Letters ( revised ) | THE NINETEENTH LETTER | 154
(111-259)

N i n t h   E x a m p l e : Relating from ‘Amr b. Shu‘ayb,  the grandson of ‘Abdullah b. ‘Amr b. al-‘As, on whom they relied for explanations of Hadiths, the Four Imams narrated – from a sound narration: “Before his prophetic mission,  the Noble Messenger (Upon whom be blessings and peace) once came by camel with his uncle Abu Talib to the place called Dhu’l-Hijaz near ‘Arafat. Abu Talib said he was thirsty. The Messenger  (Upon whom be blessings and peace) dismounted  from the camel and struck the ground with his foot. Water gushed out and Abu Talib drank from it.”[124]

One of the researchers, however, stated that this incident should be included in the category of irhasat,[125] for it occurred before his prophethood. But since ever afterwards the spring of ‘Arafat flowed from the spot, it may be considered a wonder of Muhammad (UWBP).

Similar  to  these  nine  examples,  ninety  different  narrations    if  not  ninet y instances – have reported miracles concerning water. The first seven examples are as sound and definite as ‘consensus in meaning.’ For sure the last two are not supported by  the  narrations  of  numerous  narrators  or  a  strong  chain  of  transmitters,  but supporting and confirming the incident mentioned in the eighth example as narrated by ‘Umar, is another miracle  reported by the authentic books of Hadith,  including Bayhaqi and al-Hakim; it is as follows:

“‘Umar requested of God’s Noble Messenger (UWBP) that he should pray for rain, because  the army was  in need  of water.  The Messenger  (UWBP)  raised  his hands, and at once clouds gathered and rain fell, enough for the army’s needs, then they dispersed.”[126]  It was quite simply as though they were officials charged  with watering the army; they came, poured down sufficient for its needs, then went.

This narration corroborates the eighth example and proves it decisively. So too, the famous learned scholar, Ibn al-Jawzi, who was extremely fastidious in verifying Hadiths  even rejecting as spurious  many authentic  ones,  said  that  this event took place, but at the famous Battle of Badr.[127] He said that it is referred to by the verse, “And He caused rain to descend on you from heaven to clean you therewith.”(8:11) Since that is the case, no doubt can remain concerning its certainty.

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[124] Qadi Iyad, al-Shifa’, i, 290; al-Khafaji, Sharh al-Shifa’, iii, 29; Bayhaqi, Dala’il al-Nubuwwa, ii, 15-20. See also, Bukhari, Istisqa, 3; Musnad, ii, 93.

  [125] For irhasat, see definition on page     (Tr.)

126 al-Khafaji, Sharh al-Shifa’, iii, 128; ‘Ali al-Qari, Sharh al-Shifa’, i, 601; Suyuti, al-Durar al- Manthur, iii, 170.

127 Ibn al-Jawzi, Zad al-Masir, iii, 328.

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