The affirmation of the miracles (Karamat) of the Awliya (saints) is a matter on which the predecessors of the Ummah (Sahaba and Tabi’un) reached Consensus (Ijma). The Ahl al-Sunnah wal-Jama’ah, relying on numerous texts from the Qur’an and the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him), unanimously affirm the reality of these miracles.
Statements of Scholars
Imam Fakhr al-Din al-Razi (may Allah have mercy on him) stated regarding Karamat: > “Karamat, in our view, is permissible, contrary to the views of the Mu’tazila and Abu Ishaq.”
Imam al-Nawawi (may Allah have mercy on him), while commenting on the hadith about a guest visiting Abu Bakr al-Siddiq (may Allah be pleased with him) and the food increasing as it was consumed, remarked: > “This hadith demonstrates the clear Karamat of Abu Bakr al-Siddiq (may Allah be pleased with him) and establishes the miracles of the Awliya. This is the creed of Ahl al-Sunnah wal-Jama’ah, contrary to that of the Mu’tazila.”
Umar ibn Sulayman al-‘Atibi, in his book “Al-Rusul wal-Risalat,” writes: > “One of the principles of Ahl al-Sunnah is their affirmation of the miracles of the Awliya and the extraordinary events that Allah manifests through them in various forms, such as knowledge, revelations, powers, and influences.”
Imam al-Taftazani (may Allah have mercy on him) said: > “The evidence for the authenticity of Karamat comes from narrations transmitted by Tawatur (mass transmission) from the noble Sahaba and those who followed them, making its denial impossible. This holds especially true regarding the commonality of such miracles, even if their details are transmitted as isolated reports.”
Rational Proofs
Imam Fakhr al-Din al-Razi (may Allah have mercy on him) mentioned two rational proofs for the affirmation of Karamat. Here, we will only discuss one:
The servant is a wali (friend) of Allah (S.W.T), as Allah states: > “Indeed, the Awliya of Allah will have no fear upon them, nor will they grieve.”
Similarly, Allah says: > “Allah is the ally of those who believe.”
From these verses, it is established that the servant is a wali of Allah and that Allah is the wali of the servant. Allah is the Beloved of the servant, and the servant is beloved to Allah, as He says: > “He loves them, and they love Him.”
And: > “Those who believe are stronger in love for Allah.”
Once this relationship is established and the servant attains the success to fulfill Allah’s commands and seek His pleasure, it becomes understandable for the Merciful and Generous Lord to grant the servant’s requests. Allah says: > “And fulfill My covenant; I will fulfill your covenant.”
Reminder
What has been presented here is only part of the differences between Ahl al-Sunnah wal-Jama’ah and the Mu’tazila. Other issues exist but cannot be addressed within this article; therefore, we refrain from elaborating on them here.
Recommended Reading
Interested readers can refer to the following books for further study:
Sharh al-‘Aqa’id al-Nasafiyyah
Araa’ al-Mu’tazila al-Usuliyyah: Dirasah wa Taqweem
