Mu’jiza and Karaamat

Q. What is mu’jiza?

A. On Allah’s orders, the prophets performed extraordinary deeds that are impossible for ordinary people. This was to show that the one performing it was sent by Allah. Such a deed is called mu’jiza or miracle.

Q. What miracles did the prophets show?

A. Prophets showed many miracles by Allah’s command. Some are:

• Hadrat Moosa (عليه السلام): His stick turned into a python and swallowed the magicians’ snakes. His hand shone with bright light. The River Nile split for him and drowned Fir’awn’s army.
• Hadrat ‘Eesa (عليه السلام): Restored the dead to life by Allah’s will, healed the blind and lepers, and made clay birds alive.
• Prophet Muhammad ﷺ: The Holy Qur’an is his greatest mu’jiza. No one can match even one verse of it. His Mi’raaj (Ascension) and Shaqqul-Qamar (Splitting of the Moon) were also miracles. He foretold future events that came true, and his prayers blessed little food to feed hundreds.

Q. What is Mi’raaj?

A. One night, by Allah’s order, the Holy Prophet ﷺ travelled from Makkah to Jerusalem and then to the seven heavens and beyond. He saw Paradise and Hell and returned the same night. This is called Israa and Mi’raaj (Ascension).

Q. What is Shaqqul-Qamar?

A. When the disbelievers of Makkah asked for a miracle, the Prophet ﷺ pointed to the moon and it split into two. Everyone saw it clearly, then the two parts rejoined. This is called Shaqqul-Qamar.

Q. What is karaamat?

A. Sometimes Allah grants pious and devoted people the ability to do unusual things, showing their honor. Ordinary people cannot do these. Such deeds are called karaamat. Only the pious Awliyaa can perform them.

Q. What is the difference between karaamat and mu’jiza?

A. A miracle shown by a prophet is called mu’jiza. When a pious and devoted person does an unusual deed, it is called karaamat. But if a disbeliever or sinner does such a thing, it is called istidraaj.

Q. Is it necessary that a waliy must perform some karaamat?

A. No, it is not necessary. A waliy may never perform a karaamat in his entire life.

Q. Faqeers who go against the Sharee’ah sometimes do unusual things that others cannot—what is that called?

A. If someone goes against the Sharee’ah and performs an unusual act, it is not karaamat but istidraaj or magic. To think such a person is a waliy is wrong and deceptive.