Miracles of Prophet Muhammad

Allah Almighty said:

یٰۤاَیُّهَا النَّاسُ قَدْ جَآءَكُمْ بُرْهَانٌ مِّنْ رَّبِّكُمْ وَ اَنْزَلْنَاۤ اِلَیْكُمْ نُوْرًا مُّبِیْنًا(۱۷۴)

O people! Indeed there has come to you clear proof (Prophet Muhammad) from Allah, and We have sent down to you a shining light (the Qur’an).

[Kanz-ul-Iman (translation of Quran)] (Part 6, Surah Al-Nisa, Ayah 174)

According to an opinion, the Arabic word ‘بُرْھَان, [Burhan]’ mentioned in the above Ayah means the Holy Quran. However, most commentators of the Holy Quran have declared that the word ‘بُرْھَان’ here means Beloved and Blessed Prophet Muhammad Mustafa صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم. Sayyiduna Sufyan Sawri, Imam Ibn Jareer Tabari, Imam Razi and Allamah Qurtubi stated: The word ‘بُرْھَان’ here means Holy Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم. Similarly, Imam Abu Haiyan رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْه has stated: اَلْجُمْھُوْرُ عَلٰی اَنَّ الْبُرْھَانَ ھُوَ مُحَمَّدٌ صَلَّی اللہُ عَلَیْہِ وَاٰلِہٖ وَسَلَّم The stance adopted by most Islamic scholars is that the word ‘بُرْھَان’ mentioned in the above Ayah refers to Beloved and Blessed Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم. (Al-Bahr-ul-Muheet, Surah An-Nisa, Taht-al-Ayah 174, vol. 3, pp. 570)

Allah Almighty has bestowed Mu’jizah [miracle] on every Prophet; and our Beloved Prophet صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم has been blessed with the most number of Mu’jizaat. In fact, he is an embodiment of Mu’jizaat. The word ‘معجزہ’ literally means something that makes anyone powerless. Mu’jizah is to demonstrate something in a supernatural way and contrary to apparent means. In other words, a Mu’jizah occurs without any means that exist in our world and such type of action cannot take place as a matter of routine. For example, someone gestures towards the ground and water-spring emerges out of it.

There are five types of actions whose occurrence is contrary to apparent means and supernatural.

1  Irhaas: If an action, which is impossible in usual circumstances, occurs through any Prophet عَلَيْهِ السَّلَام before the declaration of Prophet-hood, it is called ‘Irhaas’; such as the saying of Salaam by a stone.

2  Mu’jizah: After the declaration of Prophet-hood, if such an action occurs through a Prophet which is supernatural and does not involve any apparent means and the like of which can never be produced by those who deny Prophethood, this is called ‘Mu’jizah’; for example, causing water-springs to flow from fingers.

3  Karamah: If an action that is supernatural occurs through a Wali, this is called ‘Karamah’; such as helping anyone from a faraway place.

4  Ma’oonat: If an action which is supernatural occurs through common Muslims, this is called ‘Ma’oonat’; for example, appearance of food from Ghayb [i.e. the unseen] at the time of hunger.

5   Istidraaj: If reckless transgressors or disbelievers demonstrate such an action which is in their favour, this is called ‘Istidraaj’; such as flying in the air. (Bahar-e-Shari’at, vol. 1, pp. 58, Wal-Nabras, pp. 272)

Irhaas and Mu’jizah are both related to a Prophet. However, the difference between them is that Irhaas takes place before the declaration of Prophet-hood, whereas Mu’jizah occurs after the declaration of Prophethood. For instance, before the Holy Prophet صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم made the declaration of Prophet-hood, clouds provided him with shade and his blessed chest was expanded (i.e. cut open by angels). These are the examples of Irhaas. As for the expansion of his blessed chest after the declaration of Prophet-hood, this is Mu’jizah. In the Holy Quran, the words بَیِّنَہ,  بُرْھَان have been mentioned, expressing the meaning of Mu’jizah. The wisdom of Mu’jizah is that Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ favours and affirms that the Mu’jizah-performing great individual is a true Prophet. For example, if a person claims to be a representative of the king and says, ‘The king will do what I say.’ Then, at the suggestion of that person, if the king really forgives anyone’s punishment or gives treasure to anyone else, this will be a proof of him being a representative of the king. 

All Prophets have been blessed with Mu’jizaat, many of which have been mentioned in the Holy Quran and Blessed Hadees. According to the explanations on the part of the Imams of our religion, all Prophets have been blessed with Mu’jizaat by Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ through our Beloved and Blessed Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم. Imam Boosayri has stated:

وَکُلُّ آیٍ اَتَی الرُّسُلُ الْکِرَامُ بِہَا                               فَاِنَّمَا اتَّصَلَتْ مِنْ نُوْرِہٖ بِہِمِ

فَاِنَّہٗ شَمْسُ فَضْلٍ ہُمْ کَوَاکِبُہَا                                     یُظْہِرْنَ اَنْوَارَہَا لِلنَّاسِ فِی الظُّلَمِ

1   All the Mu’jizaat that respected Prophets have brought have been bestowed upon them by Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ through the Noor of our Prophet.

2   Our Beloved Prophet صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم is a bright sun of Divine benevolence, whereas all other Prophets are the shining stars of this sun. The light of these stars shine on people in darkness.

A’la Hadrat رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْه stated:

لَا وَرَبِّ الْعَرْش  Jis ko jo mila un say mila

Bat-ti hay konayn mayn na’mat Rasoolullah ki

This has also been made clear in Surah Aal-e-Imran Ayah 81, i.e. the Ayah of Meesaq-e-Ambiya [the covenant of Prophets]. And this fact has also been mentioned by the Holy Prophet صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم himself,
‘اِنَّمَا اَنَا قَاسِمٌ وَاللَّهُ يُعْطِی Translation: I distribute and Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ bestows.’ (Bukhari, vol. 1, pp. 43, Hadees 71) There is no limit to what Allah Almighty bestows and nor to what the Holy Prophet صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم distributes and nor to the number of those blessed with this bestowment and distribution. 

Various distinctions between Mu’jizaat of the Holy Prophet ﷺ and those of other Prophets

First distinction: The Holy Prophet صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم has been blessed with the Mu’jizah which is greater than the Mu’jizah of every Prophet. For example, ponder over the distinction between the Ascension of Sayyiduna Ibraheem عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام and that of Beloved صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم. Having been made to stand on the earth, Sayyiduna Ibraheem عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام was shown the signs of the skies and the earth. The Holy Quran says:

وَ كَذٰلِكَ نُرِیْۤ اِبْرٰهِیْمَ مَلَكُوْتَ السَّمٰوٰتِ وَ الْاَرْضِ

And likewise We show Ibrahim the entire kingdom of the heavens and the earth

[Kanz-ul-Iman (translation of Quran)] (Part 7, Surah Al-An’aam, Ayah 75)

On the other hand, the Beloved Prophet of Allah, Muhammad صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم was awakened from sleep, the most superior angel was sent to him in order to take him above the skies and then he was blessed with the privilege of the Ascension. The Holy Quran says:

سُبْحٰنَ الَّذِیْۤ اَسْرٰى بِعَبْدِهٖ لَیْلًا مِّنَ الْمَسْجِدِ الْحَرَامِ اِلَى الْمَسْجِدِ الْاَقْصَا

Glory be to Him Who took His bondsman by the night from the Sacred Mosque (Ka’bah) to Al- Aqsa Mosque

[Kanz-ul-Iman (translation of Quran)] (Part 15, Surah Bani Israel, Ayah 1)

Surah Najm mentions the Holy Prophet صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم going above the skies.

Likewise, Sayyiduna Musa عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام was blessed with the Mu’jizah of Kalaam [i.e. conversing with Allah Almighty]:

وَ كَلَّمَ اللّٰهُ مُوْسٰى تَكْلِیْمًاۚ(۱۶۴)

And in reality, Allah spoke to Musa.

[Kanz-ul-Iman (translation of Quran)] (Part 6, Surah An-Nisa, Ayah 164)

but when Sayyiduna Musa عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام requested beholding Allah Almighty, this request was not granted:

 رَبِّ اَرِنِیْۤ اَنْظُرْ اِلَیْكَؕ-قَالَ لَنْ تَرٰىنِیْ

‘O My Lord! Show me Your Exalted Self, so that I may see You.’ He said, ‘You will never be able to see Me

[Kanz-ul-Iman (translation of Quran)] (Part 9, Surah Al-A’raf, Ayah 143)

But Beloved Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم was called by Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ Himself and was blessed with beholding Him without any request from him:

ثُمَّ دَنَا فَتَدَلّٰىۙ(۸) فَكَانَ قَابَ قَوْسَیْنِ اَوْ اَدْنٰىۚ(۹) فَاَوْحٰۤى اِلٰى عَبْدِهٖ مَاۤ اَوْحٰىؕ(۱۰)

Then That Manifestation came closer, and then He became increasingly closer (towards His beloved). So the distance between That Manifestation and this beloved was only of two arms’ length, rather, even less. Now He revealed to His bondsman, whatever He revealed.

[Kanz-ul-Iman (translation of Quran)] (Part 27, Al-Najm, Ayah 8 – 10)

And, Allah Almighty also said:

مَا زَاغَ الْبَصَرُ وَ مَا طَغٰى(۱۷)

The eyes (of the Holy Prophet) did not turn aside, nor exceed the limit.

[Kanz-ul-Iman (translation of Quran)] (Part 27, Al-Najm, Ayah 17)

Second distinction: The Greatest and Noblest Prophet Muhammad Mustafa صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم has been blessed with the most number of Mu’jizaat, as is obvious from a study into the books of Ahadees and virtues such as Dalaail-un-Nubuwwah (دلائلُ النبوَّۃ), Khasaais-e-Kubra (خصائصِ کبریٰ) and Hujjat-ullahi ‘Alal Aalameen (حُجَّۃُ اللّٰهِ عَلَی الْعَالَمِین). The Karamaat of Awliya are also the Mu’jizaat of their Prophets as Awliya are blessed with this great status by the blessing of following their Prophets. The Karamaat of Awliya from the Ummah of Muhammad صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم are too many to be counted and all of them are actually the Mu’jizaat of the Holy Prophet صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم.

Third distinction: There are many such Mu’jizaat of the Holy Prophet صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم that each of which is treasure of many Mu’jizaat such as the Holy Quran and the Ascension. These are two Mu’jizaat but countless Mu’jizaat are contained in these two.

Fourth distinction: Every Prophet was blessed with a Mu’jizah which was similar to such a practice that was widespread in his era. For example, during the era of Sayyiduna Musa عَلَيْهِ السَّلَام, feats performed by magicians rose to their peak; during the era of Sayyiduna Sulayman عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام, Jinns and magic were quite common; and during the era of Sayyiduna Isa عَلَيْهِ السَّلَام, medical science was on its peak. Therefore, Allah Almighty blessed these Prophets with the Mu’jizaat that would make people powerless of  performing such types of things though these practices were prevalent among them. Since it is Wajib to obey the Holy Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم till the Judgement Day, he has been blessed with all types of Mu’jizaat including eloquence, medicines, satellite, etc. Since Arabs were very eloquent and articulate, the Holy Prophet صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم was blessed with eloquent and articulate Holy Quran which is such a great Mu’jizah that it is impossible to make even a small Surah like it. Moreover, the Holy Prophet صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم was called a magician, so he split the moon into two pieces, which was impossible for magicians to do. Medical science was to advance, so the Prophet of mankind, the Peace our heart and mind, the most Generous and Kind صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم healed the sick by touching them with his blessed hand and by means of his blessed saliva. The era of astronautics^[1] was to come, so he was blessed the Mu’jizah of the Ascension. Satellite was to be introduced, so the entire universe was put in front of him. The Beloved and Blessed Prophet صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم said, ‘Without doubt, Allah Almighty has elevated the world for me, so I see towards it and towards whatever is going to take place in it till the Judgement Day, as I see this hand of mine.’ (Mu’jam Kabeer, vol. 13, pp. 318, Hadees 14112) He further said, ‘So everything has become quite obvious for me and I have known.’ (Tirmizi, vol. 5, pp. 221, Hadees 3235)

حسنِ یُوسُف دمِ عیسیٰ یدِبیضاداری        آنچه خوباں ہمه دارند تو تنہا داری

Translation: O Prophet of Allah! You have the Mu’jizah of the beauty of Sayyiduna Yusuf, the power of Sayyiduna Isa عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام to heal the sick and the bright hand of Sayyiduna Musa عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام. All those virtues which were separately bestowed upon all other Prophets have been bestowed upon you.