What are some examples of prophecies delivered by Prophet Muḥammad (PBUH) that came to pass exactly as he predicted?

Some of the greatest and most compelling testimonies to the Prophethood of Muḥammad (PBUH) are the numerous occasions on which he accurately foretold future events. Undoubtedly, only one to whom Allāh had granted access to the realm of the unseen could repeatedly predict the future with such precision. I will describe several of these predictions—drawn from Qurʾānic verses and authentic Prophetic traditions—and show how each of them came to pass exactly as he (PBUH) had foretold:

1. Allāh promised Prophet Muḥammad (PBUH) that He would bring him back to Makkah victoriously. He said: {Most certainly, the One Who has ordained the Qurʾān for you will ˹ultimately˺ bring you back home ˹to Makkah˺} (Qurʾān 28:85). This verse was revealed during the Prophet (PBUH)’s migration from Makkah to al-Madīnah. The word maʿād in the original Arabic—rendered as “back home ˹to Makkah˺”—means the place to which one ultimately has to return. Indeed, a few years after the revelation of this verse, Allāh granted the Prophet (PBUH) complete authority over Makkah and the whole of Arabia.

2. Allāh made the dream that the Prophet (PBUH) had told his Companions a reality. He (PBUH) saw in his dream that he and his Companions were entering the Sanctified House of Allāh in safety from their enemies, with some of them having shaved their heads and others having trimmed their hair, indicating the completion of their pilgrimage rites. However, instead of allowing this dream to come true that same year—when they had set out to perform ʿumrah (6 A.H.)— Allāh promised His Prophet (PBUH) and the believers a victory in the near future. Indeed, the divine promise was fulfilled in the following year (7 A.H.), along with the signing of the Treaty of al-Ḥudaybiyyah and the conquest of Khaybar that followed. Allāh says: {Indeed, Allāh will fulfill His Messenger’s vision in all truth: Allāh willing, you will surely enter the Sacred Mosque, in security—˹some with˺ heads shaved and ˹others with˺ hair shortened—without fear. He knew what you did not know, so He first granted you the triumph at hand} (Qurʾān 48:27).

3. When Allāh revealed to His Prophet (PBUH) that idolaters would no longer be permitted to enter the Sacred Mosque for ḥajj or ʿumrah after that year (9 A.H.), the people feared that their trade would suffer and that the income they used to earn from idolaters would disappear. Consequently, Allāh revealed the following verse, promising to enrich them from other sources: {O believers! Indeed, the polytheists are ˹spiritually˺ impure, so they should not approach the Sacred Mosque after this year. If you fear poverty, Allāh will enrich you out of His bounty, if He wills} (Qurʾān 9:28). Allāh compensated the Muslims for the losses they incurred by severing ties with the idolaters through the jizyah collected from the People of the Book: {Fight those who do not believe in Allāh and the Last Day, nor comply with what Allāh and His Messenger have forbidden, nor embrace the religion of truth from among those who were given the Scripture, until they pay the tax, willingly submitting, fully humbled} (Qurʾān 9:29). Jizyah is a tax paid by non-Muslim residents of an Islamic state in return for the protection and security granted to them. In other words, jizyah is the price paid by non-Muslims for the freedom to follow their own religion while living under the jurisdiction and protection of the Islamic state.

4. When Prophet Muḥammad (PBUH) made his first public call to Islam, his own uncle, Abū Lahab, scoffed at and opposed him. In the Prophet (PBUH)’s defense, Allāh immediately revealed: {May the hands of Abū Lahab perish, and he ˹himself˺ perish! (1) Neither his wealth nor ˹worldly˺ gains will benefit him. (2) He will burn in a flaming Fire (3)} (Qurʾān 111:1–3). Abū Lahab lived for ten years after the revelation of this chapter, yet he never embraced Islam. It is remarkable that, despite hearing these verses recited repeatedly, his pride prevented him from taking this golden opportunity to discredit the Qurʾān. Had he merely professed Islam insincerely, it would have cast serious doubt on the truth of this revelation—but, of course, Allāh, Who revealed this chapter, knew that Abū Lahab would never do so.

5. Allāh informed the Prophet (PBUH) that al-Walīd ibn al-Muġīrah, the father of Khālid ibn al-Walīd, would die as an infidel and be burned in Saqar (Hell) because he claimed that the Qurʾān was mere sorcery, conveyed by the Prophet (PBUH) from others rather than being the Word of Allāh. Our Lord says: {Soon I will burn him in Saqar (Hell)} (Qurʾān 74:26). Al-Walīd ibn al-Muġīrah was deeply moved by the Qurʾān, and it seemed as if his heart softened when the Prophet (PBUH) recited it for him; yet, unlike his son Khālid, he did not embrace Islam.

Moreover, the Qurʾān foretold that al-Walīd ibn al-Muġīrah would not have other children, despite his desire for more—and indeed, it came to pass as revealed. Allāh says: {And leave to me ˹O Prophet˺ the one I created all by Myself, and granted him abundant wealth, and children always by his side, and made life very easy for him. Yet he is hungry for more. But no! ˹For˺ he has been truly stubborn with Our revelations} (Qurʾān 74:11–16). Truly, the prophecy regarding al-Walīd ibn al-Muġīrah was fulfilled exactly as the Qurʾān had foretold.

6. Arabia, where the Qurʾān was being revealed, was isolated by vast deserts and largely untouched by the power struggles of the world’s empires at the time. Yet the Qurʾān boldly foretold extraordinary events that would unfold between Persia and Rome (Byzantium) within a few short years. Allāh says: {The Romans have been defeated in a nearby land. (2) Yet following their defeat, they will triumph within three to nine years (3)} (Qurʾān 30:2–3). Between 613 and 619 C.E., the Romans suffered devastating defeats at the hands of the Persian Empire, losing Antioch, Damascus, Armenia, Jerusalem, Chalcedon, and finally Egypt.When the Qurʾānic prediction of a Roman victory over Persia was made, it appeared entirely impossible and had no basis in visible reality. No one could have foreseen such a reversal, since everyone saw Byzantium as being on its deathbed, as the famous historian Edward Gibbon observed.¹Consequently, the opponents of the Prophet (PBUH) ridiculed this seemingly impossible prophecy. Yet, within six to eight years, Heraclius led the Byzantine army in a decisive campaign, like a dagger striking deep into the heart of the Persian Empire, fulfilling the remarkable Qurʾānic prediction.² Immediately after delivering this prophecy, Allāh said: {The ˹whole˺ matter rests with Allāh before and after ˹victory˺. And on that day the believers will rejoice (4)} (Qurʾān 30:4). One reason for this rejoicing was that the unfolding of this miraculous prophecy would confirm the Prophethood of Muhammad (PBUH) and reinforce the Muslims’ belief in it. Another reason is that the Muslims would also be celebrating their own triumph over the Makkan enemies in the Battle of Badr, which took place in 624 A.D.³ It is fitting that Allāh concluded this chapter of the Qurʾān (ar-Rūm) with the reassurance: {So be patient, for the promise of Allāh certainly is true. And do not be disturbed by those who have no sure faith} (Qurʾān 30:60).

7. Allāh asked the Prophet (PBUH) to address the Jews—who regarded themselves as the chosen people of Allāh and cherished the false notion that He had a special relationship with them—challenging them to prove their claim. He said that if the abode of the Hereafter with Allāh were truly reserved exclusively for them and not for the rest of mankind, then they should wish for death, if they were sincere in their assertion. However, Allāh, Who knows the hearts of the transgressors, informed the Prophet (PBUH) that they would never wish for death because they were fully aware of the consequences of what they had sent forth for the Hereafter (i.e., the evil deeds they had committed). Allāh says: {Say, O Prophet, “O Jews! If you claim to be Allāh’s chosen ˹people˺ out of all humanity, then wish for death, if what you say is true.” But they will never wish for that because of what their hands have done. And Allāh has ˹perfect˺ knowledge of the wrongdoers} (Qurʾān 62:6–7). This may seem a simple and easy challenge, yet the Jews refused to wish for death, despite their eagerness to humiliate and belie the Prophet (PBUH). Most remarkably, the Prophet (PBUH) did not claim the challenge as his own; he conveyed it with certainty as a command from Allāh. Truly, only a Prophet could make such a statement. It is indeed striking that the Jews did not accept the challenge, for had they done so, they would have discredited the Qurʾān.

8. The Prophet (PBUH) foretold that Umayyah ibn Khalaf would be killed, and this prophecy was fulfilled. The incident is reported in Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī.⁴

9. The Prophet (PBUH) predicted that Umm Ḥarām bint Malḥān would die in a naval battle. This prophecy was fulfilled and is reported in Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim.⁵ Umm Ḥarām heard the Messenger of Allāh (PBUH) say: “The first army from my nation to ride the sea has guaranteed themselves [Paradise].” She asked, “O Messenger of Allāh, will I be among them?” He replied, “You will be among them.” Later, he said, “The first army from my nation to march in battle to the City of Caesar (Constantinople) will be forgiven.” She asked again, “Will I be among them, O Messenger of Allāh?” He said, “No.” Indeed, during the reign of Muʿāwiyah, Umm Ḥarām accompanied her husband in the first Muslim naval fleet and died after falling from her riding animal in enemy territory. Her tomb is known to be in Larnaca, Cyprus. This Prophetic tradition contains multiple prophecies by the Prophet (PBUH), including that his nation would expand its conquests until the Muslim army rode the sea, that Umm Ḥarām would live to participate in that first naval expedition, and that she would not survive to witness the second expedition against Constantinople. All these prophecies came to pass exactly as foretold, serving as clear signs of the Prophethood of Muḥammad (PBUH).

10. The Prophet (PBUH) predicted that Allāh would reconcile two large factions of Muslims through al-Ḥasan ibn ʿAlī [may Allāh be pleased with him], and the Prophetic tradition concerning this prophecy is reported in Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī.⁶ It is narrated that Prophet Muḥammad (PBUH) brought his grandson, al-Ḥasan, out one day and ascended with him to the pulpit. Then he (PBUH) said, “This son of mine is a chief, and perhaps Allāh will use him to reconcile between two disputing factions of Muslims.” Indeed, al-Ḥasan singlehandedly mended a long and tragic split between the Muslims of al-Kūfah and those of ash-Shām when he became caliph by abdicating his caliphate in favor of Muʿāwiyah ibn abī Sufyān. In doing so, he unified two great factions of believers and allowed the progress of Islam to regain its momentum for decades. The promise of the Truthful (PBUH) was fulfilled in the year known as ʿĀm al-Jamāʿah (the Year of Unity). Imagine if al-Ḥasan ibn ʿAlī [may Allāh be pleased with him] had died as a child. This prophecy would not have been fulfilled, and such an outcome would have served as evidence against the truth of Muḥammad’s Prophethood.

11. The Prophet (PBUH) predicted that ʿAmmār ibn Yāsir [may Allāh be pleased with him] would be killed by the transgressing group. This prophecy was fulfilled and is reported in Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī.⁷ It is narrated that as the Muslims were building the mosque in al-Madīnah, ʿAmmār ibn Yāsir would carry two bricks at a time while others carried one. When the Prophet (PBUH) saw ʿAmmār, he began removing the dust from him with his hands and said, “Woe to ʿAmmār! He will be killed by the transgressing party; he will be inviting them to Paradise while they will be inviting him to the Fire.” To this, ʿUthmān replied, “We seek refuge with Allāh from the trials.” When the Battle of Ṣiffīn took place, three decades after this prophecy was delivered, ʿAmmār was killed by the army of ash-Shām, who had transgressed against the Muslim caliph ʿAlī ibn abī Talib while seeking to avenge the murdered caliph ʿUthmān ibn ʿAffān. Interestingly, the army of ash-Shām did not claim that this Prophetic tradition had been fabricated, but rather argued that those who brought ʿAmmār to fight, despite his advanced age, were responsible for his death and thus constituted the transgressing party. Thus, there was no question regarding the authenticity of the prophecy—they merely interpreted it differently.

12. The Prophet (PBUH) predicted that ʿUmar, ʿUthmān, ʿAlī, Ṭalḥah, and az-Zubayr would be killed, and this came to pass exactly as he foretold. It is narrated from Abū Hurayrah that the Messenger of Allāh (PBUH) was upon Ḥirāʾ along with Abū Bakr, ʿUmar, ʿUthmān, ʿAlī, Ṭalḥah, and az-Zubayr, when the rock moved. The Messenger of Allāh (PBUH) said: “Be calm, for upon you there is none but a Prophet, a ṣiddīq (testifier of truth), or a martyr.”⁸ Indeed, both ʿUmar and ʿUthmān attained martyrdom through assassination during their respective caliphates, while Ṭalḥah and az-Zubayr were killed during the Battle of the Camel.

13. The Prophet (PBUH) knew about Ḥaṭīb ibn abī Balṭaʿah’s secret letter. This incident is reported in Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, and the Companions found the letter exactly where the Prophet (PBUH) had said it would be.⁹

14. The Prophet (PBUH) foretold the deaths of the three leaders in the Battle of Muʾtah, and this prophecy is reported in Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī.¹⁰ The Muslims faced the Byzantines near the village of Muʾtah, east of the Jordan River in the Karak Governorate. During the battle, the three Muslim leaders fell one after the other as they assumed command of the army: first Zayd ibn Ḥārithah, then Jaʿfar ibn abī Ṭālib, and finally ʿAbd Allāh ibn Rawāḥah.

15. The Prophet (PBUH) foretold the death of Khosrow. He (PBUH) sent his Companion ʿAbd Allāh ibn Ḥuḏāfah with a letter to Khosrow. When Khosrow read it, he tore it to pieces, saying, “How dare he write this sort of letter to me when he is my slave?” Khosrow then wrote to Bāḏān, the governor of Yemen, a Persian province, ordering him to send two strong soldiers to arrest the Prophet (PBUH) and bring him to Persia. Bāḏān immediately sent one of his assistants and another soldier with a warrant requiring the Prophet (PBUH) to surrender himself and go with them to Khosrow. However, Bāḏān instructed his assistant to first verify the truth about the Prophet (PBUH). The two envoys arrived in al-Madīnah to meet the Prophet (PBUH). Bāḏān’s assistant said: “Khosrow, the king of kings, has written to Bāḏān, the governor of Yemen, commanding him to send us to take you to him. If you comply, Bāḏān will intercede with the king of kings on your behalf, sparing you great trouble. If you refuse, you know how powerful he is—he could destroy you, your people, and your lands.” The Prophet (PBUH) asked them to wait until the following day for a meeting. Meanwhile, he was informed through the Angel Gabriel that Allāh had caused Khosrow to be killed by his own son, Shirweih. The Prophet (PBUH) was informed of the exact date and hour of the night when Khosrow was killed. When he called the Persian envoys the next day, he informed them that their king had been killed. They replied, “Do you realize what you are saying? We were ordered to arrest you for something far less significant than this. Should we still write this down and inform Governor Bāḏān of what you have just said?” The Prophet (PBUH) replied: “Yes. And tell him on my behalf that my religion and my kingdom will replace that of Khosrow and will sweep all before it. Tell him also that if he accepts Islam, I will grant him what he currently governs and make him a ruler over it.” The envoys returned to Yemen and reported the Prophet (PBUH)’s words to Bāḏān. He said: “This is not the manner of speech of an ordinary man. I believe this man is a Prophet as he claims. If Khosrow has indeed been killed, then he is truly a Messenger. If not, we will decide what to do with him.” Soon after, Bāḏān received confirmation from Shirweih that he had killed his father after he had adopted despotic measures against the Persian nobility. Shirweih ordered Bāḏān to ask his commanders to pledge allegiance to him as the new emperor and instructed them not to disturb the Prophet (PBUH) until further orders. Realizing the truth of Prophet Muḥammad’s (PBUH) message, Bāḏān declared to his advisors his intention to embrace Islam, and they all followed him in doing so.¹¹

16. The Prophet (PBUH) informed his Companions of the death of King an-Najāshī and offered the funeral prayer in absentia for him in al-Madīnah. Abū Hurayrah reported: “The Messenger of Allāh (PBUH) announced to us the death of an-Najāshī, the king of Abyssinia, on the very day he died, and he said: ‘Seek forgiveness for your brother.’”¹²

Prophet Muḥammad (PBUH) delivered hundreds of prophecies, but for the sake of brevity we have confined ourselves to this selection. He (PBUH) also accurately foretold many events that occurred after his death. As previously noted, these prophecies have been transmitted through the most authentic chains of narration. Any fair-minded person who reflects upon the sheer number of these prophecies, and considers that no one could have predicted such events at the time the Prophet (PBUH) predicted them, cannot help but be profoundly impressed by them. Indeed, the prophecies of the Prophet (PBUH) continue to be fulfilled to this very day. In short, the prophecies of a true Prophet are fulfilled by Allāh, whereas those of a claimant to Prophethood never come to pass. Hence, in light of their number and precision, the Prophet (PBUH)’s prophecies must be recognized for what they truly are: irrefutable proofs of his Prophethood.