Al-Muhaddith Ml. Zafar Ahmad Thanwi [ra] has indicated towards the extreme weakness of this narration. (Imdaadul Ahkaam vol.1 pgs.338, 340)
Imam Zurqaani also states that Imaams ibnul Jawzi and ibnul Mubaarak have reported on the authority of Sayyiduna Abdullah ibn Abbaas (Radhiallaahu Anhu) that Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) did not have a shadow. (Sharhu Zurqaani vol.7 pg.200).
However, the authenticity of this narration still remains unclear to us.
On the contrary, Imaam Ahmad has narrated from Sayyidatuna Aaisha [Radhiallaahu anha] that Sayyiduna Zaynab [Radhiallaahu anhu] said (as part of a lengthy Hadith), ‘Until one day I, at the time of midday, I could see the shadow of Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) approaching.’ (Musnad Ahmad vol.6 pg.132; Hadith24883)
This Hadith indicates to the fact that Rasulullah [Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam] did have a shadow.
Allaamah ibnul Qayyim [ra] has mentioned a narration from Sayyiduna Anas ibn Maalik [Radhiallaahu anhu] in which the following words are narrated from Rasulullah [Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam], ‘… And I saw my and your shadows’. (Haadiyul Arwaah pg.50 – see Fataawa Mahmoodiyah vol.1 pg.109)
Ml. Anwar Shah Kashmiri [ra] has stated that, ‘I haven’t come across any (authentic) narration with regard to Rasulullah [sallallaahu alayhi wasallam] not having a shadow. (Malfoozaat-e-Kashmiri pg.248; also see Fataawa Rasheediyyah pg.167)
Some Ulama have chosen to reconcile between these conflicting reports, by stating that it is possible that Rasulullah [Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam] at times had a shadow and at times he did not. Rasulullah [Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam] not having a shadow at times, could also be deduced from the narration that states, ‘Rasulullah [Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam] used to be shaded with a cloud.’ (Bawaadirun-nawaadir, Ml. Ashraf Ali Thanwi pg.369)
Al-Muhaddith Allaamah Zafar Ahmad Thanwi [ra] has stated that it would not be incorrect for one to hold the view that Rasulullah [Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam] did have a shadow. On the other hand, if one holds the opposite view, i.e. that Rasulullah’s shadow was not visible, it could be justified. He further states that this is a very famous view among Ilama as well, which indicates that there would be some proof for it – although we haven’t located it. (Imdaadul Ahkaam vol.1 pg.340)
and Allah Ta’ala Knows Best
