The Splitting of the Moon

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The Splitting of the Moon

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The Splitting of the Moon

Authored By:

Er. Shoaib Mohammed

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The Splitting of the Moon Authored By: Er. Shoaib Mohammed Language: English Publication: 4-Sep-2009 Pages: 40 Price: Rs. 100 Copies: 100 Edition: First Edition Published By: The Press Team (Media Dept, Print Cell) Dawah Islamic Research Organization Office: 2H Tiljala Lane, Kolkata-19 Contact No.: 9433568760 Ladies’ Wing: 9433266021 Website: http://iro.50webs.com E-mail: [email protected] Correspondence: To be addressed to Residential Address of Er. Shoaib Mohammed (Founder, President; d-IRO) Gias Manzil, Flat No. F2, 7/3A Miajan Ostagar Lane, Park Circus, Kolkata - 700 017, India.

No Copyrights We grant any Muslim Organization or individual an open licence to reproduce or translate in any language this booklet or any of our publications. You may publish them for sale or free distribution, without alteration. (A prior permission taken from us is appreciated, as it helps us keep track of the number of copies printed and the translations available.) If we had the means we would have flooded the world with our free literature. All we ask is a few copies for our records. (Any financial aid is most welcome, not as royalties or copyrights from sale, but to support and help us continue our Dawah activities more and more.)

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Preface The Splitting of the Moon, a miracle performed by Prophet Muhammad (s) with the help of Allah (swt), in 617 CE, though a rare miracle, remains unknown to masses of the Non-Muslim population. They are either unaware of the event or they are not convinced about the case. Despite the presence of some books on this subject it has not been effective in conveying the facts related to the event as most of them deal purely from the Islamic perspective citing only Islamic references as proof of the occurrence of the miracle, and as such has not been very convincing to the NonMuslims. The influence behind writing this book has been two-fold. Firstly, when writing my first book ‘The Origin of Islam in India’ it was found that the reason behind the conversion of the first Indian to Islam was that he sighted the splitting of the moon. To know more about this fascinating story please do read the book ‘The Origin of Islam in India’. Secondly, Br. Asad Momin, a friend, was having a discussion with a Non-Muslim brother, when he commented that how come you Muslims believe in such a ludicrous thing as the moon split. It was then that he asked me to provide him with some authentic information about the subject. The present book is the result. I am fortunate that these two events happened in my life, and it may be the case that for the first time such a subject has been discussed from so many different perspectives. Hope the present work will help all of you to gain a comprehensive knowledge about the moon split event, and it will constitute a proof for all times to come.

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Acknowledgement Firstly, I would like to praise and thank Allah (swt) for His help without which nothing is possible. And peace be to all Prophets and Messengers of Allah in general, and to Prophet Muhammad (s) the last Prophet and Messenger of Allah in specific. I would like to thank all the people who have supported me in my Dawah activities, and have encouraged me. With the grace of Allah I have been able to deliver over 100 public talks and author a few pamphlets, in addition to my first book ‘The Origin of Islam in India’. The present book ‘The Splitting of the Moon’ is the second book authored by me. O Allah, accept this effort from Your humble servant, let it be solely for Your sake, to earn Your pleasure thereby, and make it a means for me to attain salvation. I would like to thank Br. Tanveer Ahmed for his effort in getting this book ready for publishing. I would like to thank ‘The d-IRO Press Team, Media Dept, Print Cell’ for making this book possible. I would also like to thank all friends, colleagues, and well-wishers whose encouragement has helped in all my activities. I would like to thank my parents who let me pursue my duties, and my daughter. And, last, but not the least, I would like to thank my wife for the tedious effort she put in for the proof reading of this book, and also for her constant support, which has made it possible to dedicate my life more and more to the services of Islam.

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Dedication This book is Dedicated To My Parents

Abdul Mokid and Rokeya Khatun who helped me gain modern education which has helped me to understand Islam better so that I have been able to strive harder in the field of Dawah.

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Foreword The present book is different from all previous books that might have been written on this subject. It covers the subject matter from various perspectives. It covers the subject matter from the Islamic perspective. This is probably the only point that might be common to all previous books on this subject. It contains references from the Glorious Quran, and the Authentic Hadith. Additionally, it discusses the subject matter from various other viewpoints. It discusses from the religious point of view by quoting the prophecies from the various religious scriptures such as the Bible, the Kalki Purana, the Bhavishya Purana. All these prophecies were fulfilled during the time of Prophet Muhammad (s) when he performed the moon split. The book also discusses the opinion of historians who have recorded the event in the books of history. The historical analysis in the book is very important as it presents evidences in the form of manuscripts and books which preserves the observation of the moon split from various places such as India, China, Maya, Persia, Sham, besides of course Arabia. In Arabia, the several eye-witness accounts of the event provide further authenticity. The book contains several scientific analyses in recent years which prove beyond doubt the truthfulness of the moon split event. The opinion of scientists, geologists, science historians, space scientists, reverts are other exemplary proofs of the fact of the Moon Split event. Er. Shoaib Mohammed 4-Sep-2009 (15th Ramadhan 1430), Friday, Kolkata, India.

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Contents

Preface Acknowledgement Dedication Foreword Sermon Introduction The Splitting of the Moon in the Glorious Quran The Splitting of the Moon in the Hadith The Splitting of the Moon in a History Book The Splitting of the Moon in the other religious Scriptures A Historical Perspective The Moon Split in India Incident of Cheraman Perumal Incident of Raja Bhoj The Moon Split in China The Moon Split in Maya The Moon Split in Persia A Scientific Analysis and Proof A Scientific Explanation A Statement of a Scientist The Story of a Revert to Islam Conclusion Bibliography

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Sermon Alhamdulillahi nahmaduhu wa nastayeenuhu wa nastaghfiruhu wa nu'minubihi wa nata-wakkalu aleyhi wa n'audhubillahi min shururi anfusina wa min sayyati a'malina mai-yahdi-hillahu fala mudhillalahu wa maiyuzlilhu fala hadiyalahu wa ashhadu al la ilaha ilAllahu wahadahu la sharika lahu wa ashhadu anna Muhammadan a'bduhu wa Rasuluhu ammaba'd, fa inna khairal Hadithi Kitabullahi wa khairal hadiyi hadiyu Muhammadin (sal-Allaahu `alayhe wa sallam) wa sharr-al umuri muhadathatuha wa kulla mohadathatin bid'ah wa kulla bid'atin dhalalah wa kulla dhalalatin finnar, fa Audhubillahi minash Shaitanir rajim Bismillahir-Rahmanir-Rahim, Qala Allah (swt) fi Kitabihil Majid‘Iqtarabatis-Saa-‘atu wanshaqqal-Qamar. Bismillahhirrahmanirrahim. Rabbishrahalisadri wayassirliamri wahlulukdatammillisani yafkahuqawli. All praise is due to Allah. We praise Him, seek His help and forgiveness. And we seek refuge in Allah the Most High from the evils of our ownselves and from our bad deeds. Whomsoever Allaah guides none can misguide him and whomsoever Allah misguides there is none to guide such an individual. I bear witness that there is no true god worthy of being worshipped except Allah alone, without partner or associate. I further bear witness that Muhammad (sal-Allaahu `alayhe wa sallam) is His slave and Messenger. May Allah the Exalted bestow his peace and blessings on the final messenger Muhammad, upon his family, his noble companions and all those who follow them. To Proceed: That the most truthful speech is the Quran, the word of Allah and the best of guidance is that of Muhammad (sal-Allaahu `alayhe wa sallam). And the worst of affairs in this religion of ours are the innovations and every innovation is a Bid`ah and every Bid`ah is misguidance and every misguidance is in the hell fire. So, I seek refuge with Allah from Satan the rejected. In the name of Allah the most Gracious the most Merciful. Allah (swt) says in the Glorious Quran, The Hour (of Judgment) is nigh, and the moon was cleft asunder. In the name of Allah the most Gracious the most Merciful. O my Lord! Expand me my breast; Ease my task for me; And remove the impediment from my speech, So they may understand what I say. Dear Reader, I welcome you with the Islamic greeting, Assalamualaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuthu. May peace, mercy, and blessings of Allah (subhanahuwataala) be on all of you. The topic for this book is ‘The Splitting of the Moon.’ I started my book with a quotation from the Glorious Quran from Surah Qamar, Chapter-54 Verse-1, ‘Iqtarabatis-Saa-‘atu wanshaqqal-Qamar. The Hour (of Judgment) is nigh, and the moon was cleft asunder. [Quran, Qamar 54:1]

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We would like to discuss this Historic event, which has been over the ages a subject of great debate, discussion and deliberation, and which has been proved to be Scientifically true only recently, so as to present the great picture to all those who may not be yet aware of this fact recorded in great details in History.

Introduction Prophet Muhammad (s) performed several miracles during his lifetime, but the Quran does not boast about the miracles, for indeed the Quran is a Miracle in itself. The disbelievers of Makka demanded miracles from the Prophet (s), And they say: why are not signs sent down to him from his Lord? (Quran 29:50) The Prophet (s) replied, I tell you not that with me are the treasures of Allah, nor do I know what is hidden, nor do I tell you I am an angel. I but follow what is revealed to me. (Quran 6:50) Listen further to the most dignified reply he is commanded by his Lord to give to the unbelievers, Say (O Muhammad): 'The signs (miracles) are indeed with Allah: And most certainly I am only a clear warner!' (Quran 29:50) Is it not enough for them that we have sent down to thee (O Muhammad) the Book (al-Quran) which is rehearsed to them? Verily, in it (this perspicuous book) is a mercy and reminder to those who believe. (Quran 29:51) Yet, one of the most profound miracles performed by the Prophet (s) was ‘the Splitting of the Moon’, which is mentioned in brief in the Quran in Surah (Chapter) Qamar 54:1. The Splitting of the Moon (Arabic: In-Shaqq al-Qamar) is a miracle done by Prophet Muhammad (s). The incident is mentioned in many early Islamic traditions as the context of revelation (asbab annuzul) for the Quranic verse 54:1. These early traditions are transmitted on the authority of companions of Prophet Muhammad (s) such as Abdullah bin Abbas, Anas bin Malik, Abdullah bin Masud and others.

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An artist's impression of the splitting of the moon by Prophet Muhammad (s) based on Islamic traditions

The unbelievers of Makkah said to the prophet that if you are truly a prophet split the moon and if you do we shall believe. It was a full moon that night… And so the prophet prayed to Allah to grant him this miracle, and the moon was split. The people said that the prophet has placed a spell on us, however if he played a trick on us, then he cannot play a trick on all the people in the world! Abu Jahl then said: “Let us wait until the people of Albadiah (a tribe) come, and if they saw the moon split, then it is true, if not then we all know it was a trick of magic.” When the people of Albadiah came they said that they too saw the moon split, and the disbelievers said, “Oh, how powerful Muhammad’s magic is!” Then Allah revealed Verse in Quran in Surah Qamar: “The hour has come near and the moon has split, [Quran, Qamar 54:1] This took place in the days of Prophet Muhammad (s) in Makka.

The Splitting of the Moon in the Glorious Quran The incident of the Splitting of the Moon is mentioned in the Glorious Quran, Surah Qamar 54:1-8, The Hour (of Judgment) is nigh, and the moon was cleft asunder. But if they see a Sign, they turn away, and say, ‘This is (but) continuous magic.’

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They reject (the warning) and follow their (own) lusts but every matter has its appointed time. There have already come to them Recitals wherein there is (enough) to check (them), Mature wisdom;- but (the preaching of) Warners profits them not. Therefore, (O Prophet,) turn away from them. The Day that the Caller will call (them) to a terrible affair, They will come forth,- their eyes humbled - from (their) graves, (torpid) like locusts scattered abroad, Hastening, with eyes transfixed, towards the Caller!- ‘Hard is this Day!’, the Unbelievers will say. [The Glorious Quran, Surah Qamar 54:1-8]

The Splitting of the Moon in the Hadith The Moon Splitting is also mentioned in the Hadith (Tradition of Prophet Muhammad (s)). Authentic Hadith accounts testify that five years before Hijra in 617 CE in the fullmoon night of Rajab, Abu Jahl et al challenged Prophet Muhammad (s) to split the moon in proof of his prophethood. And so the Prophet (s) prayed to Allah to grant him this miracle. He pointed his finger at the moon and moved it, and the moon was split in two. It was seen in the entire Arab land, in Sham (Syria), and elsewhere. As per narrations of Abdullah bin Masud: “During the lifetime of the Prophet, the moon was split into two parts and on that the Prophet said, ‘Bear witness (to this).’” [Sahih Bukhari, Volume 4, Book 56, Book of Virtues and Merits of the Prophet and his Companions, Hadith 830] The Eye-Witness Accounts We have several eye-witnesses for the event of the splitting of the moon as recorded in the Hadith. Let us look at some of the narrations. The miracle of the splitting of the moon is recorded by Imam Bukhari, in his Sahih Bukhari. This miracle is also recorded by Imam Muslim in Sahih Muslim. Most of these Ahadith speak of "the splitting of the moon into two parts". This story is included in the works of such great hadith scholars as Bukhari, Muslim, Tirmidhi, Ahmad, Abu Dawud, Hakim, Bayhaqi, and Abu Nu`aym. The one that has detailed reporting narrated by Anas bin Malik reads, Narrated Anas bin Malik: "The people of Mecca asked Allah's Messenger to show them a miracle. So he showed them the moon split in two halves between which they saw the Hira mountain." [Sahih Bukhari, Volume 5, Book 58, Merits of the Helpers in Madinah (Ansaar), Hadith 208] The Hadith have been narrated by some of the most learned companions of the Prophet (s) such as Abdullah bin Masud, Anas bin Malik, Abdullah bin Abbas, Abdullah bin Umar, Ali, Hudhayfa, Shuba, among others. Some of the references of the Hadith are as follows: Sahih Bukhari,

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Volume 4, Book-56 (Virtues and Merits of the Prophet and his Companions), Hadith-830,831,832, Volume-5, Book-58 (Merits of the Helpers in Madinah), Hadith-208,209,210,211, Volume-6, Book-60 (Prophetic Commentary on the Qur'an), Hadith-345,387,388,389,390,391. Sahih Muslim, Volume-4, Book-39, Chapter-8, Hadith-6721,6724,6725,6726,6727,6728,6729,6730. The large number of eye-witness accounts prove the historicity of the miracle as was observed and recorded. We have a Hadith of Sahih Muslim which states that the incident of the Splitting of the Moon happened twice. "Anas reported that the people of Mecca demanded from Allah's Messenger (s) that he should show them (some) signs (miracles) and he showed them the splitting of the moon, twice." [Sahih Muslim, Book 039, The Book Giving Description of the Day of Judgement, Paradise and Hell (Kitab Sifat Al-Qiyamah wa'l Janna wa'n-Nar), Hadith 6728] Some scholars find it difficult to understand this Hadith which states the moon split twice, as this is the only Hadith that speak of the splitting of the moon having occurred twice. All the other Hadith which state about the splitting of the moon, simply states that the moon was split into two, they do not provide any additional information as to how many times it split. To assume from all these Hadith that the moon split only once and then to suggest that the Hadith which speaks of the moon split having occurred twice is a contradiction is wrong. This is simply a case of an error in assumption. A contradiction would have occurred if some Hadith were to state that the moon split once. But here we find that this is a case of contradistinction. Contradistinction means speaking about two different concepts on the same subject without conflict. All the other Hadith speak that the moon split into two. The Hadith in question gives us additional information that the moon split into two, and this incident occurred twice. So, we find there is no contradiction. But another problem still exists. That if the moon split occurred twice, then when did it actually happen, for it is widely accepted that the moon split took place in 617 CE. According to authentic Hadith accounts the moon split occurred five years before Hijrah in 617 CE in the fullmoon night of Rajab. According to Maududi, the traditionists and commentators have agreed that this incident took place at Mina in Makkah about five years before the Holy Prophet’s Hijrah (migration) to Madinah. Let us look at some more details to be able to solve when did the moon split occur, if it occurred twice. According to a tradition, the disbelievers of Makkah have been warned for their stubbornness which they had adopted against the invitation of the Holy Prophet (s). The great sphere of the Moon had split into two distinct parts in front of their very eyes. The two parts had separated and receded so much apart from each other that to the on-lookers one part had appeared on one side of the mountain and the other on the other side of it. Then, in an instant the two had rejoined. According to another tradition, when Abu Jahl and others challenged Prophet Muhammad (s) to split the moon in proof of his prophethood, he pointed his finger at the moon and moved it. And the

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moon split in two, it remained so till it set. It was seen in the entire Arab land, in Sham (Syria), and elsewhere. If we look at the above two traditions apparently there seems to be a contradiction. That is, after the moon split, did it rejoin in an instant or did it remain so till it set. Actually, both happened. But the question is, how. Both happened, one after the other, that is the moon split occurred twice, and this happened at the same night. That explains away the apparent contradiction. First, the moon split and in an instant rejoined. Then, the moon split for the second time and remained so till it set. And it is for this reason we never find two dates for this historical event. All historical records agree that the moon split occurred in 617 CE. So, the explanation is that the moon split occurred twice as per the Hadith and both occurred in 617 CE in the same night.

The Splitting of the Moon in a History Book The Miracle of the Splitting of the Moon was seen in India. [Al-Bidaya wa’l-Nihaya, volume 2, part 3, page 116 (Al-Bidaya wa’l-Nihaya is a Book of History by Ibn Kathir)]

The Splitting of the Moon in the other religious Scriptures i) Bible It is mentioned in the Bibe, Then the moon shall be confounded, and the sun ashamed, when the Lord of hosts shall reign in mount Zion, and in Jerusalem, and before his ancients gloriously. [Bible, Old Testament, Isaiah 24:23] The above verse has three prophecies mentioned in it. First, it is referring to the miracle of moon splitting that Prophet Muhammad (s) performed and has been mentioned earlier (Quran 54:1). The second thing that this verse is describing is the conquest of Khaiyber by Muslims. Khaiyber was a very strong hold of Jews. The third thing in the same verse is about (Isra) Mera’aj (Quran 17:1,60;53:10,12,14-18;94:1). In other words this verse contains ‘3’ prophecies about Prophet Muhammad. All three prophecies have come to pass! ii) Hindu Scriptures a) Kalki Purana It is mentioned in Kalki Purana that Kalki will split the moon. This prophecy came to be fulfilled during the time of Prophet Muhammad (s) when he split the moon into two. This was observed by Cheraman Perumal, the Indian king of Kodungallur in Kerala. He later accepted Islam. Cheraman Perumal became the first Indian to accept Islam. b) Bhavishya Purana There is an interesting information in Bhavishya Purana that Mahaamad (Muhammad) would appear

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to Raja Bhoj, and say that he would establish the religion of truth, by the command of Ishwar i.e. God. This prophecy too came to be fulfilled during the time of Prophet Muhammad (s), when he split the moon into two. Raja Bhoj, the Indian king of Dhar in Madhya Pradesh, saw this from his palace. He too accepted Islam. Raja Bhoj was the second Indian to accept Islam.

A Historical Perspective i) The Moon Split in India The Splitting of the Moon was seen by two rulers in India, namely Cheraman Perumal of Kodungallur, Kerala and Raja Bhoj of Dhar, Madhya Pradesh. Both of them investigated the phenomenon and traced it to the promised last Avatar to be born in Arabia. They identified him with the last Messenger, the last Prophet of God, got in touch with him and accepted Islam! a) Incident of Cheraman Perumal Cheraman Perumal, the king of Kodungallur, Kerala, India in 612-632 CE, was the first Indian to accept Islam. Many historians have recorded this fact in their writings. He was the king of Muzuris (now Kodungallur) in Malabar. He was the last Chera king of the First Chera Empire. In those days, the senior most of the rulers of Kerala was called as Cheraman Perumal. So, Cheraman Perumal was a title of the king and not his name, his name was Chakrawati Farmas. However, he is more popularly remembered in history as Cheraman Perumal. Chakrawati Farmas (Cheraman Perumal) is recorded to have seen the moon split. The incident relating to Chakrawati Farmas is documented in an old manuscript kept at the India Office Library, London, reference number: Arabic, 2807, 152-173. It was quoted in the book ‘Muhammad Rasulullah’, by M. Hamidullah: “A group of Muslim merchants passing by Malabar on their way to China spoke to the king about how God had supported the Arabian prophet with the miracle of the splitting of the moon. The shocked king said he had seen it with his own eyes as well, deputized his son, and left for Arabia to meet the Prophet in person. He embraced Islam at the hand of the Prophet.” Prophet Muhammad (s) named him Tajuddin (the crown of faith). A tradition of the Holy Prophet (s) has also been reported from one of the companions, Abu Saeed al-Khudri, regarding the arrival of Cheraman Perumal, "A king from India presented the Messenger of God with a bottle of pickle that had ginger in it. The Holy Prophet distributed it among his companions. I also received a piece to eat." (Hakim reports in 'Al Musthadrak) [Hadees, Kitab al Mustadrak Saheehain by Al Imam Al Hafiz Abi Abdillah Al Hakim, Volume-4, Chapter-33, Kitabul Ath’ama, Page-241] Malik bin Dinar, a companion of Prophet Muhammad (s), is famous for being the first to bring Islam to India.

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The incident of the Splitting of the Moon, a miracle performed by Prophet Muhammad (s), took place in 617 CE. Soon afterwards in 617 CE itself Malik bin Dinar and 12 of his trade associates landed in Kerala. The Arabs discussed with Cheraman Perumal, they described the tenets of Islam and talked about Prophet Muhammad (s). The king wanted to know if there was any proof that this person is indeed a prophet. The traders described the miracle of the splitting of the moon into two, performed by Prophet Muhammad (s). The king, who had himself witnessed the event, then summoned his Hindu astrologers who consulted their almanacs and reported a similar phenomenon recorded by them. The king forthwith abdicated his throne and left with Malik bin Dinar for Arabia where it is chronicled that he met Prophet Muhammad (s) and performed the famous Last Hajj with him. On his journey back, he died at Salalah in Oman, where his grave is a famous landmark today. Before his death, he had handed over to Malik bin Dinar, several letters addressed to the ruler of Kodungallur (then known as Muzuris) and other Kerala kings, seeking their help to propagate the tenets of Islam and build masjids. Cheraman Masjid is believed to be the first masjid in India built in 629 CE at Kodungallur by Malik bin Dinar and it is the second oldest Juma masjid in the world next only to the Prophet’s Masjid in Madinah. Malik bin Dinar and others also built several other masjids in Malabar. A historical document about the incident of Cheraman Perumal is a manuscript found in Cheraman Masjid written by Habib bin Dinar. It proves Cheraman Perumal went to Makkah. Cheraman Perumal was the first Indian to accept Islam. b) Incident of Raja Bhoj Raja Bhoj, the king of Dhar, Madhya Pradesh, India, was the second Indian to accept Islam. There is still a city Bhoj after his name in the territory of Kachh (Gujarat). Actually at the time of Prophet Muhammad of Arabia, Raja Bhoj was the king of Dhar in Malwa. When he saw from his palace that the full moon was split into two he raised an alarm. He feared the world was coming to an end. He asked the Pundits about this incident, they studied the Sanskrit Holy Books of India, the Vedas and Puranas, and told the king that this is the miracle of last prophet, this was the work of a very great personage whose name was Mahamad of the deserts of Arabia, who was the greatest messenger of God to come on this earth. Raja Bhoj came to know that he appeared in Makkah. Raja Bhoj and his minister went to Makkah in Arabia, offered gifts to the Holy Prophet Muhammad (s) and accepted Islam. Prophet Muhammad (s) named him Abdullah. When he came back to home his family did not accept him. He spent his whole life in remembering the Prophet and in worship of one God. Thus the foretelling made in the Bhavishya Purana over 4000 years earlier became absolutely true including the name of Raja Bhoj. The tomb of Abdullah is still there at Dhar.

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Raja Bhoj was the second Indian to accept Islam. For more information about ‘The Origin of Islam in India’, please refer to a book by the same title authored by me.

ii) The Moon Split in China The splitting of the moon event which occurred in the 7th Century CE was recorded by the Chinese astronomers. The event happened at the time of Sun Wu Kong (the Chinese King). It resulted in a broad sweeping change of the Calendar in China, the Chinese astronomers recorded that the year became longer by 5 days due to the reorganization of the phases of the moon. Thus, China was also affected at the 7th Century CE at the time of the split moon event. The Chinese celebrate a festival which they call as the Moon Festival. The origin of the moon festival is not very clear. However it dates back to a period between the Sui dynasty (581 CE) and Tang dynasty (618 CE). The festival is also known as the Mooncake Festival. On this day the celebration is accompanied by ‘Eating Moon-cakes outside under the moon which is cut into two halves.’

Moon-cakes are often eaten during the festival

According to Chinese tradition, a possible explanation is that it signifies the Moon Split event performed by Prophet Muhammad (s), which has also been recorded in the Chinese manuscripts. And cutting the moon-cake into two halves which is a must before eating signifies the moon split. Another significant observation is that the period of origin is traced back to a date when the moon split actually took place in the year 617 CE. iii) The Moon Split in Maya (America) The moon split is even recorded in the Maya or Aztec Civilization. The Maya astronomers, who saw it, actually recorded the split moon in the tiny glyphs in the Madrid Codex. iv) The Moon Split in Persia The moon split is recorded in the Persian Manuscripts. It is mentioned in the Falnameh, a Persian Book of Prophecies, in the Chapter, Muhammad splits the moon.

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A Scientific Analysis and Proof The following image shows how the moon's fault line splits it in half.

A Lunar Rille - Credit: Apollo 10, NASA

NASA’s Explanation: What could cause a long indentation on the Moon? First discovered over 200 years ago with a small telescope, rilles (rhymes with pills) appear all over the Moon. Three types of rilles are now recognized: sinuous rilles, which have many meandering curves, arcuate rilles which form sweeping arcs, and straight rilles, like Ariadaeus Rille pictured above. Long rilles such as Ariadaeus Rille extend for hundreds of kilometers. Sinuous rilles are now thought to be remnants of ancient lava flows, but the origins of arcuate and linear rilles are still a topic of research. The above linear rille was photographed by the Apollo 10 crew in 1969 during their historic approach to only 14-kilometers above the lunar surface. Two months later, Apollo 11, incorporating much knowledge gained from Apollo 10, landed on the Moon. [Source: The NASA Website - http://apod.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap021029.html]

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This oblique view of the Moon's surface was photographed by the Apollo 10 astronauts in May of 1969. Center point coordinates are located at 13 degrees, 3 minutes east longitude and 7 degrees, 1 minute north latitude. One of the Apollo 10 astronauts attached a 250mm lens and aimed a handheld 70mm camera at the surface from lunar orbit for a series of pictures in this area.

The American Apollo mission of 1967 obtained a couple of remarkable photographs of the hidden side of the moon. They show a strange feature, a 240 km long cleavage 8 km wide. The edges appear to be result of striking with a huge weapon rather than a crack of geological origin. To this day no explanation has been offered. An article appeared in Islamic Voice a decade ago along with the photographs suggesting that the feature is the remnant of splitting of the moon by Prophet (s). A Scientific Explanation Recent scientific research has confirmed the miracle of Prophet Muhammad (s) regarding “moon splitting”. It has been proved through a picture captured by NASA which was published throughout the world. The photo from NASA using Apollo 10 and Apollo 11 shows a clear indication (a line) that the Moon was split in past. The report, spread on scientific foundations in different global parts, said that the picture which illustrates splitting of moon confirms that the moon was split into two halves during its geological age. The report said the scientists were unable to give any scientific explanation for happening of ‘moon splitting’ as any such splitting was never happened to any heavenly body prior to what happened to the moon. The geologists assert that it is impossible that such a line appears save the moon was split into two halves and then it was rejoined. This miracle of the Prophet (s) is mentioned in the beginning of Sura Al-Qamar (the moon) about the split of the moon *54:1+ ‘The Hour has drawn near, and the moon has been cleft asunder (the people of Makkah requested Prophet Muhammad to show them a miracle, so he showed them the splitting of the moon)’. The miracle existed at that time for the people of Quraiesh when they challenged the Prophet Muhammad (s) to show them a miracle, or a proof that he is the Messenger of Allah. The challenge was to split the moon in to two pieces when it is full. As was related by Abdullah bin Masud, while they were in Mina one night, Prophet Muhammad (s) split the moon into two by a gesture of his index finger. The two parts had separated and receded so much apart from each other that to the on-lookers one part had appeared on one side of the mountain and the other on the other side of it. Then in an instant the two had rejoined. Then, the Prophet (s) turned to us and said: ‘Be witnesses!’ The amazing and wonderful phenomenon of the splitting of the Moon when it was full was a manifest sign of the truth that the Resurrection, of which the Holy Prophet was giving them the news, could take place and that it had approached near at hand. This was a manifest proof of the truth that the system of the Universe was neither eternal nor immortal it could be disrupted. David Mosa Pidcook (leader of British Muslim Party) said: It was

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shown in BBC a program where there was a debate between three experts. The discussion was about if the amount of money paid by NASA to send a human to land on the surface of the moon to study the inner structure of the moon was worth it or not?? The American government authorized a budget of US$ 100,000,000,000 (one hundred thousand million dollars) for this project. One of the discoveries of that project was that there is a layer of material that splits the moon into two halves and the only explanation to this discovery that the moon was split at some times in its history and rejoined!!! [Source: Crack on moon confirms Prophet Muhammad (s) had split it, Mohamed Ali, New York, United States]

The picture shows the location of the Rocky Belt or the Fault Line, where the moon was once split in the past. Geologists conclude that this couldn’t be unless the moon was once split and resealed. The rocks on the belt are a result of the impact during the time that the two halves of the moon recombined.

A Statement of a Scientist An Earth Sciences Professor, Dr. Zaghloul El-Naggar, narrates to us the following incident. Anas bin Malik narrated that the people of Makkah asked the Prophet (s) to show them a miracle, so he showed them the splitting of the moon , into two distinct parts , that they even saw the mountain of Hira between them. Explanation of the HadithThis incident was narrated by a number of the companions of the Prophet (s), among them were: 'Abdullah ibn 'Umar, 'Abdullah ibn Abbas and others. The Indian and Chinese calendars have recorded the incident of the splitting of the moon. A few years ago while I was giving a lecture at the Faculty of Medicine at Cardiff University, in Wales, a Muslim asked me a question about the verses at the beginning of Surat al-Qamar (the moon), about the splitting of the moon, and whether it is considered as one of the scientific signs which are mentioned in the Qur'an and whether there is any scientific evidence discovered to explain this incident. My answer was that this incident is considered one of the most tangible miracles, which took place to support the Prophet (s) when he was challenged by the polytheists and disbelievers of Quraish, showing them this miracle to prove that he is a Messenger of Allah. Anyway, miracles take place as unusual incidents that break all regular laws of nature. Therefore, conventional science is unable to explain how miracles take place, and if they were not mentioned in the Qur'an and in the Sunnah of

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the Prophet (s), we would not have been obliged to believe in them. Therefore, we believe that the incident of the splitting of the moon took place exactly as the words of Allah Glorified be Who says: The Hour has drawn near, and the moon has been cleft asunder. And if they see a sign, they turn away, and say: (This is continuous magic). They belied (this Qur'an), and followed their own lusts. And every matter will be settled [according to the kind of deeds (for the doer of good deeds, his deeds will take him to Paradise, and similarly evil deeds will take their doers to Hell)]. And indeed there has come to them news (in this Qur'an) wherein there is (enough warning) to check (them from evil), Perfect wisdom (this Qur'an), but (the preaching of) warners benefit them not. [Surat Al-Qamar (The Moon) 54: 1-5] When I finished my speech, a British man from the audience named Dawud Musa Pidcock, Leader of The Islamic Party of Britain, asked to add something to my answer. He said: “It is these verses, at the beginning of Surat al-Qamar that made me embrace Islam in the late seventies.” This occurred while he was doing extensive research in comparative religion, and one of the Muslims gave him a copy of translation of the meanings of the Qur'an. When he opened this copy for the first time, he came across Surat al-Qamar, and he read the verses at the beginning of the surah, and could not believe that the moon had split into two distinct parts and they were rejoined, so he closed the copy of the translation and kept it aside. In 1978 Mr. Pidcock was destined by Allah's Will to watch a program in BBC about space journeys, in which the well-known British announcer James Burke, received two of the American space scientists. During the debate, the announcer kept criticizing the immoderate spending by NASA (billions of dollars) on space projects, while there are millions of people on earth suffering from starvation, diseases and ignorance. The answer of the space experts came to assert that it was these journeys that made it feasible to develop important technology applied in medical diagnosis and treatment, industry, agriculture, and many other fields. During this debate, they referred to the first time that a human being landed on the surface of the moon, and how this trip cost more than $ 100 billion dollars. The scientists went on to say that this journey proved a scientific fact, that if they had spent several times as much as they did to convince people with it, nobody would have believed them. This fact was that the moon had been split a long time ago and rejoined, and there is a lot of concrete evidence on the surface of the moon to prove this. Mr. Pidcock went on to say : “ When I heard this , I jumped off my chair , and said this is a miracle which took place fourteen hundred years ago to support Muhammad , and the Qur'an narrates it in such a detailed way . After this long period and during the age of science and technology, Allah employs people (non-Muslims) who spent all this money for nothing but to prove that this miracle had actually happened. Then, I said to myself, this must be the true religion, and I went back to the translation of the meanings of the Qur'an, reading it eagerly. It was these verses at the opening of Surat al-Qamar that lie behind my reversion to Islam.” This happens at a time when some Muslims claim that the splitting of the moon has not yet taken place, and that it is one of the signs of the Hereafter as the opening of the surah says: The Hour has drawn near. They are oblivious to the fact that the Prophet (s) said in a hadith narrated by Imam Muslim , on the authority of Sahl ibn Sa'd that Sahl said : "I heard the Messenger of Allah (s) say: “I and the Last Hour are (close to each other) like this (and he pointed by joining his forefinger, (one) next to the thumb and the middle finger (together).”

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Those who deny the incident of the splitting of the moon, use incorrect evidence to support their opinion as they use the verse in Surat al-Isra: And nothing stops Us from sending the evidences (proofs, signs) but that the people of old denied them. [Surat Al-Isrâ' (The Journey by Night) 17: 59] This verse is not used in the right context since many perceptible signs and miracles took place during the noble life of the Prophet (s). Peace and blessings of Allah be upon the seal of Prophets (s) , for whom Allah made the moon split into two parts , twice, as an honor for him and to raise his rank and support his message (among his people) , and left for us a concrete evidence to prove that this splitting did actually take place . [Source: The Moon Cleft Asunder, Dr. Zaghloul El-Naggar, Earth Sciences Professor] In 2002 during the month of Ramadan on CNN, there was a panel composed of four people. A Jew, a Christian, a Muslim and a NASA representative. On such month it was discovered by NASA that the MOON seemed as though it was two pieces at one stage and it was suggested that if it was so that man could have not done it but God Himself. The question was posed to all members if there was anything in their scripture to support the idea that the MOON could have been two pieces. No one but the Muslim was able to give an account on the matter. [Source: CNN]

The Story of a Revert or Convert to Islam - Daud (David Musa Pidcock) We would like to present before you a few correspondences of a revert Daud, whom we have already encountered during the research paper. Correspondence 1: Dear Moneer, I was in Wales at a gathering in a mosque, which Dr Zagloul El Najjar was asked if any evidence existed to confirm the splitting of the moon, he said he was unaware of any, I said that I had seen a TV interview with James Burke in which two American Scientists, when asked why manned missions to the moon were necessary, they mentioned the "Thumper" experiments which placed 13 explosive charges on the moon’s surface, which would be difficult for robots to carry out. I think these were done during the Apollo 13 or 14 mission. The seismic result seemed to indicate that: "the moon was split at some point and joined together again". All it did was confirm to me that the Qur'an was correct. Wassalam. Daud (David Musa Pidcock) Correspondence 2: Dear Sir (Daud Pidcock), I apology because English language is not my native language. Please answer with yes or no regarding the two following questions: 1. Did you personally watch the BBC programme regarding the American scientists at that time in which they mentioned splitting of the moon? YES or NO

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2. Did you hear the American scientists mentioning any possibility of the splitting? YES or NO I am really sorry for bothering you but these two questions are very important for me. Your brother Assalamu alaikum. Reply1. Yes - the programme followed the Apollo 13 - 14 Thumper Experiments. 2. The results - readings of the "Thumper" seismographic explosions indicate that "It was as if the moon was split and joined together again..." With best regards Yours in Islam David Musa Pidcock Leader of The Islamic Party of Britain [Source: Moon Split, David Musa Pidcock]

Conclusion The Moon Split was a very significant event which changed the history of the world. Among other things it was witnessed not only by the Arabs, but it impacted and was recorded far and wide throughout the world, including the civilizations in India and China. It firmly established the supremacy of the Glorious Quran as the Criterion to differentiate between right and wrong. It proved the divine origin of the Quran, that none but Allah (swt) can be the source or author of the Quran. It also proved the prophethood of Prophet Muhammad (s) who performed the miracle of the moon split, with the command of Allah (swt). The innumerable eye-witnesses also bear testimony to the event which has been recorded for the generations to come afterwards. It is not only mentioned in the Quran and the Hadith (the Islamic Scriptures), but also is prophesized in the other religious Scripture which came to be fulfilled during the lifetime of Prophet Muhammad (s). History bears testimony to the event by preserving it in manuscripts for the posterity to witness it. And, finally, today, even Science, which is the ultimate criteria for many, has confirmed the moon split event, removing all doubts from the minds of the sceptics by providing scientific evidences which attest to the occurrence of the event. To conclude then, the Moon Split event is no more a matter of conjecture, it never was, but it is a FACT which proves itself in all perceivable aspects. I would like to conclude the book with a quotation from the Glorious Quran from Surah Fussilat, Chapter 41 Verse 53, Sa-nuriihim ‘Ayaatinaa fil-‘aafaaqi wa fiii ‘anfusihim hattaa yatabayyana lahum ‘anna-hul-Haqq. Soon will We show them our Signs in the (furthest) regions (of the earth), and in their own souls, until it becomes manifest to them that this is the Truth. [Quran, Fussilat 41:53] Rabbanaa ta-qabbal minnaa: ‘innaka ‘Antas-Samii-‘ul-‘Aliim. Our Lord! Accept (this service) from us: For Thou art the All-Hearing, the All-Knowing. Wa akhiru da wa na, anil Hamdu lillahi Rabbilalamin. And the end of our cry will be: "Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the worlds!"

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Bibliography 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23.

Al-Quran Al-Karim (Arabic) The Glorious Quran, Yusuf Ali (Translation in English) Bible Bhavishya Purana Kalki Purana Sahih Bukhari Sahih Muslim Sunan Abu Dawud Mustadrak Hakim Al-Bidaya wa’l-Nihaya, Ismail bin Kathir The Split Moon, Liyaqath Ali Kalyuge Ke Antim Rishi, Dr. Kamala Kant Tewari Antim Ishwar Doot, Pundit Dharm Ved Apadhye Worlds in Collision, Imanuel Velikovsky Falnameh The Madrid Codex NASA (Website) Crack on moon, Mohamed Ali (New York, United States) The Moon Cleft Asunder, Dr. Zaghloul El-Naggar Space Journeys, BBC (James Burke, 1978) Moon - Discovery of NASA, CNN (Ramadan, 2002) Moon Split, David Musa Pidcock The Origin of Islam in India, Er. Shoaib Mohammed

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Back Cover About the Author Er. Shoaib Mohammed - President, d-IRO

An Engineer by professional training, Er. Shoaib Mohammed is an outstanding speaker on Islam and Comparative Religion. Er. Shoaib Mohammed presents Islam in the correct perspective and clarifies misconceptions about Islam, using verbatim quotes and references from the Qur'an, authentic Hadith and other religious Scriptures as a basis, in conjunction with reason, logic and science, as well as proper context, statistics, and facts. As a Student of Islam & Comparative Religion, he remains active in Dawah activities, and is a dynamic Daee. He also leads the Jumuah (Friday) Prayer. Er. Shoaib is popular for his critical analysis and convincing answers to challenging questions posed by audiences after his public talks. In the last 4 years, Ever since his first public talk in the year 2006 at the age of only 23 yrs, Er. Shoaib Mohammed has delivered more than 100 public talks in different parts of Kolkata, at other places in West Bengal, and once in Mumbai. Most of his talks are in English though occasionally on request he has delivered talks in Bengali and Urdu. Muslims and Non-Muslims alike who have come in contact with him are greatly inspired by his talks. He is presently only 26 years of age. His public Inter-faith Dialogue with prominent Hindu Guru, Dr. Harish Chandra (Vedic-Scholar, Humanitarian Leader, and Spiritual Scientist), on the topic ‘Understanding, VEDIC-DHARM & ISLAM, In the Light of the Sacred Scriptures’ held at Kala Mandir, Kolkata, on 29-Mar-2009, was a resounding success, and was highly appreciated by people of both the faiths. Er. Shoaib Mohammed has appeared on local Cable TV in Kolkata, and has been covered in the Newspapers published in Kolkata in three languages Urdu (Akhbar-e-Mashriq), English (The Statesman), and Bengali (Dainik Statesman).

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About d-IRO Dawah Islamic Research Organization is today, an authoritative Dawah Organization based in Kolkata. With its full time efforts it has steadily created an impact both among Non-Muslim and Muslim audiences. Ever since its inception, the Organization has been involved with Dawah activities by conducting programs, and publishing pamphlets. It has conducted over a hundred programs, and distributed pamphlets from time to time.

Books Authored by Er. Shoaib Mohammed 1. 2.

The Origin of Islam in India The Splitting of the Moon

Price: Rs. 100

Dawah Islamic Research Organization (d-IRO) Office: 2H Tiljala Lane, Ground Floor, P.O. Ballygunge, Kolkata-700 019, India. Contact No.: 9433568760, Ladies’ Wing: 9433266021. Website: http://iro.50webs.com E-mail: [email protected] [official], [email protected] [queries]. Correspondences: To be addressed to Residential Address of Er. Shoaib Mohammed [Founder, President; d-IRO]: Gias Manzil, Flat No. F2, 7/3A Miajan Ostagar Lane, Kolkata – 700 017.