QUESTION:
I had a small debate with a non-Muslim friend and he told me to prove Islam with ‘solid’ evidence via miracles which are happening today and can be proved. I told him about the story of the ‘Dead Sea’ where nothing lives there but scientists have found bacteria living in the water disproving that evidence. Can you please inform me on miracles which I can use to prove Islam in this day and age (to a non-Muslim).
ANSWER:
All praises belong to Allāh, the Creator Most Sublime Who is Uncreated, the One without equal, the One Who revealed the Qur’ān upon His Prophet ﷺ. Infinite salutations, peace and blessings be upon all Messengers of Allāh, specifically the final Prophet, Our Master, Our Guide, Muhammad Mustafa ﷺ, upon his purified family, his esteemed companions, and whomsoever follows in his blessed footsteps until the last day.
Primarily, know the definition of a miracle: a miracle is an extraordinary event that is neither explicable by the faculty of human intellect nor imitative by the strength of human nature alone.
Allāh ﷻ strengthened his Prophets with many miracles so that the people may accept the Prophets and increase their belief in Allāh ﷻ. The Prophets were strengthened with miracles relevant to the era they were sent in, for example, magic was prevalent within the era of the Prophet Musa (عليه السلام) so Allāh ﷻ empowered him with the miracle which subdued the best magicians of the time. Disease was prevalent in the time of the Prophet Eesa (عليه السلام) so Allāh ﷻ empowered him with the miracle to heal diseases and disabilities.
All the miracles granted to the Prophets were restricted to their respected era and to the people they were sent to. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ was bestowed with the greatest miracle through the revelation of the Qūr’ān.
The Arabs were known for their literary abilities yet the Qur’ān left them dumbfounded.
This miracle is eternal and everlasting and Allāh ﷻ has said in the Qur’ān in Surat Al-‘Isrā’:
قُل لَّئِنِ اجْتَمَعَتِ الْإِنسُ وَالْجِنُّ عَلَىٰ أَن يَأْتُوا بِمِثْلِ هَٰذَا الْقُرْآنِ لَا يَأْتُونَ بِمِثْلِهِ وَلَوْ كَانَ بَعْضُهُمْ لِبَعْضٍ ظَهِيرًا
Proclaim, “If all mankind and jinns agree to bring an equivalent to the Qur’ān, they will not be able to bring its equal – even if they were to help each other.”
[Kanzul Eemanan 17:88]
This challenge still stands. This miracle still exists. It is greater than all other miracles.
Secondly, know that to debate without prerequisite knowledge is extremely dangerous and can open doors to doubt and misguidance.
And Allāh knows best.
Answered by Ustadh Asid Shafait
Checked by Shaykh Naveed Jameel