By 'Allamah Mufti Muhammad Shafi' / 25 June 2013

The difference between tasarruf and karamah is that tasarruf comes about by the usage of natural means, like the imaginative or contemplative faculties, and it is from the commonly acquired skills. Acceptance from Allah Almighty and even being Muslim have no bearing on it, since many disbelievers like the Brahmans of India and the atheists of Europe called “Mesmerists” today perform it.

By Aisha Stacey / 4 Feb 2013

Islam defines a miracle as an extraordinary act or event that is contrary to the laws of nature and can only come about through the direct intervention of Allah Almighty Himself.  The Arabic word for miracle is mu’jizah.  It stems from the word ajz, meaning something that incapacitates, cannot be resisted, unique.  According to Islam, miracles are performed by the permission of Allah, by the prophets of Allah.  Miracles are not magic, which is by definition a trick or illusion, nor is a miracle an event brought about by a learned righteous people who are not prophets of Allah.  These events are called karamahs.  Thus we find three distinct categories, miracles, karamahs and magic.