miracles mentioned in quran
TRANSCRIPT
1
In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful
INTRODUCTION
The following is a review of the chapter : 'Some of the Important
Miracles of the Holy Prophet' , from the Book 'Muhammad the Final
Messenger' by Majid Ali Khan.;
Allah subhanahuwata'ala says in the Quran,
“And, indeed We have sent Messengers before you (O
Muhammad); of some of them We have related to you their
story and of some We have not related to you their story, and
it was not given to any Messenger that he should bring a sign
except by the Leave of Allah. So, when comes the
Commandment of Allah, the matter will be decided with truth,
and the followers of falsehood will then be lost. (Qur'ân
40:78)
We can understand from this verse,that prophets were given signs
by Allah out of his mercy, so that the people might be certain and
reaffirmed in their belief.
Muhammed(saw), the seal of the prophets,the messenger
for humanity till the last day, was given a variety of such miracles,
which included simple miracles like curing the sick to great and
significant ones like splitting the moon, the mir'aj and of
coarse,the eternal miracle of the Quran.
This article deals with a few of these miracles, and is divided into
two sections; the miracles mentioned in the Quran, and the
miracles mentioned in the hadith.In this review, we will critically
look upon this artice, keeping our minds open to any hidden
meaning or significance behind these miracles, and also observe
how the author presents them.
We must keep in mind however that, each of these miracles,
except the miracle of the Holy Quran, were signs shown the
people around the prophet at that time in particular contexts; we
must believe in these miracles, but they should not be the basis of
our belief in Allah and his prophets, but rather we must ponder
over the signs of Allah that are all around us and thus find the
truth which Allah has made clear from falsehood.
Miracles mentioned in Quran
Isra’ Mi’raj
The author of the article had discretely informed us about the miracles that
happened to Prophet Muhammad on which authenticities both comes from the Quran and
Hadith. The hadith had pointed out most of the miracles of the prophet in detail as which
they were present to heard his stories where else , in the Quran miracles of the prophet
were finally authenticated by divinity of Allah’s words ( Qalamu llah ) which seals the
stories in the heart of all ummah that reads the Quran.
One of the most astounding , astonishing and meaningful miracles of Prophet
Muhammad has got to be the miracle of Isra’ Mi’raj. The incident marks the journey of
the prophet as the representative of mankind onto learning the meaning of all things,
subsequently laying the many purposes of mankind on this earth. Prophet Muhammad’s
trip is seen as an Encyclopedic venture of mankind and Allah’s many nature of rulings.
The story tells of Prophet Muhammad being visited by the archangel Gabriel
when he was sleeping in Hijr mosque. He then went through a spiritual purification
process in which Gabriel slit open his chest and cleaned the prophet’s heart with Zam
Zam water. Later, he was introduced to an unearthly animal with similar resemblance of a
mule with elaborate wings. On this animal, Prophet Muhammad took off with the
company of Gabriel to the Mosque of Jerusalem then was the Qiblah at the time.
Allah brought Prophet Muhammad to Masjid al-Aqsa from which most of the
prophets hail. There he found all of the prophets gathered there, and they prayed in
congregation behind him. He then encountered with Gabriel giving him a cup of milk or
wine to choose from which the prophet chose the milk signifying the better of the first
than the latter.
Then there was the second part of the journey, arguably signifying the Mi’raj of
the journey. Mi’raj takes the prophet through the seven heavenly levels until finally
reaching Allah’s Almighty throne ( Al – Arsh ). Within the journey, Prophet Muhammad
encountered with his fellow seniors of the prophets. He started off seeing prophet Adam
whom was introduced as father or mankind. Following that, prophet Muhammad also met
up with prophet Isa, Yusuf, Yahya, Idris, Ibrahim, Musa, Harun among many of the most
profound prophets of Allah. Here, Prophet Muhammad were able to attain the personal
characteristics of the other prophets in detail.
The Prophet saw the Throne (^Arsh), which is the ceiling of Paradise. The Throne
is the largest creation of Allah in size; Allah did not create anything bigger in size than it.
The seven heavens and the earth in comparison to the Kursiyy, are like a ring thrown in a
desert, and the Kursiyy in comparison to the Throne, is like a ring thrown in a desert. The
seven heavens and the earth in comparison to the Throne are like a seed of mustard
compared to the ocean. Allah created the Throne as a sign of His Power and He did not
create the Throne to sit on it.
At first, Allah obligated fifty prayers. When Prophet Muhammad encountered
Musa, Musa told him to make supplication (du^a') to his Lord to ease the obligation of
fifty (50) prayers, because his nation could not handle that. Musa said, "I have experience
with the people of Israel, and I know your nation cannot bear that." So the Prophet asked
his Lord to lessen these prayers for his people. Five prayers were eliminated. Once again,
Musa told the Prophet to ask Allah to lessen the number of prayers. Allah did. Nine times
the Prophet made supplication to Allah to lessen these prayers--until these prayers were
lessened to five Obligatory Prayers. So Prophet Musa was a great benefit to us. Had we
been obligated to pray fifty prayers a day, this would have been a difficult matter for us.
After all these matters took place with the Prophet, he returned to the city of
Makkah. Some scholars said the Prophet's journey took about one-third of the night, i.e.,
his journey from Makkah to Jerusalem, then to the heavens and what is above them, and
then back to Makkah The next day the Prophet told the people what happened to him the
previous night. The blasphemers belied the Prophet and mocked him in disbelief.
Allah is glorifying Himself saying, “ Subhana alladhi asra'” which means “Glory
to Me, the One who brought the Prophet on the Night Journey calling him to My Divine
Presence.” This is beyond the comprehension of the human mind. Allah is not just
reminding us about this event, rather, He is glorifying Himself on account of it. That is
because the Night Journey, moving almost instantaneously from Makka to Masjid al-
Aqsa and the Ascension, traversing in an incredibly short span of time the worldly
domain of this universe and beyond, transcend the laws of physics governing movement.
There is no way for any scientist's mind to comprehend how the Prophet (s) moved across
the globe and was then carried to Allah's Divine Presence. Such a journey is beyond the
scope of imagination. Therefore Allah (swt) glorifies Himself saying, "Yes it happened!
Glory to Me Who can do this! I am beyond these laws and systems. I am the Creator of
all systems."
And now to discuss the significance of the miracle of isra’ mi’raj, and to
understand the very meaning of it. Isra’ and mi’raj signifies 2 events that happened
through the Journey of the prophet. The first being isra’ commemorates Prophets visit to
Baitul Aqsa in Jerusalem from Hijr. He embarked on an unearthly animal on which the
prophet encountered . The contrast between these 'stations' is further demonstrated by the
famous stone at each of these holy sites. In Masjid al-Haraam the Black Stone is a stone
governed by physical constraints, held up in an encasement, having fallen from heaven
and been darkened by the sins of humanity. At Masjid al-Aqsa the holy stone marking
where the Prophet (as) ascended to the heavens is miraculously suspended in the air,
disregarding the physical law of gravity, seeking to leave the earthly pull of gravity to
soar towards the Divine Presence. As he was in Jerusalem, he was greeted by all of the
prophets before him and he led a congregational prayer. This marks the prophet’s
leadership in heading all the prophets sent down by Allah. Prophet Muhammad being the
leader and one who completes the work and mission from Allah.
The author however, did not explain about the prophet’s encounter with
metaphorical incidents such as the meeting with and old lady who represents the aging
world. It is believed he did so to as to tell it’s significance is minor compared to what
awaits the Prophet on the journey to the heavens.
Following the congregational prayer, Prophet was brought into a decision to
choose from a cup of milk and wine after which he chose the milk. Doing so marks why
Islam prohibits alcohol and Gabriel congrats the Prophet for making a wise choice.
Allah then moved him from Masjid al-Aqsa by means of the Miraj, lifting him up
to His Divine Presence. Why did Allah use the words, ‘ laylan - by night'? Why didn't He
say, ‘ naharan - by day'? ‘ Laylan' here illustrates the darkness of this world which
becomes illumined only by the bright moon of the Prophet (s) to illuminate every
darkness.
The message of Prophet Muhammad (s) completed and perfected both the
physical discipline and jurisprudence ( shariah ) of Musa and the spirituality (rawhaniyya
) of ‘Isa. The shariah of Musa relates to the worldly life and the spirituality of ‘Isa relates
to the heavenly life. By passing from the worldly life, represented by the Night Journey,
to heavenly life, represented by the Ascension, the Prophet (s) was carried on these two
wings. No prophet was carried on both except our master Muhammad (s).
Through all the levels, Prophet Muhammad met up with several other prophets.
These events give us a vague resemblance of how the other prophets may appear and
behave and showed the culturally different appearances and attitudes.
In short, the miracle of Isra’ Mi’raj and through its many events had formed the
basis of our Islamic teachings. This is such so on how Prophet Muhammad explains the
concept of reward and punishment that he had come about from difrent experiences .
Then there was also a sense of finality and authenticity of Islam when all the other
prophets had approved and followed the lead of Prophet Muhammad.
Spliting of the Moon
The Moon had split into two distinct parts in front of their very eyes. The two
parts had separated and receded so much apart from each other that to the on-lookers (in
Makkah) one part had appeared on one side of the mountain and the other on the other
side of it. Then, in an instant the two had rejoined. This was a manifest proof of the truth
that the system of the universe was neither eternal nor immortal, it could be disrupted.
This incident indicated that huge stars and planets could split asunder,
disintegrate, collide with each other, and everything that had been described in the Qur'an
on the Resurrection could happen. The Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be
upon him) invited the people's attention to this event only with this object in view and
asked them to mark it and be a witness to it. But the disbelievers described it as a magical
illusion and persisted in their denial. They were reproached in Surah Al-Qamar (The
Moon) for their stubbornness.
This miracle was also witnessed if not just by the people of Arabia but by a
famous king in India. This great distance of observation provide a firm evidence that the
incident really did take place upon Allah’s will to testify the true religion brought by
Prophet Muhammad. In addition to that, the author mentioned that there was already a
prophecy to the people in India of that the coming of the final prophet. This shows a then
global involvement in testifying the truth of Prophet Muhammad through the witness of
splitting of the Moon. Allah had chosen the moon as subject to Allah’s will if compared
to other miracles performed by the other Prophets to show the magnitude of Islam is not
only a message to the people of Arabia but to the whole world who would witness it.
Other miracles were also recorded in Quran subsequently being part of Quran’s
miracle of predicting the future. This one story in particularly tells of the conspiracy of
the Quraish to murder Prophet Muhammad. The auther gave a brief lists of the miracles
mentioned in the Quran, some involving the prophet Muhammad some not. Even so,
prophet Muhammad having to posses this continuous miracle , the Quran was able to
utilize it for his safety and benefit for the ummah even until this day.
The Holy Quran as a miracle.
A section of the article explains why the Holy Quran itself constitutes a
great miracle of the prophet (saw). Now, some might ask,how is the
Quran a miracle of the prophet(saw) when it was revealed by Allah,and
Muhammad (saw) was only a messenger who brought it to
humankind ?In fact, the article starts with the most appropriate verse
from the Quran, where the Quran itself addresses itself as a great
miracle of the prophet(saw).
“And thou( i.e. the Holy Prophet) was not (able) to recite a Book before
this
(Book came ), nor art thou (able) to transcribe it with thy right hand
and in that case, indeed,would the talkers of vanities have doubted.
Nay here are the signs self evident in the hearts of those endowed with
knowledge, and none but the unjust reject our signs. Yet they say: Why
are not signs sent down to him from his Lord?” Say:”The signs are
indeed with Allah, and I am indeed a clear warner.”(29:48-50)
Then, the author moves on to explain this verse. This verse calls on
man to reflect with the simplest of common sense and applies a logic
any layman can understand. It asks the simple question:”How can a
man who lived among yourselves, who was illiterate,all of a sudden,
produce a book like the Holy Quran? What is the speciality of the Holy
Quran? The next part deals with this question.
The author explains,”a Book containing the truths of life,having no rival
to it any language,ancient or modern, for the beauty,force,and
sweetness of its diction,for clearness ,depth ,and profoundness of its
similies,metaphors and other figures of speech,for the immediate
penetrating and lasting effect of its admonitions,for its richness of
ideas,for its unimpeachable style,its unparalleled grace,and a
comprehensive sweep of its subjects,and for the enlightenment and
complete code of life it provides for those who wish to tread the right
path.”
This wonderful statement summarising the Miracle of the 'Holy Quran'
does not need further elaboration, but rather, if one wants a better
understanding,then, he must himself read the Holy Quran, and see for
himself.However the author still moves on to further explain and prove
the indisputable nature of this Miracle. Here again, the author uses the
verses from the Quran itself to prove this Miracle. And the Quran
uniquely provides the proof for itself!
He turns to the standing 'Challenge of the Quran' directed at all
men and jinn to try to produce something similar to it,which is a great
proof for the divine source of the Quran.
“Say: 'If the whole of mankind and jinns were combined together to
produce a like of this Quran, they could not produce the like thereof,
even if they backed up each other with help and support'” (17:88)
“Or do they say ,'He has forged it? 'Bring then a Surah like unto it, and
call (to your aid) anyone you can,besides Allah if you are true in your
claim'” (10:38)
These are a few of the verses he mentions, proclaiming a challenge to
all mankind and jinn to produce even a chapter like it. The author does
not further elaborate about the success of this challenge and the
failure of man to imitate it. This is left for the reader to ponder, and in
fact it is very easy for him to understand if he ponders about it. If he
reflects on the actions of the people of the Quraish, and the people of
Mecca amongst whom the Quran was revealed, he notices that the
hippo crates amongst them fought agaist the message of the Quran
with their wealth and lives. He must understand, that if these people
were able to fight against the Quran orally,they would never have
chosen the sword,which was harder. It was their inability to meet this
challenge that made them choose the sword.
The author then turns to the next great miracle of the
Quran,which is its authenticity or unchangability. He quotes the verse:
“Surely We have revealed the Reminder and will surely be its
guardian.” (15:9)
and similar verse where Allah promises to protect it from any change
or distortion.
Here again,the author does not elaborate further. It is left to the reader
to understand that history testifies to the authenticity of the Quran and
to the fact that not even a word of it has undergone the slightest
change over 1400 years. This indeed is in itself a great miracle.
Criticism and recommendations for “The Holy Quran as a
Miracle”
The article treats the 'Miracle of the Quran' just as section amongst
other miracles of the prophet.Whereas, the Quran is undoubtedly the
greatest miracle of prophet Muhammed(saw). I say this because the
message of Muhammed(saw) unlike other messengers is eternal and
meant for the whole of humankind till the last day and not just to the
people to whom he was sent.
Now,the Holy Quran is the only Miracle that is applicable to us and it is
the 'greatest proof' for people like us,who live centuries after the
prophet because we did not get to witness the other miracles. We can
hold the Miracle of the Quran in our own hands and see for ourselves.
I feel,that this topic must be dealt with more carefully, in a way that its
significance is really conveyed to the reader. I would like to use a verse
from the holy Quran to reaffirm my point.
“ They ask: ‘Why has no sign been given him by his Lord?’
Say: ‘Signs are in the hands of God. My mission is only to give
plain warning.’ Is it not enough for them that We have revealed
to you the Book which is recited to them? Surely in this there
is a blessing and an admonition to true believers.”
(Qur’an, 29:50-51)
Further, the author does not talk about the scientific miracles of the
Quran, which is of great r elevance in today's age. As a whole,the
article expains the miracle very well, with the most appropriate verses
from the Quran. However, I think this topic deserves a more detailed
explanation, with additions from the hadith, which could be more easily
understood and appreciated by the common reader.However, the
effort made deserves our applause and appreciation.
Miracles Mentioned in the Hadith
In the second part of this chapter, the author discusses ‘Some of the Miracles
Mentioned in the Books of Ahadith’. Whilst one is greatly associated to the Qur’an of
being the greatest miracle, Hadiths must not be left out due to the reason that it adds
much certainty on the ability of the Prophet’s miracles, in order to move one’s
immobility towards Islam. In a paradoxical retrospect, there is much admiration for the
author who pointed out that there have been indeed those who strayed away from Islam,
instead of closer, due to the significance and sighting of the Prophet’s miracle. Yet, this
does not in any way disapprove of his miracles, but uncovers a different light of the
world, where not everyone or everything is proven to be black and white. Where humans
are concerned, there is always a play in probability and an answer of “it depends”, that
therefore does not guarantee everyone to the Straight Path.
Indeed, there are many hadiths that aim at uncovering the miracles, but this chapter looks
to focus on the ten mentioned which include:
1. The Opening of the Chest
2. Joining of the Broken Bone Immediately
3. Gushing out Springs of Water from His Fingers
4. Exposition of the Enchantment done upon the Holy Prophet
5. Prophecy about the Death of Rifa‘a bin Darir, one of the Leading Hypocrites
6. Greetings (“Salam”) by Trees and Stones
7. Movement (i.e. walk) of Trees by His Order
8. Information by Roasted Flesh of Goat about the Poison
9. Crying and Weeping by a Dead Stem of Date Tree due to its Love for Him
10. Little Food Enough for Thousands of Persons
In this review, we look not to explain in detail of the miracles mentioned, but rather push
to uncover any hidden gemstones that one might find in this cave of knowledge. Due to
the over-used and tired-out title, readers might venture off into a different realm where
the un-heard of less-heard stories can be told. Whilst this talk of miracles can be deemed
of as repetition and constant playing of a broken record, it is not to be deceived by our
human senses or pride. For students such as ourselves, such a book can use a pardoning
due to lack of images and direct excitement, but when time, honest patience and energy is
taken in consideration, one can truly look into the eyes of the Prophet’s miracles and only
pray that one could have been a part of his time, tribe and even place.
Hadiths differ from the Qur’an, not only for what it signifies, but also by whom signifies
it. The prophet Muhammad’s relations and close companions articulately spoke of him,
wrote about him, and tried to copy him in his beautiful ways and manners through life. So
although one is obviously not able to conjure up a re-make of his miracles, one is still
able to re-play the image of the occurrence, as if one were there, experiencing the very
moment happening. We might have not been there next to the Prophet, but our senses are
very well excited in the past’s spur of the moment. Indeed, history does not repeat itself,
but indefinite patterns of it do, and such can be regarded in this context as our memories
and emotions.
In true words, when one’s eyes fall upon the pages of this chapter, one not only receives
information through the senses, but they are digested through our systems, minds and
hearts. In one sense, we are sadly a nation that is falling apart, but in another, we have
been given the gift of literacy which enables us to absorb words from the Hadiths that
signify great miracles of the prophet Muhammad, and this holds headstrong to this very
day, for the young and old, believers and non-believers, to take heed as he wishes to open
his heart to.
One and all can relate to this section of the chapter. If one were an environmentalist, then
the story of the weeping date tree would shake one’s soul, and would cause even one to
weep in pure delight, out of the now-proven scientific discovery that plants do feel after
all! And, if one were to ever feel hunger stricken onto his or her family, or one self, or
even to witness such pain, then the Hadith of the Prophet being able to feed thousands of
people with such measly amount of food, would cause one to jump in thankfulness and
joy.
The stories of the miracles of the Prophet, explained through and pairing in with the
manner of the Hadith, can innately touch one’s soul due to the great humanistic effect it
has. One can only imagine what the Prophet’s Sahabahs went through with great believe
and thanks to Allah for this show of greatness. For one who holds onto the rope of Allah
is grateful for these stories, because they are not myths, and they are definitely not dead
or dying to the world. –They live on in our minds, in our imaginations, but most
importantly, they flourish and dance courageously in the wind like a vast field of golden
sands, just like the prophet Muhammad and his companions did during the dawn of
Islam.
Conclusion
‘Some of the Important Miracles of the Holy Prophet’ indeed signifies an impact that can
be judged through the eyes of every Muslim. It is honest, interpretative and non-biased.
An overall outlook on the chapter of the book can be that because it does not touch on
personal ideas or ideals of the writer, it tinges on the neutrality of how and why the article
is written.
The author’s manner of writing is meant to educate, rather than inspire, but references
cited from the Qur’an and Hadith do very well in the aspect of stirring or arousing much
love and admiration for the prophet Muhammad and the great message of Islam he
brought to mankind. In addition to that, the author makes it a note to first cite the Qur’an,
then the Hadith, and through out this chapter, it maintains this very flow, which coincides
purely to our Islamic understanding for Muslims, and also caters to non-Muslims who
wish or seek to study and dissect true-life events and stories of the miracles of our
beloved prophet Muhammad.
The chapter’s prose, or writing style is direct and ultimately honest. It contains good and
clear structure, in first addressing the very word of “Mu’jizat” –its root and literal
meaning, and naturally, the division of different categories of supernatural acts, which
include Al-Mu’jizah, Al-Karamat, Ma’unah, and Istidraj. The essence of this chapter is a
definite built on our two Islamic sources, but the author does not cease to cite volume of
works, and so on, on this very topic.
What is to be greatly admired thoroughly of this piece of work, is not merely on the
author’s ability to scratch a word into a sentence and then into chapter, but is of the
stories and parables through the Prophet’s words and actions, that the author has
intricately chosen through much thought and obvious study. The Prophet is indeed the
best teacher and sets a great milestone for us to follow, but from this, we need authors
such as the author of this book to compile, pen, and fundamentally understand the very
core of great works (the Qur’an, Hadith and other sources itself) that are built on great
words (by Allah, the Prophet, his companions, and other scholars).
As a last say, it is with great honour that we are able to review and critique this single
chapter from the book, Muhammad the Final Messenger, and we aim at not simply trying
to fathom the jewels of physical miracles, but seek to recognize the value of the perfect
literacy and wonders of the Qur’an itself, the greatest amongst all miracles. In admiration,
it would be only natural to end this review with a quote from the book by A.M.R.
Muhajir in his book “Muhammad As Depicted In The Holy Quran” (pages 177-178), who
testifies that the Qur’an is a “Book containing the truths of life, having no rival to it in
any language, ancient or modern, for the beauty, force, and sweetness of its diction, for
clearness, depth, and profoundness of its similes, metaphors and other figures of speed,
for the immediate penetrating and lasting effect of its admonitions, for its richness of
ideas, for its unimpeachable style, its unparalleled grace, and a comprehensive sweep of
its subjects, and for the enlightment and complete code of life it provides for those who
wish to tread the right path.”