REVERCION DE LAS COMPLICACIONES

Miracles are abnormal matters or events occurring from a Prophet when challenged by opponents of his mission alike of which the opponents will be unable to produce. It is called Mu‘jizah in the Islamic theology.

Mu‘jizah belongs to the category of possible qualities. The inimitability of the Qur’ān and stories of miracles of Prophets are proofs of possibility of miracles. It is a manifest of power of God to bring things about in an extra-ordinary manner and out of natural rule or through a special means which may be beyond our comprehension.

But its impact will occur from the hands of a Prophet.

The proof of verity of divine message by Mu‘jizah is incontrovertible in the opinion of the majority of theologians whether such Mu‘jizahs occurred during or before the time of the Prophets. Men who were with the Prophets witnessed them with certainty. So also are reports about them, generations after generations.

Miracles of Prophet Muhammad: Allah (SWT) supported Prophet Muhammad (Ş) with several miracles. Report of some, like the Qur’ān, reached us in succession. There is unanimity about others the details of which differs among groups and individuals, such as reports of pebbles uttering glory of God in his hands, stones and trees that greeted him and water that flew from his glorious fingers.

Whoever denies the inimitability and miraculous nature of the Qur’ān and reports of miracles in the holy book is regarded a kāfir against whom deterrent measures may be taken. On the other hands denial of other extra-ordinary occurrences will only make a person intransigent.

Meanwhile, Qur’ān is the greatest of all the miracles. It is the living miracle. Its inimitability remains a challenge that will never be faulted. Sharī‘ah rules and rational sciences were derived from it. It contains reports of past peoples and nations. It is divinely protected from interpolation and alteration. It challenged the eloquent poets and orators and they failed to produce a kind of it. They thus resorted to taking of arms and shedding of blood. It thus became evidence of the Prophet’s mission and the ultimate miracle.

SELF-ASSESSMENT EXERCISE

Give an Islamic stand on the concept of miracle.

4.0 CONCLUSION

The articles of belief in Islam are based on three distinctions, viz:

wājib (the necessary) jāiz (the possible) and mustaħīl (the impossible).

All schools of Islamic theology maintain that belief in Prophet of God and His Messengers is a principal article of faith in Islam. The Sunnis however hold the view that sending of Apostles to man by God belonged to the categories of possible things (i.e. out of His mercy, not as a matter of necessity). The Mu‘tazilah, considered it wājib (i.e. necessary) based on their principle that justice demands that God ensures what is salutary to humanity.

The most acceptable opinion is that a Nabiyy (Prophet) is one to whom law is revealed whether commanded to deliver the law or not while a Rasūl (Messenger or Apostle) is one to whom law is revealed and commanded to deliver it. God honours with both whom He chooses; they are not acquired; it is only saint-hood that can be acquired.

Qualities of Veracity, Infallibility, Trustworthiness and Intelligence are qualities necessary in them (wājib). The opposites of these, viz.

Lying, Betrayal of trust, Concealment of message and Stupidity are impossible qualities in them (mustaħīl). Occurrence of such human accidents in them as do not lead to defect in their lofty rank is possible (jāiz).

The proof of verity of divine message by Mu‘jizah is incontrovertible in the opinion of the majority of theologians. Whereas whoever denies the miraculous nature of the Qur’ān and reports of miracles in the holy book is a kāfir, denial of other extra-ordinary occurrences reported from Prophet Muhammad will only make a person intransigent.

5.0 SUMMARY

This unit opens with an explanation of the three categories to which articles of faith in Islam are classified. It expatiate the significance of the creed and highlights the divergent views of the theological schools.

It gives an idea about the number and names of some of them buttressed with references to sacred texts of Islam. The distinction between a Prophet and an Apostle and the question of whether they were through divine grace or acquisition are clarified. A discussion of the wājib (necessary), mustaħīl (impossible) and jāiz (possible) qualities in them is also included. The unit is concluded with a brief examination of the concept of miracle.

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6.0 TUTOR-MARKED ASSIGNMENT

1. Discuss the significance of the terms Nabiyy and Rasūl.

2. Write a short note on miracle with particular reference to the miracles of the Prophet Muhammad.

3. Examine fully the three categories to which faith in Islam are usually classified.

7.0 REFERENCES/FURTHER READING

Hasan, S. M. (1402/1983). Mudhakkiratu `t-Tawhīd; Vols 1-5. Cairo:

Al-Azhar Colleges Press.

Muhammad al-Fuđalī, Kifāyat al-‘Awām fi Ilmi `l-Kalam,Eng. trans.

by D. B. MacDonald in his Development of Muslim Theology…London, 1903, pp. 315-351

Najmu ‘d-Dīn an-`Nasafī,, al-Aqā’id, Eng. tr. by D.B. MacDonald…pp.

308-315

The Holy Qur'ān with English Translation.