Was Not the Moon Cleft in Two?!
Yes, it was. Indeed, the moon was split during the lifetime of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and this was one of his miracles. The Noble Qur’an has mentioned this miracle, and indicated that it is one of the presages of the Hour. The Qur’an also denounced the polytheists of Makkah who turned away when they saw this miracle, disbelieved it and described it as magic. Allah Almighty says, "The Hour has drawn close, and the moon split [in two]. Whenever they see a miraculous sign, they turn away and say, "The same old sorcery!” They rejected the truth and followed their whims. But for every matter there is a time of settlement" (Qur’an, 54: 1-3).
Elucidating the reasons of the revelation of these verses, the authentic Sunnah confirmed the occurrence of the miracle of the moon split in support of the Prophet (PBUH). Anas bin Malik (May Allah be pleased with him), narrated that the Meccans asked Allah's Messenger (PBUH) to show them a miracle, so he showed them the moon split into two halves, and they saw the mountain of Hira’ between them (Reported by Al-Bukhari and Muslim).
Ibn Mas’ūd (May Allah be pleased with him), said, "During the lifetime of Allah's Messenger (PBUH) the moon was split into two parts: one part remained over the mountain, and the other went beyond. At that point, Allah's Messenger (PBUH) said: Bear witness to this" (Al-Bukhari and Muslim).