Can a False Claimant of Prophethood Be Asked for a Miracle?
Source: Fatāwā Amunpūrī by Shaykh Ghulām Muṣṭafā Ẓahīr Amunpūrī
❖ Question
Can a person who falsely claims prophethood be asked to show a miracle?
❖ Answer
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ is the final Prophet and Messenger. After him, no prophet or messenger will ever come. If someone claims prophethood, his mere claim itself is sufficient proof of his falsehood. He should not be asked for a miracle to prove his truthfulness, since the claim itself invalidates him. However, if a demand is made for evidence in order to expose his lies and disgrace him, then it may be done.
❖ Scholarly Opinions
◈ The Ḥanafī scholars wrote:
((لو ادعى رجل النبوة فطلب رجل منه المعجزة قال بعضهم يكفر، وقال بعضهم: إن كان غرضه إظهار عجزه وافتضاحه لا يكفر))
“If a man claims prophethood and another person asks him for a miracle, then according to some, the latter becomes a disbeliever. Others said: if his intention is only to expose the false claimant’s incapacity and disgrace, then he does not become a disbeliever.”
— Khalāṣat al-Fatāwā 4/386; Lisān al-Ḥukkām p. 415; al-Baḥr al-Rāʾiq 5/130; Fatāwā Fayḍ Kirmānī 3/294; Fatāwā ʿĀlamgīrī 2/263
Conclusion
- The claim of prophethood itself is proof of falsehood.
- Requesting a miracle to verify such a claim is not permissible.
- If done with the intention of exposing the liar, it does not constitute disbelief.
