Miracles of the Saints (Karamāt)

We have already spoken about the signs bestowed upon the prophets, the difference between those signs and the extraordinary feats of sorcerers and soothsayers, as well as the wonders produced by modern inventions and the effects each of these has. God willing, we shall now address the miracles granted to the saints, for they are connected to the prophetic signs, and we shall explain how they differ from the feats of magicians and charlatans. We say:

The friends of Allah are the believers who fear Him, as the Most High says, “Indeed, the friends of Allah shall have no fear, nor shall they grieve—those who believe and remain mindful of Him.” ⦗1⦘ Thus every believer who is mindful of Allah is one of His friends in proportion to his faith and piety. Allah may make extraordinary events occur at such a person’s hands; these are what are called karāmāt (miraculous gifts).

A karāmah is an event that breaks with the normal order of things, which Allah brings about through certain righteous followers of the messengers as an honor to them, by virtue of their adherence to the prophets—may blessings and peace be upon them all.

Not every saint is granted a karāmah; they occur only for some—either because of the strength of the person’s faith, or out of need, or to establish proof against an opponent who disputes the truth. The fact that some saints experience no karāmah does not indicate any deficiency on their part, just as those who do receive a karāmah are not thereby proven to be superior to others.

The miracles of the saints are a reality affirmed by the consensus of the imams of Islam and of Ahl al-Sunnah wal-Jamāʿah, and the evidence for this is found