The Fifth Way
This is the way of the extraordinary states and experiences of God’s Messenger, upon him be peace and blessings, and his miracles. The books of his biography and history are full of such occurrences. Renowned scholars have included them in their books and explained them.57 Therefore, in order to avoid re-teaching what is already known, I will not go into detail about them here.
AN INDICATION
Not every one of these miracles has been narrated through reliable channels, but since there are many examples and varieties narrated through one, or more than one, reliable channel, all of them can be regarded as authentic.
One kind of such extraordinary experiences is seen in the events observed before and during the birth of the Messenger, upon him be peace and blessings, and before his declaration of Prophethood. It is as if that era had been blessed and favored with extraordinariness due to the noble Prophet, upon him be peace and blessings, and his advent was felt beforehand, and news of it was given through some extraordinary events.
Another kind is the correct information the Messenger gave about certain past events, and his numerous predictions concerning the near and distant future. It is as if his liberated spirit had escaped the restrictions of time and space, flying beyond the limits of the past and the future, seeing all time and space and giving us information about what had already happened and what will happen.
Another kind is the extraordinary wonders he worked in times of need, like a small amount of food being enough to satisfy many people, a miraculous increase in water, much like the above-mentioned increase in food, healing the sick and wounded with his breath, making some faces peerlessly beautiful and bright with a touch of his hand, and so on. There are hundreds of examples of this kind.
Another kind is the flowing of water from his blessed fingers. The abundant flowing of water—the basic component of life—from the fingers of his blessed hand, which was a source of generosity, brings to mind the effulgent flow from his tongue of the water of guidance, which brings life to spirits.
Another kind is trees, rocks, and animals speaking to him. It is as if the reviving quality of the guidance he brought had an effect on all things, animate or inanimate, and made them speak.
Another is the splitting of the moon by a gesture of his index finger. It is as if by splitting into two halves, the moon, which is in effect the heart of the sky, desired to have a connection with the Messenger’s blessed heart, and split its own heart in ardent response to the gesture of his blessed finger.
A REMINDER
The splitting of the moon has been related through reliable channels of transmission and is mentioned in a Qur’anic verse as The moon has split (54: 1). Those who did not believe in the Qur’an were not able to deny this Qur’anic declaration, and except for a few insignificant, unaccepted comments, it has not been interpreted in any way that suggests denials of this miracle were made.
A FALSE SUPPOSITION AND A REMINDER
The splitting of the moon took place instantly at the time of sleep on a cloudy night, and at a time when the sky could not be observed as easily as today. It was shown to those who challenged the Prophet’s Prophethood in Mecca as a miracle, and therefore was not meant for other people. Also, as is known, the moon does not rise at the same time throughout the world. So, although there might be some who witnessed it in the neighboring parts of the world, it was primarily seen by those in whose presence this miracle was worked. Moreover, the Qur’an mentions it, and this has not been challenged.
A CONCLUSION
O brothers and sisters who are studying this book of mine! Please study the five ways discussed above in connection with the Prophethood of the noble Prophet, upon him be peace and blessings, with an awakened mind, a broad view, and balanced insight. Consider them as if they were a circular wall from which one could observe that illustrious person’s Prophethood, or view them as if they were soldiers encircling the sovereign, and dismiss any doubt that may arise in your mind.
In conclusion, in answer to the question asked by some Japanese people, “What is the clear proof for the existence of the One to Whom you call us?”, I say: Here is Prophet Muhammad, upon him be peace and blessings, as a clear proof!
AN INDICATION, GUIDANCE, AND A REMINDER
The science of wisdom sent a questioner and interrogator to the government of creation and came across the advance troops of humankind, heading for the future, and asked them, “O children of humanity! Where are you coming from? By whose command are you coming? What is your business here? What is your destination?” As the leader, guide, and spokesman of humankind, Prophet Muhammad, upon him be peace and blessings, gave the following answers to these questions:
Dear questioner! We are all the communities of existence and have been sent from the royal office of the Eternal Sovereign by His command as obedient officials. The One Who has made us wear this richly embroidered dress of existence and equipped us with these capacities as the capital of happiness is the Eternal Ruler, Who is the Necessarily Existent Being, and has all Attributes of perfection. We, the communities of humankind, are here in order to be able to earn the capital of eternal happiness. We will depart from this world at a time and place unknown to us, and advance to the bodily Resurrection which is the realm of immortality.
O wisdom! Convey this to all without confusion exactly as you have been told!
Said Nursi
57 Bediüzzaman Said Nursi discussed the miracles of Prophet Muhammad, upon him be peace and blessings, and mentioned about three hundred of them in “The 19th Letter” of The Letters. See, The Letters (trans.), The Light, New Jersey, 2007, pp. 117–236. (Trans.)