What is the difference between a miracle, a karāmah (miraculous honor granted to a righteous person), and magic?

All praise is due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon the Messenger of Allah.

Miracles, karāmāt (miraculous honors granted by Allah to His righteous servants), and magic may all involve extraordinary events that go beyond the ordinary course of nature. However, they differ fundamentally in their source, purpose, and ruling.

First: What is a miracle?

A miracle is an extraordinary event that Allah causes to occur at the hands of one of His prophets or messengers as proof of the truthfulness of his message and as evidence against the people. It is accompanied by the claim of prophethood and serves as a challenge that others cannot match.

Second: What is a karāmah?

A karāmah is an extraordinary event that Allah grants to one of His righteous servants as an honor, to strengthen his faith, or to fulfill a legitimate religious benefit, without any claim to prophethood or challenge.

Receiving a karāmah is not a condition for being one of Allah's righteous allies (awliyā'). Many of the greatest awliyā' never had any visible karāmah.

Third: What is magic?

Magic (sihr) consists of prohibited practices that a magician learns and performs, often through the assistance of devils, magical incantations, talismans, and acts of shirk (associating partners with Allah). It is one of the gravest major sins. It is neither a karāmah of the righteous nor a miracle of the prophets.

The difference between a miracle and a karāmah

Among the most important differences are:

• A miracle is granted to prophets, whereas a karāmah is granted to Allah's righteous servants.
• A miracle accompanies the claim of prophethood and establishes proof, whereas a karāmah is never associated with claiming prophethood.
• A prophet is commanded to manifest his miracle, while a karāmah is generally concealed and not spoken about except for a legitimate benefit.
• A miracle confirms the truthfulness of a messenger, while a karāmah is an honor from Allah to a believing servant.

The difference between a miracle and magic

The differences include:

• A miracle comes from Allah, whereas magic comes from magicians through the assistance of devils.
• A miracle is always a source of guidance and goodness, whereas magic brings evil, corruption, and harm.
• A miracle cannot be opposed or nullified, while magic can be nullified through lawful ruqyah and by Allah's permission.
• A miracle cannot be acquired through learning, whereas magic is learned through specific methods.
• Miracles appear at the hands of the best of creation—the prophets—whereas magic is practiced by people of corruption and misguidance.

How can a Muslim distinguish between a karāmah and satanic phenomena?

The criterion is the condition of the person through whom these extraordinary events occur.

If the person adheres to the Qur'an and the Sunnah, fulfills the obligatory duties, and avoids what Allah has forbidden, then what appears at his hands is, in principle, a karāmah from Allah.

However, if the person is known for shirk, religious innovations, magic, or مخالفة the Islamic law, then what appears at his hands is not a karāmah but one of the satanic deceptions by which Satan misleads his followers.

Summary

A miracle is exclusive to the prophets as proof of their message. A karāmah is exclusive to Allah's righteous servants as an honor from Him. Magic is a prohibited practice based on seeking the help of devils and using false means. The criterion for distinguishing a true karāmah from satanic phenomena is the person's adherence to the Qur'an, the Sunnah, and obedience to Allah.

And Allah knows best.