Magic vs Mu'jizat / Karamat

Magic

To perform a strange or peculiar incident without any apparent cause is called magic. According to the Oxford dictionary, magic is the supposed art of controlling events or effects, etc. by supernatural power.


Mu'jizat & Karamat

If the magic or miracle is performed through the prophets, it is called Mu'jizat. If it is performed through pious and saintly people, it is called Karamat.

There are many incidents of Mu'jiizats and Karamats mentioned in the Qur'an and Ahadith of Rasulullah SAW:

• Allah Ta'ala speaks about the Mu'jizat performed by Saleh AS by bringing forth a young camel from within the mountain upon the request of his people to prove the authenticity of his prophethood. (Surah Al-A'raaf: Ayat 73)
• Allah also speaks about the Mu'jizat performed by Rasulullah SAW by merely pointing at the moon ordering it to split into two parts. (Surah Al-Qamar: Ayat 1)
• Isa AS used to perform Mu'jizat by healing people despondent of any cure. (Surah Al-Mumtahinah: Ayat 110)

Purpose of Mu'jizat and Karamat

The purpose of such miraculous incidents is to substantiate and consolidate true and correct beliefs. Many disbelievers accepted Islam upon witnessing such miraculous incidents. However, these miraculous incidents can be performed by disbelievers as well and it is called Istidraaj.

Difference Between Mu'jizat / Karamat And Istidraaj

Among other differences between Mu'jizat, Karamat and Istidraaj, one is, prophets and saintly people attribute the miracles to Allah and invite towards Allah, as opposed to Istidraaj wherein the magicians attribute their miraculous performances to themselves.

Before Qiyamat, Dajjal will appear and perform strange and peculiar things like bringing rain, killing a person and restoring life, etc. He will claim divinity and prove it through magical incidents. People with weak faith, in view of his magic, will have faith in him and become kaafirs.

Similarly, the magic performances of any magician e.g. David Copperfield etc. is Istidraaj. Allah Ta'ala grants them respite and people with weak Imaan forget the ultimate Power of Allah Ta'ala and become confounded with the powers of magicians and place their faith and confidence in them. The magicians may be regarded as preliminary shows of the ultimate magic of Dajjal.

Rasulullah SAW cautioned the Ummah of the tricks of Dajjal and cautioned about his kufur deceptions. It is not permissible to attend or view any magical show.

Consider the following Ahadith:

• Abdullah ibn Umar RA narrates that Rasulullah SAW said, 'The prayer of everyone is accepted in the night of 15th Sha'baan but not the prayer of the magician and tax-collector (Riwayat Ahmad).
• Anas RA narrates that Rasulullah SAW said, 'If a man is not polytheist or a magician or is not jealous of Muslim brothers, the rest of his sins are expected to be forgiven.' (Riwayat Tabrani)
• Abu Hurairah RA narrates that Rasulullah SAW said, 'Three persons will not enter paradise: the habitual drunkard, one who believes in magic and one who breaks the blood relations.' (Riwayat Ibn Hibbaan)