Author: Mufti Noor Mohammad Mohibi
The Qur’an: A Miracle Beyond Time- A Study of Its Miraculous Nature (Part Four)
Types of Miracles
The diversity of miracles—from physical to spiritual, sensory to intellectual, and temporary to everlasting—not only responds to the social and cultural conditions of different communities but also reflects the divine wisdom and planning in aligning the heavenly message with the mental capacities of its audience. In this section, the categorization and analysis of the miracles of the prophets is presented.
1. Classification of Miracles Based on Content and Type of Impact
Scholars have classified miracles based on their content into various categories. The most well-known of these are:
A. Sensory (Tangible) Miracles
These miracles manifest in the physical world and can be directly seen or felt by the audience. Examples include:
The splitting of the sea for Musa (Moses),
The emergence of the she-camel from the mountain for Salih,
The splitting of the moon (Shaqq al-Qamar) for the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH),
Water gushing from between the fingers of the Prophet (PBUH), as established in authentic narrations.
B. Intellectual and Spiritual Miracles
These are understood through reason and intellect, and their effects are mostly in the intellectual and spiritual realm. The most important example of this category is the Qur’an itself: “وَإِن كُنتُم فِي رَيبٍ مِّمَّا نَزَّلْنَا عَلَىٰ عَبْدِنَا فَأْتُوا بِسُورَةٍ مِّن مِّثْلِهِ” Translation: “And if you are in doubt about what We have sent down upon Our Servant [Muhammad], then produce a surah the like thereof.” [Al-Baqarah: 23]
The Qur’an is a linguistic, scientific, historical, and eternal miracle that transcends Arabic poetry and prose. Its miraculous nature can be understood both logically and rhetorically.
2. Classification Based on the Audience’s Perceptive Faculties
A. Visual Miracles
Miracles that are perceived through sight, such as: The splitting of the sea, The transformation of the staff into a serpent, The splitting of the moon, and so on.
B. Auditory Miracles
Examples include hearing sounds from inanimate objects or nature—such as the stones that greeted the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), as verified in authentic (Sahih) hadith.
C. Tactile (Touch-Based) Miracles
Such as feeling healing or blessing by touching the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). For instance, the eye of Ali was cured during the Battle of Khaybar by the Prophet’s (PBUH) touch, as reported in authentic narrations.
3. Classification Based on Duration of Effect
A. Instantaneous and Temporary Miracles
These occur at a specific moment or situation, and their effects are limited to that time. Examples include: The splitting of the moon, The descent of rain through the Prophet’s (PBUH) supplication.
B. Everlasting and Permanent Miracles
These miracles begin at a particular time, but their effects remain ongoing. For instance: The Quran, the everlasting miracle of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), The she-camel of Salih, who lived among the people for a while.
4. Classification Based on the Field and Expertise of the Audience
One of the most important classifications—highlighted by many theologians—is that miracles were suited to the intellectual and cultural capabilities of the people of their time. This reflects divine wisdom in the mission of the prophets.
A. Medical Miracles
Examples include cures beyond the capacity of physicians, such as the miracles of ʿIsa (Jesus): “أَنِّي قَدْ جِئْتُكُم بِـَٔايَةٍ مِّن رَّبِّكُمْ أَنِّي أَخْلُقُ لَكُم مِّنَ ٱلطِّينِ كَهَيْئَةِ ٱلطَّيْرِ فَأَنفُخُ فِيهِ فَيَكُونُ طَيْرًا بِإِذْنِ ٱللَّهِۖ وَأُبْرِئُ ٱلْأَكْمَهَ وَٱلْأَبْرَصَ وَأُحْيِ ٱلْمَوْتَىٰ بِإِذْنِ ٱللَّهِ” Translation: “Indeed, I have come to you with a sign from your Lord: I will create for you out of clay the likeness of a bird, then breathe into it, and it will become a bird by Allah’s permission. I will heal the blind and the leper and bring the dead to life by Allah’s permission.” [Aal ʿImran: 49]
Since medicine was prevalent among the Israelites, Jesus’ miracles were manifested in healing the sick and reviving the dead.
B. Miracles Resembling Magic
During the time of Musa (Moses), magic was at its peak in Egypt. His miracles—like turning the staff into a serpent—nullified the magic of the sorcerers.
C. Linguistic and Rhetorical Miracles
At the time of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), the Arabs were masters of eloquence and rhetoric. The Qur’an, as a matchless literary miracle, rendered them helpless in this very domain.
5. The Miracles of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)
The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was granted many miracles. Some are related to the Qur’an, while others are physical or sensory.
A. Speaking of Stones and Trees
It is narrated from Jabir ibn Samurah that he said: The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, “I know a stone in Mecca that used to greet me before I was appointed a prophet. I still recognize it.” [1]
B. The Blessing of Food and Water
In Sahih Bukhari, it is narrated: Jabir ibn Abdullah said: During the Battle of the Trench (Khundaq), I saw that the Prophet (PBUH) was extremely hungry. I went home and asked my wife if we had anything. She brought a sack with one ṣāʿ (about three kilos) of barley. We had a small lamb, so I slaughtered it. My wife ground the barley into flour while I prepared the meat. I went back and whispered to the Prophet (PBUH): “O Messenger of Allah, we have prepared some food. Please come with a few companions (Sahaba).” The Prophet (PBUH) called out loudly: “O people of the trench! Jabir has prepared food. Come quickly!” I returned home with the Prophet (PBUH). My wife exclaimed: “May Allah take care of you! You have embarrassed me before the Prophet (PBUH).” The Prophet (PBUH) came and spat into the dough and the pot of meat. He invoked blessing upon them. Then he said, “Call a baker and don’t take the pot off the fire.” Jabir said: “We were about a thousand people, and by Allah, all of them ate to their fill and left. The pot remained full, and the dough continued to yield bread just as before.” [2]
C. Water Gushing from Between the Prophet’s (PBUH) Fingers
Anas narrated: The Prophet (PBUH) prayed for water, and a large bowl was brought. People began performing ablution. I estimated that they were between sixty to eighty men. I saw water gushing from between the fingers of the Prophet (PBUH). [3]
D. The Blessed Night Journey (Miʿrāj) and the Splitting of the Moon (Shaq al-Qamar)
Both of these are mentioned in the Quran. Other miracles include fulfilled prophecies—such as the conquest of Syria and the death of certain hypocrites.
Continues…
Previous Part
[1]. Sahih Muslim 4/1782: Hadith number (2277).
[2] Sahih al-Bukhari, Chapter of the Battle of the Trench and the Confederates 5/108: Hadith number 4102.
[3] Sahih Muslim 4/1783: Hadith number (2279).
