ground. ❞ 83 It is also reported from the hadith of Ibn `Abbaas رضي اهلل عنهما that he asked: O Messenger of Allaah ﷺ! “When was the Prophethood established for you?” He ﷺ said: ❝While Aadam was between (being) soul and body.❞ 84 83 [TN: Musnad Ahmad (17150, 17163) and al-Haakim (3566, 4175) and said the chain of this narration is “sahih” and al-Dhahabee agreed with him.] 84 See al-Saheehah (1856) [TN: A few fabricated or weak Ahaadeeth which are widespread among the people: A) It is attributed to the Prophet ﷺ that he is supposed to have said: ❝I was a Prophet while Aadam was between clay and water.❞ and in another narration attributed to him: ❝I was a Prophet when there was no Aadam, no water or clay.❞ [Shaikh al-Albaanee graded both these narrations as “Mawdhoo`” (Fabricated); Shaikh al-Islaam Ibn Taymiyyah said: “It is baseless, neither from the point of view of transmission nor intellect, and not a single scholar of hadith mentions it, and its meaning is invalid. For Aadam was never in a state in which he was between clay and water, for clay consists of water and mud, rather he was in a state between the spirit and body. Moreover, these misguided people think that the Prophet ﷺ was physically present at that time and that his person was created before all persons, and they support this with Ahaadeeth which are lies (against the Prophet ﷺ), for example, the hadith that he ﷺ used to be light surrounding the Throne, and he ﷺ said: ❝O Jibreel! I was that light.❞ And other claims that he ﷺ had memorized the Qur’aan even before Jibreel had brought it to him.” Al-Suyootee also recorded this in his book “al-Ahaadeeth al-Maudhoo`ah” (fabricated narrations). See “al-Dha`eefah” (302, 303)] B) It is attributed that he ﷺ is supposed to have said: ❝I was the first Prophet to be created and the last to be sent, He (Allaah) began with me before others.❞ [Shaikh al-Albaanee graded it as “Dha`eef” in “al-Dha`eefah” (661)] C) It was said to the Prophet ﷺ: “When was the Prophethood established for you?” He ﷺ is supposed to have said: ❝When Allaah created the earth, then He Istawa (rose over) towards the heaven and made them seven heavens, and He created the `Arsh (Throne), and wrote on (one of) the pillars (or leg) of the Throne: ‘Muhammad is the Messenger of Allaah, and the Seal of the Prophets.’ And Allaah created the Jannah in which Aadam and Hawwaa’ dwelled. Then He (تعاىل) wrote my name on the gates, the tree-leaves, the houses, and tents, while Aadam was still between the spirit and the body. When Allaah تعاىل brought him (Aadam) to life, he looked at the Throne and saw my name, whereupon Allaah (تعاىل) informed him: {He is the Chief of your offspring.} When Shaitaan deceived them, they repented and sought intercession with my name from Him.❞ [Shaikh al-Albaanee graded it as “Munkar” (Rejected) in “al-Dha`eefah” (5709). He further said: The calamity in this narration is Muhammad Ibn Saaleh who is unknown to me, nor did al-Khateeb (al-Baghdaadee) mention him among the teachers of al-Wazzaan (another narrator in the chain). Therefore the hadith is “Munkar” (with this completion). And even if we suppose that he (Muhammad Ibn Saaleh) is reliable, yet the hadith is “Shaadh” (when an acceptable narrator reports in contradiction to someone who is more reliable than him), because he has opposed a group of narrators who were

The Arab Soothsayers: As for the Arab soothsayers, the Shayaateen (devils) from the Jinn used to communicate to them the news which they used to steal (by stealthily listening to the Angels) – i.e. only if they (the Jinn) were not shot down by the shooting star first. The male and female soothsayers would hear from these Shayaateen some of the affairs about the Prophet ﷺ. The Arabs did not pay much attention to it till Allaah تعاىل sent the Prophet ﷺ ; and when they saw that all what they heard was turning into reality, they recognized these signs. 85 more reliable than him, and they only narrated this part of the hadith: ❝(I was a Prophet) while Aadam was between (being) soul and body.❞. See “al-Dha`eefah” (5709)] D) On the authority of `Umar Ibn al-Khattaab رضي اهلل عنه that the Prophet ﷺ (is supposed to have) said: ❝When Aadam committed the sin he raised his head to the Throne and said: ‘I ask you through the right of Muhammad (ﷺ) for your forgiveness.’ Allaah asked Aadam: {How do you know about Muhammad (ﷺ) when I have not created him?} He (Aadam) said: ‘O Allaah! After you created me and breathed into me the soul (which) You (created), I raised my head and saw written on (one of) the pillars of the Throne: “There is no one worthy of worship except Allaah and Muhammad is the Messenger of Allaah.” I then came to know that you would not put anyone’s name next to Yours’ except the one who is most dear to you in your creation. Allaah (تعاىل) said: {You have said the truth O Aadam! Indeed he is most dear to me among the creation. Invoke me through his right. Indeed I have forgiven you. And if there was no Muhammad, I would not have created you.❞ [It was reported by al-Haakim in “al-Mustadrak”, al-Baihaqee in “Dalaa’il al-Nubuwwah”, and graded as “Mawdhoo`” (Fabricated) by alDhahabee, as well as by Shaikh al-Albaanee in “al-Dha`eefah” (25). See also “al-Dha`eefah” (280 and 282)]] 85 [TN: Narrated `Aaishah رضي اهلل عنها: I heard the Messenger of Allaah ﷺ saying: ❝The Angels descend in the clouds and talk about the things that are going to happen on the earth. The devils listen stealthily to such a matter, then come down to inspire the soothsayers with it, and the soothsayers would add to it one-hundred lies of their own.❞ [sahih al-Bukhaaree (3210, 3288)] Narrated `Aaishah رضي اهلل عنها: Some people asked Allaah’s Messenger ﷺ about the soothsayers. Allaah’s Messenger ﷺ said to them: ❝They are nothing (i.e. they are liars).❞ The people said: “O Allaah’s Messenger ﷺ! Sometimes they tell something which comes out to be true.” Allaah’s Messenger ﷺ said: ❝That word which comes to be true is what a Jinn snatches away by stealing and then pours it in the ear of his foreteller with a sound similar to the cackle of a hen, and then they (foretellers) add to it one-hundred lies.❞ [sahih alBukhaaree (5762, 6213, 7561) and sahih Muslim (2228-122, 123)] Narrated Abu Hurairah رضي اهلل عنه: Allaah’s Prophet ﷺ said: ❝When Allaah decrees some order in the heaven, the angels flutter their wings indicating complete surrender to His saying which sounds like chains being dragged on the rock. And when the state of fear disappears, they ask each other: “What has your Lord ordered? They say that {He has said that which is true and just, and He is the Most High, the Most Great.}” [Surah Saba’ (34):23]. Then the stealthy listeners (devils) hear this order, and these stealthy listeners are like this, one over the other. ❞ (Sufyaan, a sub-narrator demonstrated by spreading the fingers of his right hand and placed them one over the other horizontally.) ❝A stealthy listener hears a word which he will convey to that which is below him and the

But when the time for the advent of the Prophet ﷺ came near, the Shayaateen were prevented from listening, and a barrier was placed between them and the place where they used to sit in hiding to steal a hearing, and they were being pelted with meteorites. So the Shayaateen came to know that something major, which Allaah تعاىل had commanded, has taken place. Ibn Is-haaq said: Regarding this incident Allaah تغاىل revealed the following Aayaat to His Messenger ﷺ: ﴿ق ل أ وح ي إ ل َّ أ نَّه اس ت م ع نـ ف ر مِّن اجل نِّ فـ ق ال وا إ نَّا ْس ع ن ا قـ ر آنًا ع ج بًا * يـ ه د ي إ ىل الرُّش د ف آم نَّا ب ه ۖ و ل ن ﴾نُّش ر ك ب ر بـِّن ا أ ح دًا {Say (O Muhammad): “It has been revealed to me that a group of Jinn listened (to this Qur’aan). They said: ‘Verily! We have heard a wonderful Recital (this Qur’aan)! It guides to the Right Path, and we have believed therein, and we shall never join (in worship) anything with our Lord (Allaah)…} [Surah al-Jinn (72) 1 – 2] till the end of the Surah. 86 And we (Ibn Katheer) have explained all that (i.e. the above Surah) in detail in our Tafseer, as well as in the saying of Allaah تعاىل: ﴿ و إ ذ ص ر فـ ن ا إ ل ي ك نـ ف رًا مِّن ِّاجل ن ي س ت م ع ون ال ق ر آن فـ ل مَّا ح ض ر وه ق ال وا أ نص ت وا ۖ فـ ل مَّا ق ض ي و لَّو ا إ ىل ى قـ و م ه م مُّنذ ر ين *ق ال وا ي ا قـ و م ن ا إ نَّا ْس ع ن ا ك ت ابًا أ نز ل م ن بـ ع د م وس ىى م ص دِّقًا لِّم ا بـ ني ي د ي ه يـ ه د ي إ ىل ِّاحل ق و إ ىل ى ط ر يق مُّس ت ق يم﴾ second will convey it to that which is below him till the last of them will convey it to the wizard or foreteller. Sometimes a flame (fire) may strike the devil before he can convey it, and sometimes he may convey it before the flame (fire) strikes him, whereupon the wizard adds to that word a hundred lies. The people will then say: ‘Didn’t he (i.e. magician) tell such-and-such a thing on such-and-such date?’ So that magician is said to have told the truth because of the Statement which has been heard from the heavens.❞ [sahih al-Bukhaaree (4701, 4800)]] 86 [TN: See also Surah al-Saaffaat (37): 6-10]

{And (remember) when We sent towards you (Muhammad) Nafran (three to ten persons) of the Jinn, (quietly) listening to the Qur’aan, when they stood in the presence thereof, they said: “Listen in silence!” And when it was finished, they returned to their people, as warners. They said: “O our people! Verily! We have heard a Book (this Qur’aan) sent down after Moosaa, confirming what came before it, it guides to the truth and to a Straight Path (i.e. Islaam).} [Surah al-Ahqaaf (46): 29-30] And we have explained these Aayaat as well in our Tafseer. 87 87 [TN: Narrated Ibn `Abbaas رضي اهلل عنهما: ❝The Prophet ﷺ set out with the intention of going to Sooq `Ukaaz (market of `Ukaaz, a valley near Taif) along with some of his companions. At the same time, a barrier was put between the devils and the news of heaven. Fire commenced to be thrown at them. The Devils went to their people, who asked them: “What is wrong with you?” They said: “A barrier has been placed between us and the news of heaven. And fire has been thrown at us.” They said: “The thing which has put a barrier between you and the news of heaven must be something which has happened recently. Go eastward and westward and see what has put a barrier between you and the news of heaven.” Those who went towards Tuhaamah came across the Prophet ﷺ at a place called Nakhlah and it was on the way to Sooq `Ukaaz and the Prophet ﷺ was offering the Fajr prayer with his companions. When they heard the Qur’aan they listened to it and said: “By Allaah, this is the thing which has put a barrier between us and the news of heaven.” They went to their people and said: “O our people; {Verily we have heard a wonderful recital (Qur’aan) which shows the true path; we believed in it and would not ascribe partners to our Lord.}" Allaah revealed the following Aayaat to his Prophet (Surah al-Jinn): {Say: It has been revealed to me.} And what was revealed to him was the conversation of the Jinn.❞ [sahih alBukhaaree (773, 4921) and sahih Muslim (449-149)] Shaikh Ibn Baaz رمحه اهلل said: ❝What is apparent from this hadith is that this incident happened after the (five daily) prayers were made obligatory. And the prayers were made obligatory in Makkah, before the Hijrah by three years approx. [al-Hulal al-Ibreeziyyah (3/430)]]