The signs of prophethood

Ibn Khaldun lists the signs of prophethood in the Muqaddima. Al-Bukhari mentions one visible sign, the seal of prophethood. ^{2 3}

• Absence from those present at the moment of revelation, with a breathing like a swoon, an immersion in the meeting with the spiritual angel. The prophet then descends to human perception, either by hearing a sound like a murmur of speech or by an image of a person taking form.
• Character before revelation: keeping away from what is blameworthy, which is the meaning of infallibility (ismah), as though he were naturally disposed to be free of it.
• Calling people to the religion and to worship: prayer, charity, and chastity. By this Khadija and Abu Bakr were convinced, and Heraclius inferred the truth of the Prophet ﷺ when Abu Sufyan answered his questions.
• Nobility of lineage among his people, since he said that God never sent a prophet except in the protection of his people, meaning a clan and a force that shields him from the harm of the unbelievers until he delivers the message of his Lord.
• The occurrence of extraordinary events as evidence of their truthfulness.

²

Among the visible signs is the seal of prophethood between the shoulders of the Prophet, a mark like the button of a partridge's nest. Al-Sa'ib ibn Yazid saw it as a boy when the Prophet performed his ablution and he stood behind his back. ³