100 Proofs That Islam Is True (Part 7): The Prophecies of the Prophet That Came True
Mufti Faijullah Aman
Introduction
In Part 3 we saw that the Qur'an foretold the Roman victory, and it came true. Alongside the Qur'an, the Prophet (peace be upon him) also foretold many future events in his hadiths. These prophecies were specific and clear, and they were narrated by the companions and recorded in books long before the events took place. Allah says: "He does not speak from his own desire. It is nothing but revelation sent to him." (Surah an-Najm 53:3-4)
Today we will look at some of these prophecies.
1. Shepherds Competing in Tall Buildings
In the Hadith of Jibril, while describing the signs of the Last Hour, the Prophet said: "You will see barefoot, unclothed, poor shepherds of goats competing with one another in constructing tall buildings." (Sahih Muslim)
Fourteen hundred years ago, people in the Arabian desert lived in tents and mud houses. No one could imagine that the descendants of those desert shepherds would one day compete to build the tallest buildings in the world. Yet today, the tallest building in the world stands in the Arabian Peninsula, and the race to surpass it continues.
2. The Good News of Conquering Persia and Rome
During the Battle of the Trench, the Muslims were in extreme danger. Enemies surrounded them from every side, and they were digging the trench with stones tied to their stomachs from hunger. While breaking a hard rock, the Prophet gave the good news that the lands of Syria, Persia, and Yemen would come into the hands of the Muslims. (Musnad Ahmad, Sunan an-Nasa'i)
At a moment when it was uncertain whether the Muslims could even defend Madinah, he foretold victory over the two superpowers of the world! The hypocrites mocked this. Yet within just a few years, during the caliphates of Abu Bakr and Umar (may Allah be pleased with them), all of these regions came under Muslim rule.
3. The Good News of Safety
The companion Adi ibn Hatim (may Allah be pleased with him) said that the Prophet told him: "If you live long, you will see a woman travel alone from al-Hirah (in Iraq) until she performs circumambulation of the Ka'bah, fearing no one but Allah." At that time, the roads of Arabia were full of bandits. Later Adi said: "I saw that woman with my own eyes." (Sahih al-Bukhari)
4. The News Given to Fatimah
On his deathbed, the Prophet whispered to his daughter Fatimah (may Allah be pleased with her) that she would be the first of his family to join him. (Sahih al-Bukhari) About six months after the Prophet passed away, Fatimah passed away. She was the first of his family to follow him.
Think about it: would a liar take the risk of saying something so specific about the death of his own beloved daughter? Had she lived a long life, this single statement would have proven him a liar.
5. The Reconciliation Through Hasan
Pointing to his young grandson Hasan (may Allah be pleased with him), the Prophet said: "This son of mine is a leader. Perhaps Allah will bring about reconciliation through him between two great groups of Muslims." (Sahih al-Bukhari)
About thirty years later, in 41 AH, when two huge Muslim armies stood facing each other, Hasan gave up his claim to leadership and made peace. Bloodshed stopped, and the Muslim community was united again. In history, that year is known as "Am al-Jama'ah," the Year of Unity.
Why These Are Not Coincidences
One or two guesses may come true by chance. But here we see many prophecies, about different matters, at different times, naming specific people and places, and every one of them came true exactly. Astrologers and fortune-tellers speak vaguely so that their words can be fitted to any outcome. The Prophet's prophecies, however, were clear and testable, and any error would have been easily exposed.
Conclusion
The one who gave such precise news of the unseen did not speak from himself. He was informed by the One who knows the past, the present, and the future. And this proves that Muhammad (peace be upon him) is the true Messenger of Allah.
In the next part, the eighth proof, in sha Allah.
