Is there any authentic narration that proves that the Prophet (ﷺ) did not have a shadow?

Rasulullah (ﷺ) was only a human being, as mentioned in the Qur’an in the last two ayahs of Surah Kahf. Therefore, because he was only human, he did have a shadow. If he was something else as was alleged, then he would not have had a shadow. But it is confirmed that he was only human. However after mentioning that he was human, Allah mentions that he was not just anyone like us in the sense that we are all alike. He got revelation from Allah and was appointed to be our teacher for it.

All humans are subject to some natural laws. Since humans have substance, they all form shadows, and Rasulullah (ﷺ) was no exception.

Allaah says:

“Say (O Muhammad): I am only a man like you. It has been revealed to me that your Ilaah (God) is One Ilaah (God ___ i.e. Allaah)”[1]

The state of the Prophet (ﷺ) in his humanity is the same as that of all the Prophets and Messengers. Allaah says:

“And We did not create them (the Messengers, with) bodies that ate not food, nor were they immortals”[2]

Allaah condemned those who wondered at the humanity of the Messenger (ﷺ), as He says:

“And they say: Why does this Messenger (Muhammad) eat food, and walk about in the markets (as we)…?”[3]

It is not permissible to overstep the mark with regard to what the Qur’an states about the message and humanity of the Prophet (ﷺ). For example, it is not permissible to describe him as being noor (light) or as casting no shadow, or to say that he was created from light. Rather this is a kind of exaggeration which the Prophet (ﷺ) forbade when he said: “Do not exaggerate about me as was exaggerated about ‘Eesa (Jesus) ibn Maryam. Say: the slave of Allaah and His Messenger.”[4]

Moreover it is proven that the angels are the ones who were created from light, not any of the sons of Adam. The Prophet (ﷺ) said: “The angels were created from light, and Iblees was created from smokeless fire, and Adam (peace be upon him) was created from what has been described to you.” [5]

Shaykh al-Albaani (may Allaah have mercy on him) said in al-Silsilah al-Saheehah (458):

“This indicates that the well known hadeeth (report) that is in circulation among people – “The first thing that Allaah created the light of your Prophet, O Jaabir” – is false, and so are other similar ahaadeeth (narrations) which say that the Prophet (ﷺ) was created from light. This hadeeth clearly indicates that the angels are the only ones who are created from light, not Adam and his sons, so pay heed and do not be negligent.”

There are some authentic narrations that indicate that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) did possess a shadow.

Sayyida A’isha (Allah be pleased with her) narrates that once while the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) was on a journey, the camel of his wife Sayyida Safiyya (Allah be pleased with her) fell ill. However, his other wife Sayyida Zaynab (Allah be pleased with her) had an extra camel. The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said to Sayyida Zaynab: “The camel of Safiyya has become ill, can you lend her your extra camel?” She replied: “should I give that Jew?” (Sayyida Safiyyah was originally a Jew). So, (upon hearing this, the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) became upset and) deserted her for two or three months and he would not come to her…. She says: “Until one day, at midday, I could see the shadow of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) approaching…..” [6]

Sayyidduna Anas ibn Malik (Allah be pleased with him) narrates that, one night the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) led us in prayer, and whilst in prayer he stretched out his hand and then pulled it back. We said: “O Messenger of Allah! We saw you doing something in prayer that we have not seen you do before.” The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: “Indeed, Paradise was presented before me, and I saw in it, fruits that were low and near. I intended to take one but was told to holdback, thus I held back. Then Hell was presented before me until I saw my and your shadow in it, thus I gestured to you to move back.” [7]

The hadith which speaks of no shadow are weak. Had this been true it would've been in sihah sitta. Had this been true, the so called belief of sufi's - Prophet is (ﷺ) noor/light would be valid. Light does not have a shadow. So he was neither light/noor/nur nor was he shadow less.

Had he not had a shadow, this would've been considered a miracle to kuffar to believe in his Prophet hood, but it is never mentioned even in history of Quraysh and Ansars.

The minds would not acknowledge anything if the evident day was to require proof!

In other words, it is absurd for the people of innovation to demand proof for something as painfully obvious as the light of day! After the Qur'an has clearly stated that he (ﷺ) was a human being, why would we need further proofs to affirm each and every vital human characteristic for him?!

So it is those that make the claim who need to provide evidence, not the other way around! That is why the Prophet (ﷺ) said:

"If people were granted whatever they laid claim to, some would claim the lives and properties of others, but the burden of proof lies on the claimant..."[8]

The case of these people is similar to those who demand to know where the Prophet explicitly forbade such-and-such invented practice in particular! After his general prohibition of innovations, it is the person who maintains a particular religious belief or practice upon whom is the burden of proof, and not those who deny it.

And Allah knows best.

Sources:

http://islamqa.com/en/ref/75395/noor

http://alkhilafah.net/shadow.html

References:

[1][Surah al-Kahf, 18:110

[2] Surah al-Anbiya’, 21:8

[3] Surah al-Furqaan, 25:8

[4] Al-Bukhaari: 6830

[5] Muslim: 2996

[6] Musnad Ahmad, 6/132

[7] Mustadrak al-Hakim, 4/456 & authenticated by Imam al-Dhahabi

[8] Reported by al-Baihaqee (10/252), and graded authentic by Ibn-us-Salaah, an-Nawawee, Ibn Hajar and others.