Modern rationality has set a standard for the correctness of anything that it must enter into human reason and be subject to its experience. Under this lens, even religious beliefs are becoming a target for criticism, so wherever there are rational questions about beliefs in monotheism, prophethood, and the afterlife, in that context, the miracles of the prophets also arise.
Modern thinking demands a scientific justification for these beliefs. While recognizing this, it should also be noted that science is limited to certain dimensions, observations, and experiences. It is not aware of ultimate truths, mysteries, and knowledge. Many Muslim youth have developed doubts and misconceptions about these beliefs, and some sincere Muslims, due to their failure to respond, have resorted to extreme compromises based on the foundations of religion.
In the absence of reasonable and possible scientific explanations and explanations for these beliefs, considering the scrutiny of modern Muslim minds, there is a need for such rational and possible scientific guidance and explanation that would make the claim of irrationality against them clear.
A miracle is something that goes against the norm, occurring after a claim (of prophethood) and is essentially impossible. Even though people possess complete understanding and insight while making efforts and planning, they are still helpless in the face of it. Through a miracle, an event appears that deviates from the general laws of nature, making it evident that the claimant of prophethood is appointed by the Lord of all worlds. To establish the truth of his claim, the Lord has brought about this event through direct intervention, signifying it as a miraculous sign. Although the Prophet’s character, ethics, physical health, and the message he conveyed were all evidence of his truthfulness, not every mind was satisfied with this evidence. Therefore, a miraculous event was presented through the Prophet that contradicted the natural laws, an event that was impossible according to established natural laws. These extraordinary events were not presented as proof of the existence of God but rather as evidence of the Prophet’s mission and the authenticity of his teachings.
The fear of scientific discoveries and laws has led to the emergence of interpreters of the Quran in our midst who, in their zeal to prove the Quran in line with known scientific laws, have denied the existence of miracles and have even tried to give supernatural events a natural explanation, thus rendering them no longer miracles.
The mental state of those who deny miracles based on scientific knowledge and laws is akin to that of an alien who has arrived on our planet from somewhere and is observing the traffic signals. He notices that the red light causes cars to stop, and the green light makes them move. Assuming this observation as the reason for cars stopping and moving, he investigates further by examining traffic signals throughout the city. Based on this consistent observation, he concludes that “the red light causes cars to stop, and the green light is the reason for their movement.” He then takes this assumption as an established law of the universe after verifying it through observations at various intersections.
Now, let’s suppose that the encounter with the alien happens on our planet, and you explain to the alien about your perception of the traffic lights using the assumed law: “The red light always makes the car stop, and the green light makes it move.” You tell the alien that these colours do not have any inherent power to stop or start cars but that humans have assigned these meanings to them. As long as we desire this order, it continues to function, but when we no longer want it, we can disrupt it, just as we have exempted ambulances from this law.
However, the alien remains resistant to your explanation. Instead of accepting your explanation, the alien considers you ignorant and irrational, claiming that “the laws of the universe cannot be as per human perception, and an ambulance cannot stop at a red light.”
This is the situation of every person who, based on scientific observations and discovered relationships, denies miracles. The Prophet of Allah says that these things do not have inherent effects but are manifestations and meanings ordained by the divine command. They persist as long as He wills, and when He does not, these relationships cease to exist. But science, as a tool, cannot comprehend the connections discovered by humans in the world created by Allah. Instead, it mocks the Prophet while holding on to its perceived laws.
An example of this is when a person walks on a tightrope between two tall towers. He carefully balances a long stick in his hands and slowly walks. He also carries his only son on his shoulders. The crowd on the ground watches in suspense, deeply concerned for his safety, and offers prayers. As he slowly reaches the other tower, the crowd erupts in jubilation. Spectators on their seats give him thunderous applause, and the city resounds with loud cheers, slogans, and chants. Young people gather around him, taking selfies and asking for autographs. Turning away from his welcoming crowd, he suddenly asks, “Is everyone here willing to trust me to return to where I started with my child? Is your faith and trust so strong that I can come back to where I began?” The whole gathering shouted in unison, “Yes, yes, we are not only willing to trust you with conditions and stipulations, but we are also prepared to stake everything on your unbelievable act and trust.”
He closed his eyes for a few moments, choosing silence. A deathly silence fell over the gathering. Everyone waited as he, with a dramatic pause, finally spoke: “Alright then, can anyone from this audience trust their child on my shoulders? I will safely take the child to the other side.” Silence engulfed the entire gathering, and everyone was stunned by this question, unable to respond. No one dared to trust him now, just moments after they were willing to place conditions and stipulations on their trust.
Breaking the silence, he continued: “There is a difference between faith and trust. Trust requires you to completely surrender. In today’s world, this is what we lack. Do our beliefs instill unwavering faith in us? Do we truly trust Him? The day we have unwavering faith and trust, the journey towards the successful destination of trust will begin, and on that day, we will break free from the bondage of foreign influences. InshaAllah.”
(Note: InshaAllah is an Arabic phrase that means “God willing” or “if Allah wills.”)
