The Shadowless Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa sallam)

Q. Did Rasulullah (sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) cast a shadow? Is this the belief of Ahlus Sunnah and can it be proven through the Sunnah?

A.  Allah's most perfect Apostle  (sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) did not have a shadow.  This is the view of the elites of Ahlus Sunnah Wal Jamah and it is also my personal belief.  It is reported that the Holy Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa aalihi wa sallim) had said: "Where science ends, my Religion begins". 

Here are the proofs from Ahadith and from the writings of the elites of Ahlus Sunnah:

• Hadith 1 : Tirmidhi in his book NAWAA DARUL USOOL narrates from Hadrat Zakwaan Radiyallahu Anhu , a close Companion of the Holy Prophet Sall Allahu alaihi wa Aalihi wa Sallim, the following Hadith: "The shadow of the Holy Prophet Sall Allahu alaihi wa Aalihi wa Sallim could not be seen in the brightness of the sun, nor in moonlight".

• Hadith 2 : Allama Jauzi in his KITABUL WAFA narrates a hadith from Hadrat Abdullah ibn Abbas, the cousin of the Holy Prophet Sall Allahu alaihi wa Aalihi wa Sallim: "Allah's Rasul had no shadow, not while standing in the sun, but the brilliance of his Nur surpassed the rays of the sun; nor while sitting before a burning light, but his luminous Nur excelled the luster of the light".

• Hadith 3 : Imam Nasafi in his TAFSEER MADAARIK narrates from Hadrat Uthman ibn Affan Radiyallahu Anhu, the son-in-law of the Holy Prophet Sall Allahu alaihi wa Aalihi wa Sallim. Hadat Uthman said to the Holy Prophet SallallahuAlaihi Wasallam: "Allah Almighty does not let your shadow fall on the ground, so that no foot of man can fall on it".

• Hadith 4 : Imam Jalaludeen Suyuti in his KHASAAISUL KUBRA narrates from Ibn Saba Radiyallahu Anhu: "This is also a unique feature of the Holy Prophet Sall Allahu alaihi wa Aalihi wa Sallim that his shadow did not touch the ground, because he was Nur, and when he used to walk in the sunshine his shadow could not be seen".

What the scholars said about this subject

Having read the words of those who had lived with the Holy Prophet Sall Allahu alaihi wa Aalihi wa Sallim and had closely watched his every action, we shall now turn to some great scholars of Islam, whose writings are considered most authentic in Islamic affairs. Pay heed to these to dispel any doubts that you may have regarding the subject. All these great scholars firmly believed that the Holy Prophet Sall Allahu alaihi wa Aalihi wa Sallim did not possess a shadow.

Imam Qadhi Ayaaz

1. Imam Qadhi Ayaaz in his ASH-SHIFA states:"The Holy Prophet Sall Allahu alaihi wa Aalihi wa Sallim did not possess a shadow in the brightness of the sun or in the moonlight, because he was Nur (Light)".
 

Imam Ahmad Qastalani

2. Imam Ahmed Qastalani states in AL-MAWAHIBUL LADUNYA: "The Holy Prophet Sall Allahu alaihi wa Aalihi wa Sallim did not possess a shadow in the brightness of the sun or moonlight is proven from the Ahadith of Tirmidhi Sharief of Ibn Zakwaan and Ibn Saba".
 

Sheikh Abdul Haq Muhaddith Dahlawi

3. Shaikh Abdul Haq Muhaddith Dahlawi states in MADARIJIN NUBUWAH: "The Holy Prophet's Sall Allahu alaihi wa Aalihi wa Sallim shadow did not appear in sunshine nor in moonlight".
 

Maulana Jalaluddin Rumi

4. Maulana Jalaluddin Rumi in his MATHNAWI SHARIEF states: "Let alone the Holy Prophet Sall Allahu alaihi wa Aalihi wa Sallim, even if an ordinary servant of the Holy Prophet Sall Allahu alaihi wa Aalihi wa Sallim reaches the stage of inner mortality (BAQA), then like the Prophet Sall Allahu alaihi wa Aalihi wa Sallim, his shadow too disappears".

May Allah Almighty give us the guidance and strength of Imaan to remain steadfast on the Straight Path. Aameen.