Understanding the Danger
One of the deceptive paths that lead to shirk is misunderstanding miracles (mu‘jizāt) and saintly feats (karamāt). When people witness acts beyond human capability performed by certain individuals, they begin to believe these individuals possess divine attributes. This thought eventually evolves, turning revered individuals into deities in people's eyes.
This is how the followers of ʿĪsā عليه السلام (Jesus) ended up attributing divine sonship to him, and similarly today, certain Muslims elevate the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ by associating him with divine attributes.
Reality of Miracles and Karamat
Miracles granted to prophets are exclusive and serve as signs of truth. Similarly, karamāt granted to righteous people are real but are not achievements attained through personal effort like magic or mesmerism. They are purely divine favors granted by Allah, not humanly orchestrated events.
For example, when Prophet Mūsā عليه السلام saw his staff transform into a serpent, he himself became frightened and fled. Only after Allah reassured him did he return. This proves that miracles occur not from the will or power of the prophet, but from Allah’s command and power.
Role of Divine Will
Victories such as Badr happened not due to military strength, but because Allah sent divine help. When the Prophet ﷺ threw a handful of dust at the enemy, it miraculously reached every enemy’s eye, an act impossible by human power alone. Allah clarified that it wasn’t the Prophet ﷺ who threw, but rather Allah who caused it to strike.
Refuting False Beliefs
A misconception has spread that prophets and saints possess direct control over the universe. This leads people to attribute the management of creation to them. In Christianity, this belief is widespread due to the way Jesus's miracles are portrayed, suggesting he personally had control over all things.
The Qur’an clearly states that all signs and miracles are solely from Allah. No messenger can bring a sign except by Allah’s permission. Even when Prophet ʿĪsā عليه السلام healed the blind or resurrected the dead, it was by the command and permission of Allah, not by his own will.
Grave Misguidance
Some Muslims, influenced by such erroneous interpretations, think that miracles and karāmāt are skills or arts, controllable at will. They further believe that saints can perform these feats even after death. This belief has led to extreme views, including indecent claims about prophets in their graves.
They assert that these individuals can independently remove harm or bring benefit through their “spiritual control,” labeling it as karāmah, even though such control belongs solely to Allah. The reality is that the creation is entirely dependent on cause and effect, while Allah operates above and beyond all such constraints.
True Purpose of Prophethood
Prophets were not sent to provide worldly gains or serve as intermediaries for material needs. Their mission was to guide people towards knowing and worshipping Allah correctly. Hence, relying on prophets or saints for worldly benefits contradicts the very foundation of Islamic belief.
Final Clarification
An individual may possess greater faculties or understanding, but this does not grant them divine power. All benefits and harms lie only with Allah. Historical examples abound where prophets and righteous people suffered at the hands of oppressors, some even being martyred—yet they could not remove these harms by themselves.
The Qur’an consistently invalidates the belief that anyone besides Allah can possess or bestow sustenance, benefit, or intercession. Any form of such reliance is an open door to shirk.
May Allah protect us from such deviations. آمین.
One of the deceptive paths that lead to shirk is misunderstanding miracles (mu‘jizāt) and saintly feats (karamāt). When people witness acts beyond human capability performed by certain individuals, they begin to believe these individuals possess divine attributes. This thought eventually evolves, turning revered individuals into deities in people's eyes.
This is how the followers of ʿĪsā عليه السلام (Jesus) ended up attributing divine sonship to him, and similarly today, certain Muslims elevate the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ by associating him with divine attributes.
Reality of Miracles and Karamat
Miracles granted to prophets are exclusive and serve as signs of truth. Similarly, karamāt granted to righteous people are real but are not achievements attained through personal effort like magic or mesmerism. They are purely divine favors granted by Allah, not humanly orchestrated events.
For example, when Prophet Mūsā عليه السلام saw his staff transform into a serpent, he himself became frightened and fled. Only after Allah reassured him did he return. This proves that miracles occur not from the will or power of the prophet, but from Allah’s command and power.
Role of Divine Will
Victories such as Badr happened not due to military strength, but because Allah sent divine help. When the Prophet ﷺ threw a handful of dust at the enemy, it miraculously reached every enemy’s eye, an act impossible by human power alone. Allah clarified that it wasn’t the Prophet ﷺ who threw, but rather Allah who caused it to strike.
Refuting False Beliefs
A misconception has spread that prophets and saints possess direct control over the universe. This leads people to attribute the management of creation to them. In Christianity, this belief is widespread due to the way Jesus's miracles are portrayed, suggesting he personally had control over all things.
The Qur’an clearly states that all signs and miracles are solely from Allah. No messenger can bring a sign except by Allah’s permission. Even when Prophet ʿĪsā عليه السلام healed the blind or resurrected the dead, it was by the command and permission of Allah, not by his own will.
Grave Misguidance
Some Muslims, influenced by such erroneous interpretations, think that miracles and karāmāt are skills or arts, controllable at will. They further believe that saints can perform these feats even after death. This belief has led to extreme views, including indecent claims about prophets in their graves.
They assert that these individuals can independently remove harm or bring benefit through their “spiritual control,” labeling it as karāmah, even though such control belongs solely to Allah. The reality is that the creation is entirely dependent on cause and effect, while Allah operates above and beyond all such constraints.
True Purpose of Prophethood
Prophets were not sent to provide worldly gains or serve as intermediaries for material needs. Their mission was to guide people towards knowing and worshipping Allah correctly. Hence, relying on prophets or saints for worldly benefits contradicts the very foundation of Islamic belief.
Final Clarification
An individual may possess greater faculties or understanding, but this does not grant them divine power. All benefits and harms lie only with Allah. Historical examples abound where prophets and righteous people suffered at the hands of oppressors, some even being martyred—yet they could not remove these harms by themselves.
The Qur’an consistently invalidates the belief that anyone besides Allah can possess or bestow sustenance, benefit, or intercession. Any form of such reliance is an open door to shirk.
May Allah protect us from such deviations. آمین.
