The Life & Character of the Seal of Prophets (sa) - Volume I — Page 236
Seal of the Prophets - Volume I 236 Now the second question remains: what was the purpose of this miracle? In actuality, this is the real and significant question, because only it can reveal the reality and grandeur of this miracle. As such, in this regard, it should be comprehended that according to ‘Ilm-e-Ta‘bīr-e-Ru’yā 1 , the moon is symbolic of sovereignty and reign, whether it be just and equitable or cruel and despotic. 2 Numerous examples of this interpretation can be found in history. Thus, we shall see ahead that when Ṣafiyyah ra , the daughter of a Jewish Cheiftain of Khaibar, Ḥuyaiyy bin Akhtab, saw a dream that the moon had fallen in to her lap, her father also interpreted that one day Ṣafiyyah ra will come into the matrimonial tie of an Arab Ruler. Therefore, it so happened that after the victory of Khaibar, Ṣafiyyah ra came into the matrimonial tie of the Holy Prophet sa. 3 Similarly, when Ḥaḍrat ‘ Ā’ishah ra saw in a dream that three moons have fallen into her chamber, the course of events substantiated this dream, by the same interpretation, the actual purport of which was that the Holy Prophet sa , Ḥaḍrat Abū Bakr ra and Ḥaḍrat ‘ Umar ra were to be buried there. 4 In this case, the purpose of showing the miracle of the moon being rent asunder to the infidels of Makkah was an insinuation that now their rule was about to end and the rule of Islām would be established in its place. In other words, when the infidels of the Quraish demanded a sign from the Holy Prophet sa , God the Almighty showed them the moon rent asunder, so as to inform them that you ask for a sign, while the hour of your death draws near. Therefore, with reference to this miracle, where the Holy Qur’ān uses the words, ُ اِقْتَرَبَة ِ السَّاعَة , (i. e. , the Hour draws nigh), the purpose is to hint towards this very actuality. In other words, when the infidels demanded a sign, by showing them the miracle of the Shaqqul-Qamar , they were informed that, with the end of your reign, the rule of Muḥammad sa shall now be established, which shall be evidence of the Holy Prophet sa being from Allāh. Moreover, since the Quraish understood this indication well, they powerlessly cried out, ٌّ سِحْر ٌ مُّسْتَمِر meaning, ‘O Muḥammad [sa] ! If this actually happens, considering your current state of weakness, then this shall be great magic indeed. ’ In short, the true purpose behind the miracle of the Shaqqul- Qamar was to illustrate before the infidels of Makkah that now your rule comes 1 Science of the Interpretation of Visions (Publishers) 2 Ta‘ṭīrul-Anām fī Ta‘bīril-Manām, p. 279, Bābul-Qāf, Under the word “Qamar” , Beirut (1996) 3 * Usdul-Ghābah, Volume 6, p. 172, Bābu Ṣafiyyah bint Ḥuyaiy bin Akhṭab, Dārul-Fikr, Beirut (2003) * Sharḥul-‘Allāmatiz-Zarqānī ‘alal-Mawāhibil-Ladunniyyah, By Muḥammad bin ‘Abdul-Bāqī Az- Zarqānī, Volume 4, pp. 428-429, Bābu Ṣafiyyati Ummil-Mu’minīn, Dārul-Kutubil-‘Ilmiyyah, Beirut, Lebanon, First Edition (1996) 4 Mu’aṭṭā Im ā m Mālik, Kitābul-Janā’iz, Bābu Mā Jā’a fī Dainil-Maiyyiti, Ḥadīth No. 546