Quranic Words Close to the Meaning of a Miracle
Selections from the Book Prophet Salih (peace be upon him) and the Reasons for the Destruction of the People of Thamud …
Written by Dr. Ali Muhammad al-Sallabi...
Episode (09)
The word "miracle" was not mentioned in the Holy Quran, nor in the sayings of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him), nor in the words of the Companions and their successors.
Perhaps the first use of the terms "miracle" and "miraculousness" occurred after the mid-third century of the Hijri calendar. Anyone in doubt should review the words of the Holy Quran, Hadith, and the statements of the Companions and their successors.
Although the word (miracle) does not appear in the Holy Quran, words with similar meanings are found, indicating what it signifies and referring to the proofs and evidences presented by the messengers to their people, demonstrating that Allah sent them. Several Quranic terms closely related to the meaning of a miracle include:
- Sign: It is a clear sign that provides undeniable proof of a claim. The Quran frequently refers to the extraordinary feats and proofs presented by prophets to their people as "signs" because they clearly demonstrate their prophethood. Allah says: {And We had certainly given Moses nine evident signs,} [Al-Isra: 101] and {This is the she-camel of Allah [sent] to you as a sign.} [Al-A'raf: 73].
- Clear Evidence: It is the clear evidence proving the truthfulness of a prophet’s claim to prophethood. Allah Almighty says: {And to the Thamud [We sent] their brother Salih. He said, "O my people, worship Allah; you have no deity other than Him. There has come to you clear evidence from your Lord. This is the she-camel of Allah [sent] to you as a sign.} [Al-A'raf: 73]. This verse includes two words: clear evidence and sign.
- Visible Sign: It refers to something evident and clear, which the heart perceives, the eye sees, and an open-minded person interacts with, using it as guidance to the truth. Allah Almighty says: {And nothing has prevented Us from sending signs [i.e., miracles] except that the former peoples denied them. And We gave Thamud the she-camel as a visible sign, but they wronged her. And We send not the signs except as a warning.} [Al-Isra: 59]. In this verse, two terms appear: signs and visible sign.
The word ''visible sign'' means that the she-camel was a clear proof and a sign of the prophethood of Salih (peace be upon him). Allah also says regarding the signs of the Holy Quran: {There has come to you enlightenment from your Lord. So whoever will see does so for [the benefit of] his soul, and whoever is blind [does harm] against it. And [say], "I am not a guardian over you."} [Al-An'am: 104].
- Proof: It is a clear statement and evident proof that convinces the intellect and influences the heart. Allah referred to the two signs of Moses (peace be upon him)—the staff and the hand—as "two proofs" in His words: {for those are two proofs from your Lord to Pharaoh and his establishment.} [Al-Qasas: 32].
Allah also referred to the Quran as proof in the verse: {O mankind, there has come to you a conclusive proof from your Lord, and We have sent down to you a clear light.} [An-Nisa: 174].
The absence of the words miracle and miraculousness in the Holy Quran and Sunnah does not mean that their usage is impermissible on the basis that they are an invented bid‘ah (innovation).
It is permissible to use these terms, so we can say: This is a miracle of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him), and the miraculous nature of the Holy Quran continues until the Day of Judgment.
This is allowed due to the strong similarity between the meaning of miracle and the meanings of Quranic terms, as their definitions align. It is well known that "there is no dispute over terminology". However, despite this permissibility, it is preferable to use Quranic terminology because of its superiority, honor, clarity, vitality, and comprehensive meaning. Therefore, we should say: The Quran is the sign (ayah) of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), the she-camel was the sign of Salih (peace be upon him), and Allah Almighty granted His messengers clear signs to confirm them.
- Ali Muhammad al-Sallabi, Prophet Salih (peace be upon him) and the Reasons for the Destruction of the People of Thamud, pp. 72-75.
- The rhetorical miracle of the Quran, p. 28.
For further information and review of the sources for the article, see:
The Book of Prophet Salih (peace be upon him) and the Reasons for the Destruction of the People of Thamud on the official website of Sheikh Dr. Ali Muhammad al-Sallabi:
