MIRACLES AND THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE UNSEEN

16- MIRACLES AND THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE UNSEEN

Being the servant of God doesn't prevent the prophet to know the unseen, or the future and the past by the leave of God. "God alone knows the UNSEEN, nor does HE make any one aware of HIS Mysteries, Except an apostle whom He has chosen.

THE HOLY QURAN _ S72: 26_27

We know that one of the miracles performed by Jesus, was to inform people of some of the mysterious affairs. "... And Jesus said I declare to you what you EAT and what you store in your houses ..."

THE HOLY QURAN _ S3: 49

Mohammad the prophet of Islam too, declared many secrets by the way of God's inspiration. "That is of the unseen reports which we reveal by inspiration unto you."

THE HOLY QURAN _ S12 _ 102

So the prophets may inform of the unseen through the inspiration of God. It is in the Holy QURAN that the prophet says:_

"I tell you not that, with me are the treasure of Allah; nor do I know what is hidden, (THE UNSEEN) nor do I tell you that I am an angel. I only follow that which is revealed to me."

THE HOLY QURAN _ S6: 50

This, of course, refers to the substantial knowledge, and not the knowledge obtained by Divine teachings to the prophets.

WE BELIEVE that these reverend prophets have performed miracles and super natural acts by the leave of God; and because we believe their miracles to be with the permission of God, we don't consider that a sort of polytheism. According to the HOLY QURAN; Jesus Christ raised the dead to life again, but by the leave of God, and healed the incurable diseases:_

"By Allah's leave", said Jesus; "I shall give sight to the blind, and heal the lepers, and I raise the dead to life, (with the permission of God.)"

THE HOLY QURAN _ S3: 49

17- THE INTERCESSION OF THE PROPHETS

WE BELIEVE that all the prophets, particularly our prophet, are in a position to intercede with God on behalf of a certain group of sinners. This intercession must be, and is by the leave of God. "No intercessor can plead with Him, except after His leave."

THE HOLY QURAN _ S10: 3

"Who is there to intercede in His presence, except with His permission?"

THE HOLY QURAN _ S2: 255

If in some of the Holy QURANIC verses we see that intercession is rejected: it refers to the absolute intercession, and not that which is by God's leave:_ "O, Believers! Bestow in alms a part of that which we have given you, before that day arrives in which there shall be neither trading, nor friendship, and nor intercession."

THE HOLY QURAN _ S2: 254

Here the independent intercession is meant which is not by the leave of God. We have always repeated that some of the Holy QURANIC verses describe some other. WE BELIEVE that the intercession is a good means for training and turning the sinners to the right path. It enjoins virtue and sanctity, and inspires hope in these who deserve it. It also is a notice to the sinners:_ not to ruin the bridges behind themselves, and live a little way of return to their Merciful Lord.

18- THE QUESTION OF RESORTING

WE BELIEVE that resorting too, is similar to the intercession, which permits those who have problems and difficulties to resort to the prophets and saints for a help; so that they may pray to God asking HIM to solve the problems of the resortees:

"When they oppressed themselves, would they have come to you (i.e. MUHAMMAD) to ask Allah's forgiveness for them, they surely would have found Allah an acceptor of their repentance and the Most Merciful."

THE HOLY QURAN _ S4: 64

In the story of JOSEPH the dreamer, found in the HOLY QURAN, when his brothers felt regret and repented, they resorted to their father (JACOB) to ask God to forgive them their sins. The old father agreed with their request, and promised to ask for their salvation in due time. In this respect the HOLY BOOK has:_ "They said,"O, our father! Ask forgiveness for our sins, for we were really at fault."

He said," Soon I shall ask my LORD to forgive you all, for HE is indeed often forgiving and Merciful"

THE HOLY QURAN _ S12: 97_98

Of course one should not transgress the logical bounds by thinking that the prophets could do as they liked without the permission of God. One should not try to change a case of resorting or interceding into a case of worshipping the prophets and the saints which is then mere Polytheism. They substantially can do nothing unless God permits them to do it.:--

"Say:_" I have no power over any good or bad to myself, except by the will of Allah. If I had the knowledge of the hidden, I would have availed myself of much goodness, and no harm would have touched me at all. I am only a Warner to all of you and a bearer of glad tiding to those who have faith."

THE HOLY QURAN _ S7: 188