The Majlis Archive
Aqeedah The Majlis Vol 24 No 02, p.4

What is the difference between magic and karaamat/ mu'jizah?

Question

What is the difference between magic and karaamat/ mu'jizah? How can we distinguish? A Mufti once said that magic is just illusion and the haqeeqat of the matter does not change but with karaamat it changes as stated in the Qur'aan about the confrontation of Musa (Alayhis salaam) and Fir'oan's magicians. They made the ropes appear as snakes however Allah made the stick change into a big snake which made the magicians realize the truth. The Mufti said this is the opinion of Imaam Abu Bakr Al Jassas.

Answer

Magic is shaitaani manipulation. Karaamat is by the permission of Allah Ta'ala. Evil people, kuffaar, fussaaq and fujjaar dabble with magic. Karaamat is manifested at the hands of a Wali. Mu'jizah is the supernatural acts demonstrated by the Ambiya (Alayhimus salaam).

Magic (Sihr) is a reality as is confirmed by numerous Aayaat of the Qur'aan and Ahaadith. While some demonstrations of magic are illusions, others are realities. All magic is not illusion.

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