The Hour has come near, and the moon has split

This ayah opens with a reference to one of the most remarkable miracles witnessed during the life of the Prophet (peace be upon him).

The splitting of the moon took place five years before the Hijrah, while the Prophet was at Mina, near Makkah. When the Quraysh demanded a sign from him, the Messenger (peace be upon him), by Allah’s permission, pointed at the moon; it split into two parts before their very eyes, then rejoined.

An important question arises: did anyone else in the world witness this event, or was it shown exclusively to the Arabs?

It’s entirely possible that Allah made this miracle visible only to the people of Arabia, as He shows what He wills to whom He wills. This was a specific sign for those who were demanding proof from the Prophet (peace be upon him).

However, historical accounts suggest that this phenomenon may have been witnessed elsewhere. There are reports of a king in India, along the Malabar Coast, who observed this event. When he later encountered the Companions, he embraced Islam because what he had witnessed years earlier was finally explained to him.

This remains an area worthy of further research for those interested in Islamic history.

The ayah begins with “the Hour has approached,” placing the splitting of the moon in the context of the Day of Judgment drawing near.

The pairing of these two events is profound: a cosmic sign in the sky serves as a reminder of the ultimate cosmic event to come.