The Remarkable Miracle of Prophet Muhammad (sawa)

The Messenger of Allah (sawa) was once approached by a group of skeptics who demanded a sign to prove his Prophethood. With defiance in their hearts, they asked, "Ask this tree to move towards us, even with its roots, and stop before you." The Prophet (sawa) looked at them and, with a calm and steady voice, responded, "Verily, Allah has power over everything. If Allah does it for you, will you then believe and testify to the truth?" They eagerly agreed, but their insincerity was evident.

The Prophet (sawa) then warned them, saying, "I shall show you whatever you want, but I know that you will not bend towards virtue. There are among you those who will be cast into the pit of disbelief, and others who will form factions against me." Despite their arrogance, the Prophet (sawa) called upon the tree, saying, "O tree! If you do believe in Allah, the Day of Judgment, and know that I am the Prophet of Allah, come up with your roots and stand before me with the permission of Allah."

At once, and by the will of Allah, the tree uprooted itself and moved toward the Prophet (sawa) with a sound like the flapping wings of birds. It stopped before him, with some of its branches brushing against his shoulders. The onlookers were left stunned by this spectacle.

Another demand from the arrogant disbelievers:

"Now, order half of it to come to you, and let the other half remain where it is," they demanded, seeking to challenge the miracle. The Prophet (sawa), in his divine authority, commanded the tree to obey. Half of the tree advanced toward him with an even greater humming sound, almost as if it were about to touch him. But the scoffing crowd, now filled with disbelief, insisted, "Ask this half to return to its other half, and let it return to its original form."

With a simple command, the Prophet (sawa) caused the tree to return to its previous position, leaving the crowd in stunned silence. Imam Ali (a.s.), standing by the Prophet (sawa), was the first to acknowledge the miracle. "O Prophet of Allah," he said, "I am the first to believe in you and to testify that the tree did as commanded by Allah, in confirmation of your Prophethood." But the crowd, their pride bruised, dismissed the miracle, calling it sorcery. "Rather, a sorcerer, a liar, you are!" they shouted. "This is wonderful sorcery, and only a youth like this can stand witness to your affairs."

Once again, the Messenger of Allah (sawa) demonstrated that no matter how great the challenge or the disbelief, the truth of his Prophethood could never be denied. The tree, a simple yet powerful testimony, stood as a sign to all who witnessed it of the divine power that accompanied the Prophet Muhammad (sawa). Yet, for many, this sign fell on deaf ears, and their hearts remained sealed in pride.

(Khutba al-Qasi’a, Nahj al-Balagha, Imam Ali (a.s.))