(The hour drew nigh and the moon was rent in twain) [54:1].
Abu Hakim ‘Aqil ibn Muhammad al-Jurjani informed us (through verbal authorisation)> Abu’l-Faraj al-Qadi> Muhammad ibn Jarir> al-Husayn ibn Abi Yahya al-Maqdisi> Yahya ibn Hammad> Abu ‘Awanah> al-Mughirah> Abu’l-Duha> Masruq> ‘Abd Allah who said: “The moon was split at the time of the Messenger of Allah, Allah bless him and give him peace, so the Quraysh said: ‘This is an act of sorcery from the son of Abu Kabshah; he has cast a spell on you. Ask, therefore, the travellers whether they saw the moon split’. They asked some travellers and they confirmed it. Allah, exalted is He, then revealed (The hour drew nigh and the moon was rent in twain. And if they behold a portent they turn away and say: Prolonged illusion) [54:1-2]”.
Asbab Al-Nuzul by Al-Wahidi , trans. Mokrane Guezzou