WHY MUSLIMS DON'T EMPHASISE MIRACLE BY_ DR RAZAQ BOLAWAYE UTHMAN

190TH EDITION OF VOICE OF THE MIMBARR 09-03-1448 AH/21-08-2026 CE

Bismillah Ar-Rahman Ar-Rahim

In the expectation of celebration of the birth of the noble Messenger Muhammad (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam (SAW)), what do Muslims need to address regarding the acknowledged Maolud Nabiyy? Celebrations begin and it lingers on till the period of Ramadan. To Allah (SubhanaHu Wa Ta'ala (SWT) be the glory and the peace and blessings of Allah be upon the noble Messenger Muhammad (SAW) and all deserving creatures till eternity. But for the blessing of the divine guidance, word of piety, Prophets Ibrahim and Muhammad's way, we are nurtured towards taking to the best of matters and jettison the innovative, self-satisfaction and of of course invincible truth. 

Allah (SWT) categorically declare an illuminating way of religiosity-assured as distinct from sworn and fettered concepts and human possible hallucinations in the garb of religiosity. He says: 'The same religion has He established for you as that which He enjoined on Nuh - the which We have sent by inspiration to you-- and that which We enjoined on Ibrahim, Musa, and Isa: namely, that you should remain steadfast in Religion, and make no divisions therein: to those who worship other things than Allah, hard is the (way) to which you call them. Allah chooses to Himself those whom He pleases, and guides to Himself those who turn (to Him) Qur'an 42:13).'

The above Ayah offers unprecedented solution to the elasticity of prophet-hood beyond the noble Messenger Muhammad ((SAW) as it also constructs a non disjointed chain and a cohesive bridge across the double-end divine message narratives. This being as it may, call on prophet-hood and divine book afterwards amounts to utter disbelief (kufr) with the Allah's provision. This gives the Believers effrontery for congratulations on the unequalled privilege of taking to the most perfect guidance. A poet aptly refers to this as long standing and rear.oppoetunity when he placed on record saying: 'بشرى لنا معشر الاسلام ان لنا# من العناية ركنا غير منعدم

meaning: Congratulations to us Muslim group for obtaining; a paraphernalia of unequalled and inflatable stance.'

What is miracle in the first place? All events striking beyond human imaginations and predisposed to uncommon feat to solve one human possible problem or another is miraculous. As an integra part of the hidden knowledge, it is prerogative of Prophets, Messengers, Saints and Anointed. On the other hand, miracle appealing to breaching the nature is prune to magic and sorcery. The nature of miracle to some extent is to attend to certain demand which stand the test of time but may not live beyond that time. This is the true picture of miracle of Prophets and Messengers. 

It is important to mention the monumental comment of Michael Whatt, a veteran Orientalist who catalogued the world leaders of repute when he placed on record that: 'The Desert boy tops them all.' This attests to the fact that seeking after miracles to solve contemporary problems appears more of chasing shadow. In fact, this confirms the central theme of the Qur'an 72:26-28 portion which provides that Allah does not only guide, protect the bearers of miracles and wonders but also mentor and monitor their pace against miscalculations and unnecessary ordeals. 

For a Muslim (Believer) to be on the same page with the pristine faith as recommended in Islam, it is expected to jettison any miraculous instance and take to enduring and outlandish feats as resonated in the messenger-ship of Prophet Muhammad (SAW). This is encapsulated in the line of poetry which says: 'وعندنا ترتيب في المسنون # ومن يقل بعكسه مجنون meaning: 'For us a gazette in the Sunnah; acting otherwise amounts to insanity.' If earlier civilizations became popular on the instance of time-bound miracles, that pf the last Messenger takes an exemption and it champions the games without looking aback. 

The last factor is informed by several reasons part of which include: 'The uniqueness of worship, Qiblah, mode of worship in Islam and the preserved nature of the Qur'an for the past one thousand four hundred and forty-eight years in existence. The miracle is historically regimented and climate bound. The miracle of Prophet Muhammad include unletteredness which leads to his top quality leadership. Other reasons for the exemplary nature of Prophet Muhammad's miracle is the fact that he was given the last testament divine Book - holy Qur'an. This foregrounds the fact that acclaimed prophecy and sworn messages common in the contemporary societies may not be anything short of devil's proposal. That the holy Qur'an is an unequalled lexicon of Arabic language and linguistics. As a living human language its study preserves the Qur'an and the religion of Islam. 

Another reason why Muslims de-emphasize miracle is that in less than half a century, the mission of Prophet Muhammad enveloped the world. The Romans that were hitherto the super power came under Islam and Istanbul (Constantinople) the capital of Rome was subdued by the Arab Muslims. Even though it later slipped off, the miraculous entry of the Rome remain monumental to date. 

Not only that, it is miraculous indeed that the name Islam appears in the holy Qur'an six (6) times and the name Muhammad also surface four times. Other set of wonders of Prophet Muhammad include his miraculous exit from home at the ready to kill face of Makkan disbelievers prior to the Hijrah to Madinah. The Qur'an 36:9 bearing 'casting oblivious spells on the enemies' and the event of 'Dove and cobweb' purported for casting attention away from sighting the Prophet and his friend Abubakar in the cafe Hirai.'  

More importantly, Prophet Muhammad is better assessed historically in terms of achievements than in person. It is of utmost importance that Prophet Muhammad is assessed on the basis of four principal things epitomised by Islam as related in Suratul 'Asr (Qur'an 104:1-4). Such attributes linger on as Iman, good deeds, truth saying and perseverance. In fact, the essence of de-emphasizing miracle in Islam is for the Muslims to be forward-looking as against utter retrogression at the instance of seeking after miracles. The fact that his mission endures till end of life shows little or no desire for looking back towards miracles and wonders that occured in the past. 

As the Maolud Nabiyy ceremony approaches, Muslims should be wary of recounting miracles except the relevant ones that portrays Islam as a generational way of life. As we wind up the edition, we pray towards Allah that: 'We beseech Allah to grant us wherewithal for good deeds, shunning lewdness, cultivating love for the less privileged, forgiveness on all sins and blessing, and spare us whenever a group of people are to be punished.' This is the central theme of the tripartite concepts often trailing each sermon delivered every Jum'at day; 'justice, benevolence and giving to the kindreds; and shunning evil, lewdness and oppression. (Qur'an 16:90).' Till we meet again next edition, Jum'at mubarakah. 

© DR RAZAQ BOLAWAYE UTHMAN, 

IMAM & MISSIONER ANSAR-UD-DEEN SOCIETY OF NIGERIA IPAJA BRANCH LAGOS STAYE NIGERIA. ©2026