This is a vast topic. The miracles granted to Allah’s friends have been discussed at length elsewhere. As for what we ourselves have witnessed, and what continues to occur in our own time, it is plentiful.

One should realize that such miracles are granted in proportion to a person’s need. If someone of weak faith, or someone in genuine hardship, requires them, he is given what strengthens his faith and relieves his need. Another believer, whose closeness to Allah is more complete, may be above any need for them, and so nothing of the sort appears at his hands—his rank is too lofty and he is self-sufficient with respect to them, not because his sainthood is in any way deficient.

For this reason, these occurrences were more common among the Successors than among the Companions. Different, however, is the case of those through whom wonders occur for the guidance of people and to meet their needs; such individuals hold the highest rank.

[Certain demonic states]

This stands in contrast to satanic states, such as the case of ʿAbd Allah ibn Ṣayyād, who emerged in the time of the Prophet—may Allah bless him and grant him peace. Some Companions thought he was the Antichrist, and the Prophet himself withheld judgment until it later became clear that he was not the Antichrist, but merely of the same ilk as the soothsayers.

The Prophet said to him, “I have hidden something for you.”

He replied, “Smoke, smoke.” (The Prophet had concealed Surah al-Dukhan, “The Smoke.”)

The Prophet then said, “Be gone! You will never exceed your station,” meaning: you are only one of the soothsayers’ brethren.