Concept

Hujwiri's Criteria for Distinguishing Miracles (Mu'jizat) from Saintly Wonders (Karamat)

In Section 22 of Kashf al-Mahjub, Hujwiri lays out the specific criteria that separate a prophet's miracle (mu'jiza) from a saint's wonder (karama), even though both break natural custom (naqz al-'ada):

  1. Manifestation vs. concealment: A miracle must be openly displayed (izhar), whereas a saintly wonder is meant to be hidden (kitman).
  2. Public vs. private benefit: The fruit of a miracle returns to others, confirming prophethood for a community, while a karama belongs to its holder alone.
  3. Certainty vs. uncertainty: A prophet can affirm with certainty that his act is a miracle; a saint cannot be sure whether his experience is a true karama or a deceptive istidraj (gradual entrapment).
  4. Legislative authority vs. submission: The bearer of a miracle exercises authority within the sacred law, affirming and negating by God's command, whereas the saint has nothing but submission to and acceptance of the law, since a karama can never contradict the prophet's ruling.

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Updated 2026-07-20

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Literature

Persian Literature Prerequisite Course