The Splitting of the Moon and the Isrā and Mi'rāj: Do Miracles Contradict the Laws of Nature?

Introduction

It is no wonder that materialistic minds are incapable of comprehending the miracles of the prophets! One who confines himself within the limits of matter and its laws cannot see beyond them, just as one who locks himself in a dark room then claims that the entire universe is darkness!

How strange it is for these people to object to the splitting of the moon and the event of the Isrā and Mi'rāj on the grounds that they contradict the laws of nature! As if the One who created the universe with its laws were incapable of breaking them, or as if the One who set the sun and the moon in their orbits could not change their course whenever He willed!

This objection arises from a limited understanding and a narrow horizon. How can one argue with natural laws against the Creator of nature? And how can one make the creation a constraint on the Creator? And how can one think that the system which God established for a purpose prevents Him—Glorified and Exalted—from acting within it for another wisdom?

Come, let us contemplate this issue so that we may realize that miracles do not contradict the laws of nature; rather, they are evidence of the perfection of the One who established these laws and a proof of the truth of the One whom He chose to carry His message.Let us discover together how miracles do not contradict the laws of nature, but are a witness to the greatness of the One who created nature and its laws, and proof of the truth of the One chosen to bear His message.

Miracles and Laws of Nature: A Look at Their Harmony and Significance

Some may think that the miracles brought by the prophets contradict the laws of nature, and that belief in them conflicts with belief in a well-ordered cosmic system. This notion arises from a limited understanding of the true relationship between miracles and laws of nature.

In truth, miracles do not nullify or negate the existence of natural laws; rather, they affirm a deeper and more profound reality: that behind these laws there is a Creator, capable of acting within them whenever and however He wills. Just as the regularity of the universe and the adherence of its laws is evidence of a wise Creator who organized and perfected it, so too is the occurrence of miracles at specific moments evidence that this Creator is able to act upon His laws whenever He wishes. In the following pages, we will show how this harmony is manifested through these aspects:

1. The Reality of Law of Nature

When we contemplate the universe around us, we find a precise system that governs everything: the sun rises every morning at its appointed time, the moon revolves in its orbit with a known calculation, rivers flow in their channels, winds blow according to specific patterns, and gravity operates with a constant force. This well-ordered system is what we call "the laws of nature."

But what is the reality of these laws? They are nothing more than a human description of what we observe as the regularity in the universe. Scientists observe recurring phenomena, and then they describe this recurrence in the form of equations and laws. For example, the law of gravity is merely a description of what we see when objects fall toward the earth. The laws of motion are nothing more than descriptions of what we observe when objects move under certain conditions.

A great mistake that many fall into is to think that these laws operate on their own or that they are independent of their Creator. They delude themselves into thinking that the universe is a gigantic machine that rotates by itself according to its own inherent laws! This is a false illusion, as these laws are nothing but manifestations of Allah’s will and power. Allah said: “Indeed, Allah holds the heavens and the earth so that they do not disappear, and if they should disappear, no one can hold them after Him.” (Fāṭir: 41)

The logical question that must be asked is: Who established these laws in the first place? Who gave gravity its defined strength? Who charted the precise orbits of the planets? Who preserves and maintains this well-ordered system? It is Allah, the Almighty Creator, who said of the sun and the moon:

Each is in an orbit, swimming.

Al-Anbiyā: 33

Therefore, the laws of nature are not constraints upon the Creator; rather, they are divine decrees enacted by Allah out of wisdom. Just as He set them in place by His power, He is able to modify or suspend them whenever He wishes and for whichever wisdom He desires. This correct understanding of the true nature of natural laws is the key to understanding miracles and their relationship with these laws.

1. The Harmony Between Miracles and Laws of Nature

There is no conflict between belief in fixed laws of nature and the occurrence of miracles. To say that miracles contradict natural laws is like saying that a doctor contradicts the laws of health when he intervenes surgically in a patient’s body! Just as the doctor—an expert in the laws of the body—intervenes in these laws for a specific wisdom and benefit, so too does Allah—the Creator of these laws—intervene in them for a wisdom He desires.

The truth is that miracles do not annul or invalidate the cosmic system; rather, they are limited exceptions in their time and place. Just as the suspension of traffic for a presidential motorcade does not cancel the traffic laws, but is a temporary exception for a specific purpose, the sun rises every day from the east, yet this does not prevent Allah from halting its movement—as happened with some prophets—for a specific wisdom at a particular time.

These limited exceptions do not affect the stability of the cosmic system; rather, they confirm an important truth: that these laws are not deities to be worshiped, nor constraints on the Creator—Glorified and Exalted—but are signs of Allah, executed as He wills. He is, indeed, capable of making fire become cool and peaceful upon Abraham, of parting the sea for Moses, and of enabling His Prophet to reach Al-Masjid Al-Aqsa in a single night.

And if we contemplate our daily lives, we find many examples of the possibility of intervening in natural laws without nullifying them: an airplane temporarily defies gravity without nullifying it, a submarine contradicts the law of buoyancy without abolishing it, and an elevator lifts us high despite the law of gravity. If humans—with their limited knowledge—are capable of controlling some natural laws, then the Creator of these laws is surely capable of acting within them however He wills.Thus, miracles do not contradict the cosmic system; they are evidence of the perfection of the One who established this system. Just as an author’s ability to change some words in his book does not contradict his role as an organized author, but rather confirms his ownership and authority over what he has written.

1. The Logic of Science and Miracles: Between Experimental Science and Historical Evidence

Many people fall into a dangerous methodological confusion when they demand that experimental science prove or disprove miracles. Experimental science has its domain and method: it studies recurring phenomena in nature and formulates laws that describe this recurrence. Miracles, however, are unique historical events that do not recur and are not subject to laboratory experimentation.

To clarify: can we ask physics to prove that the Battle of Badr occurred in the second year of the Hijra? Or can we ask chemistry to prove that Alexander the Great conquered Persia? Certainly not! These are historical events that are proven by historical evidence, such as documents, narratives, and relics.

Similarly, miracles: when we speak of the Isrā and Mi'rāj or the splitting of the moon, we are speaking of historical events confirmed by authentic historical evidence. This does not mean that we accept every claim of the supernatural! Muslims are not naive to believe every myth or hoax. Rather, we have a precise methodology in dealing with these issues:

First We believe that miracles are possible in principle, because the One who created the laws of nature is capable of breaking them.

Second

: We require correct historical evidence for the occurrence of each specific miracle.Third: We distinguish between what is a genuine miracle of the prophets, what is mere trickery and deceit, and what is of satanic origin.

By this precise scientific methodology, Muslims have accepted the miracles of their Prophet Muhammad () such as the Isrā and Mi'rāj and the splitting of the moon. These miracles are logically possible, and they are attested by correct historical evidence from the Qur'an and the Sunnah transmitted in abundance by the Companions, and even the opponents—despite their intense enmity—could not refute them.

Therefore, the correct scientific stance is not to deny all that is supernatural on the basis of experimental science, nor to accept every claimed miracle foolishly, but to follow the scientific method of verification and confirmation: whatever evidence is presented for its authenticity, we accept it; whatever evidence is lacking, we remain skeptical.

1. Miracles as Evidence of God’s Existence:

One who contemplates the significance of miracles in proving the existence of the Creator finds that they are among the strongest and clearest proofs. The occurrence of a supernatural event—such as the splitting of the moon or a staff turning into a living creature—indicates the existence of a Creator who created this universe and is capable of acting within its laws and altering its normal order.

What is astonishing is that the evidence provided by miracles for the existence of Allah is stronger than that of the cosmic system itself! If the regularity of the sunrise every day is evidence of a wise Creator, then the temporary cessation of the sun’s rising at a particular moment—as happened with some prophets—is a far greater and clearer proof. Why? Because people may overlook the significance of the usual order they have become accustomed to, but they cannot ignore the significance of an unusual event due to its rarity and deviation from the norm.

This is analogous to a man running an automated factory: the regular operation of the machines indicates the existence of a wise manager. But the ability of that manager to stop the machines at any moment he wishes is a clearer proof of his authority and ownership. Similarly, miracles prove that behind this universe there is a capable God—not only managing its system, but also acting within it as He wills.Hence, we understand why miracles were a cause for belief for many people: because they provide tangible, direct evidence of the existence of a great Creator who created this universe. When a person sees a staff turn into a snake, or watches the sea split, or sees the moon split into two, he inevitably realizes that behind this universe there is a great power that controls its laws and acts within them as He wishes.Therefore, miracles are not merely strange events that evoke wonder; they are conclusive proofs of the existence of Allah, His perfection, and His sole right to be worshiped. The more a miracle deviates from the ordinary, the stronger and clearer its evidence of Allah’s greatness becomes, because it confirms that His power, Glory be to Him, transcends all that humans can imagine or estimate.

And if this absolute power is proven to belong only to Allah, then we know that He alone is deserving of worship. How can one worship someone who has no power to benefit or harm himself? And how can deities be adopted without One in whose hand is the dominion over everything? The One capable of splitting the moon, stopping the sun, reviving the dead, and turning a staff into a living creature is the only One deserving of exclusive worship, obedience, and submission. This is the meaning of "There is no god but Allah": to cast aside from our hearts every deity other than Him, the One with absolute power and complete sovereignty over this universe.

Thus, miracles are not only evidence of the truth of the prophets but are also proof of Allah’s sole right to be worshiped and an argument against the worship of anything else.

1. Miracles and the Proof of Prophethood

The significance of miracles in confirming the truth of prophethood is among the clearest and strongest indications. When a man claims that he is a messenger from Allah and then Allah supports him with supernatural miracles, this becomes a conclusive proof of his truthfulness. The reason is clear: such miracles can come only from Allah, and Allah—the All-Wise, the All-Knowing—cannot support a liar who claims prophethood.Consider the power of this proof: when Prophet Muhammad () came and declared "I am the Messenger of Allah," and then the moon split as a sign from him, water burst forth from between his fingers, and he foretold matters of the unseen which then occurred as he had announced, this serves as divine confirmation of his message. It is just like a person claiming to be a messenger of a king, and then the king supports him with his unique seal that belongs to none other.

The strength of this proof increases when we note that these miracles:

• Correspond exactly with what is expected of a prophetAre beyond the ability of creation to produceAre coupled with a call to monotheism and virtuous ethicsEmanate from a person known for truthfulness and integrityAnd are witnessed by a large number of peopleThus, miracles confirm both declarations of faith:They confirm "There is no true god but Allah" by demonstrating the greatness and absolute power of the CreatorAnd they confirm "Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah" by providing divine support for his messageIt is astonishing that some who deny miracles on the grounds that they contradict the laws of nature believe in even stranger matters! They accept the theory of the Big Bang and the emergence of the universe from nothing, believe in the existence of black holes that swallow matter and light, and even accept the existence of multiple universes... yet they deny that the Creator of this universe is capable of breaking its laws!The sound intellectual stance is to say: He who is capable of creating the universe out of nothing is also capable of performing miracles within it as He wills. And he who created the moon in the first place is capable of splitting it whenever He wishes. And He who made fire hot is capable of making it cool and peaceful for Abraham. Miracles are not more astonishing than the original creation; rather, the original creation is more astonishing and testifies to the power.Thus, miracles serve as a double proof: they confirm the existence, greatness, and sole right of Allah to be worshiped, and they confirm the truth of His messengers and prophets. They lead both the mind and the heart to complete faith in the two testimonies: There is no true god but Allah, and Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah.

Conclusion

Thus, it becomes clear to every discerning soul that the objection to miracles on the grounds that they contradict the laws of nature is one of the weakest and most unfounded objections. How can one argue by using a law against the One who established that law? And how can one use the creature as evidence of the Creator’s incapacity?In truth, miracles are a double proof: on one hand, they confirm Allah’s absolute power and His complete authority over this universe, and thus His sole right to be worshiped, and on the other hand, they affirm the truth of His messengers and prophets whom He supported with miracles. In every miracle there are two testimonies: the testimony that there is no god but Allah, and the testimony that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah.Let our hearts be reassured that He who is capable of creating the heavens and the earth is also capable of splitting the moon and granting the Isra to His Prophet, and that He who perfected this cosmic system is capable of acting within it as He wills. These miracles—which have been proven with conclusive evidence—are but glimpses of Allah’s power, proofs of His greatness, and signs of the truth of His messengers.