Answered by: Maulana Naieem Mohammad
Question
Is there any narration regarding Nabi (saw) not having a shadow
بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمنِ الرَّحِيْم
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
Answer:
There are a few famous narrations which mention that the Prophet (s.a.w.) did not have a shadow. However, these narrations are categorized as very weak[1] by the experts of Hadith.
The following is one such example:
Zakwan reports that Rasulullah (sallallahu ’alayhi wasallam) never had a shadow.[2]
The narrations which attribute a shadow to the Prophet (s.a.w.) have a much more sound categorization,e.g.
Sayyiduna Anas ibn Malik (radiyallahu’anhu) that Rasulullah (sallallahu ’alayhi wasallam) said (as part of a longer narration mentioning the fruits of jannat):
‘… and I saw my and your shadows’.[3]
In addition to the stronger hadith concerning attributing a shadow to the prophet (s.a.w.) we find in the Quran that Allah mentions,
- ”Say, “If there were upon the earth angels walking securely, We would have sent down to them from the heaven an angel [as a] messenger.”[4]
- “And they say, “What is this messenger that eats food and walks in the markets? Why was there not sent down to him an angel so he would be with him a warner?”[5]
The above verses of the Quran mention very clearly that the Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.) was not an Angel and he possessed all human qualities and needs such as the need to eat and have a livelihood. If the Prophet (s.a.w.) was indeed from the children of Adam as we believe then it is only obvious that he would possess human attributes like having a shadow or feeling the urge to the call of nature, etc. No matter what narrations we may discover or whatever reasons we may use, as long as any evidence contradicts the meanings of the verses of the Quran and there is no possible way of reconciliation, those narrations are ignored and only the verses of the Quran are adopted.
The Shariah does not give any consideration to doubtful matters or such matters whose mistakes are visible such as the narrations which speak about the shadow of the Prophet (s.a.w.)[6]
Muslims should also consider that believing or disbelieving in the shadow of the Prophet (s.a.w.) is not a matter of Iman nor is it a strong point of Aqeedah which our faith depends on.
Only Allah knows best
Written by Maulana Naieem Mohammad
Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah
Darul Ifta Birmingham