Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) then made du‘aa to Allah Ta‘ala and thereafter gestured towards the moon with his blessed finger. The moment he pointed towards the moon, it split into two parts; one part towards Mt. Abu Qubais and the other part towards Mt. Qayqa‘aan.

For some time, people continued to stare in amazement at the split moon. Such was their amazement that they wiped their eyes with the clothing, and whenever they looked back at the moon, they clearly saw that it was in two separate parts. Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) continued urging them saying, “O people! Bear witness! O people! Bear witness!” The moon remained split for a duration equal to the time between ‘asr and maghrib. Thereafter, it returned to its original condition.

The disbelievers of Makkah exclaimed, “O Muhammed (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam)! You have cast a spell of magic over us!” They then said to one another, “Wait for some travellers coming into Makkah from other areas, and ask them whether they saw the moon split, because it is not possible for Muhammed (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) to cast his spell over everybody. If the travellers also testify that they saw the moon split, then you may consider Muhammed (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) to be genuine, and if they say that they have not witnessed anything of this nature, then you should understand that he has cast a spell over you.”

Nevertheless, when they enquired from different travellers, then travellers from every direction testified that they had witnessed the moon splitting into two parts. However, despite these testimonies of the travellers, these obstinate and stubborn disbelievers refused to bring imaan saying, “This is enduring sorcery” In other words, the effect of it will soon fade.

Upon this, the following verses were revealed:

اِقۡتَرَبَتِ السَّاعَۃُ وَ انۡشَقَّ الۡقَمَرُ ﴿۱﴾ وَ اِنۡ یَّرَوۡا اٰیَۃً یُّعۡرِضُوۡا وَ یَقُوۡلُوۡا سِحۡرٌ مُّسۡتَمِرٌّ ﴿۲﴾

The hour (of judgement) has drawn close and the moon has split asunder, and if they (the disbelievers of Makkah) witness any sign, they turn away and say, “Enduring sorcery.” (Surah Qamar v. 1-2)

(Extracted from Seeratul Mustafa 1/236-237)