What is the Ruling on the Karāmāt (Miracles) of the Awliyāʾ?
Source: Fatāwā Amun Pūrī by Shaykh Ghulam Mustafa Zaheer Amun Pūrī
The Question
What is the ruling on the karāmāt (miracles) of the righteous friends of Allah (awliyāʾ)?
The Answer
The karāmāt of the awliyāʾ are true and affirmed. Their reality is established from the Qur’an, Sunnah, and authentic reports.
However, these miraculous occurrences:
- Are not within the control of the awliyāʾ themselves.
- Cannot be used as a general proof or evidence in matters of religion.
Evidence from Hadith
Sayyidunā Anas ibn Mālik رضي الله عنه narrated that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
“Indeed, among the servants of Allah are such people that if they were to swear an oath upon Allah, He would fulfill it.”
(Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī: 2703; Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 1675)
Important Clarification
The so-called “miracles” that appear at the hands of people presented as saints by the polytheists and disbelievers are not karāmāt but rather istidrāj (deception and gradual enticement towards misguidance).
For example, the Dajjāl will also display extraordinary feats, but these will not be true karāmāt — they will be a trial and deception.
Conclusion
- Karāmāt al-awliyāʾ are real and affirmed.
- They are from Allah alone, not under the control of the walī.
- False claims and extraordinary feats shown by misguided individuals (like magicians, sorcerers, or the Dajjāl) are not karāmāt but istidrāj.
