Some of the Miracles of the Holy Imams (A.S.)

The Holy Prophet of Islam (S) has said, “Allah has two types of learning, one is for Himself, that has not been taught to anyone else. The other type of learning is that which has been transferred to the prophets (S) and the angels, that also has come down to us.
Authentic traditions credited to the Imams (as) record that the Torah of prophet Musa (as), Bible of the prophet ‘Isa (as), the Zuboor of the Prophet Dawood (as), the Book of Ibrahim (as) and the books of other Prophets (as) are there with the Imams (as). The Imams (as) recite the Books as did the Prophets (as) of those times and are also familiar with their commentaries and interpretations.
Jaweria bin Mushir narrates that he, with others, was returning with Amir’ul-Mu’mineen ‘Ali (as) after battling with the excommunicated (Khawarij). When they reached near Babel, Amir’ul-Mu’mineen ‘Ali (as) said, “Speed away from this place! This is the place where Allah’s curse descended thrice and also it is the land whre pagan worship first started in the world!”
Amir’ul-Mu’mineen ‘Ali (as) said that the time for the Asr prayer was running out and they were still not out of the precincts of Babel. We were rushing fast, but the sun sank in the West before we could offer our prayer. The time for the Asr prayer, therefore, was over. However the Imam (as) asked the men to do the ablution for the prayer. Jaweria was astonished to see that Amir’ul-Mu’mineen ‘Ali (as), pointing his finger toward the already setting sun, brought it back on the horizon and we offered the Asr prayer standing behind him. Then the sun set once again, immediately thereafter, and the sky was aglow with the stars. Amir’ul-Mu’mineen ‘Ali (as) said, “O Jaweria! Don’t be so much surprised! Allah has said, ‘Fasabbeh beisme Rabbekal Azeem’ I called Him with His Great (Azeem) name. For my sake He made the sun reverse its journey!”
Safar narrates that he, along with others, reached a place called Aaqool in the company of Amir’ul-Mu’mineen ‘Ali (as). They found a dry and withering tree there. Amir’ul-Mu’mineen ‘Ali(as) touched the tree and said, “Return to your pristine condition with Allah’s orders!” Suddenly the tree put on fresh branches and fruits of the shape of guava fruit on the branches.The next day when we looked at the tree, it was fresh and green.
Imam Ja’far As-Sadiq (as) narrates that Imam Hasan (as) was on his way to Mecca for Umrah, the Minor Pilgrimage. One of the sons of Zubair was travelling along with him. They rested for a while under the shade of a tree. The son of Zubair said, “How I wish, the tree was bearing fruits that we ate them!”
Imam Hasan (as) asked him, “Do you really want to eat the fruits?” The son of Zubair said, “Yes! O Master! I have a desire to eat the fruits.”
Imam Hasan (as) raised his hands towards the sky and prayed. Lo and behold! The tree was instantly loaded with the fruits! One of the camel drivers said, “What a magic that fruits appear on the barren tree!”
The Imam (as) said, “Don’t call it magic. The Prophet (S)’s son’s prayer has been answered by Allah!”
Salman bin Khalid narrates that he, along with others, was on a journey with Imam Ja’far As-Sadiq (as). They reached near a dried date palm. The Imam (as) ordered the tree, “O tree! With the Orders of Allah, let us taste of your fruits!” Immediately the tree put on fresh and juicy dates that fell to the ground. Every person in the party ate to their fill. Abd Allah Balqi said, “O son of the Prophet (S)! What we had heard happening for Lady Maryam (as), we have seen happen before our eyes today!”
Hasan bin Abdallah wanted Imam Musa al-Kadhim (as) to show him his miracle. The Imam (as) noticed that there was a tree nearby. He asked Hasan to go near the tree and tell that the Imam (as) wanted it to come to him. Hasan did likewise. The tree, rending the soil holding its roots, proceeded fast towards the Imam (as). The Imam (as) ordered the tree to return to its original place, which it did!
Hasan narrates from Abu Baseer that one day he was in the presence of Imam Muhammad Al-Baqir (as) when he asked him, “O Master! Are you the Vicegerent of the Prophet (S)?”
The Imam (as) replied, “No doubt! I am the successor of the Prophet (S).”
Abu Baseer said, ‘The Prophet (S) was the successor of the earlier Prophets (as) and had all the characteristics of theirs in him. Similarly these characteristics should be there in you too!”
The Imam (as) said, “No doubt! They are there!”
Abu Baseer asked, “O Imam (as)! Can you bring back the dead to life and give light to the eyes of a blind person?”
The Imam (as) replied, “Yes! With Allah’s orders such thungs can happen.” Then the Imam (as) called Abu Baseer near him and touched his eyes with his fingers. The sight of both his eyes was instantly restored. The Imam (as) asked him, “Do you wish to remain with the restored eyesight? Or you wish to return to the former condition to be eligible for entry to the Heaven?”
Abu Baseer said, “I want to be back to my earlier condition!”
‘Ali bin Mugheera narrates that in Imam Musa al-Kadhim (as) was at Mina when he passed near a woman who, along with her children, was lamenting about the death of her cow. The Imam (as) asked her the reason for her sorrow.
The woman said, “My children are orphaned and the cow was the only source of sustenance for us.”
The Imam (as) said, “Shall I put the cow back to life for you?”
The Woman said, “Yes.”
The Imam (as) offered two Rakat of prayer, went near the cow and kicked it, saying, “Qum beizn Allah! – Rise with Allah’s Orders” The cow was restored to life.
Seeing this the woman cried, “You are no doubt, ‘Isa bin Maryam (as)!” The Imam (as) mingled with the crowd discreetly to avoid the attention of the people.
Dawood bin Katheer narrates that once he left home with his wife to go the presence of Imam Ja’far As-Sadiq (as). On the way his wife expired. He went to the Imam (as) and related the tragic incident.
The Imam (as) said, “Go! And you will find your wife is having her meal.
Dawood went back to the place where he had left his wife. He, no doubt, found her busy eating.
It is narrated from Imam Musa al-Kadhim (as) that one day his father, Imam Ja’far As-Sadiq (as), was proceeding towards Areed when a pious, grey-bearded person met him on the way. The Imam (as), seeing the person, went forward respectfully, greeted him and kissed his forehead and the hand. The reverend person gave some advice to the Imam (as). The person who met Imam Ja’far As-Sadiq (as) was none other than Imam Muhammad Al-Baqir (as).
Samaa narrates that one day, after the demise of Imam Muhammad Al-Baqir (as), he went to the presence of Imam Ja’far As-Sadiq (as). He said, “Do you wish to see my late father?” Samaa said, “Yes!” The Imam (as) said, “Enter that room.”
Entering the room, Samaa found Imam Muhammad Al-Baqir (as) sitting there. Then the Imam (as) said that after Amir’ul-Mu’mineen ‘Ali (as) was martyred, some Shi’as approached Imam Hasan (as) and asked certain questions. After giving the replies the Imam (as) said, “Will you recognize my father, if you see him?” The persons said they would, certainly. The Imam (as) said, “Remove the curtain in front of you!” They removed the curtain and found Amir’ul-Mu’mineen ‘Ali (as) sitting there.
Imam Ja’far As-Sadiq (as) narrates that when Amir’ul-Mu’mineen ‘Ali (as) decided to proceed for the battle of Siffin, he crossed the river Euphrates and reached near a hill. It was the time of Asr prayer and therefore he did his ablution mandatory prior to any prayer. The call for prayer, the Adhaan, was given when the hill broke asunder and a loud sound came, “O Vicegerent of the Last Prophet (S)! O Chief of the believers! Greetings to you!”
In reply the Imam (as) said, “My greeting too, O brother Shamoun bin Hamoun, the Vicegerent of ‘Isa (as) bin Marium! How are you!”
In reply Shamoun said, “Alhamdu Lillah!” He also said that he was awaiting the arrival of prophet ‘Isa (as) that he comes and helps Amir’ul-Mu’mineen ‘Ali (as)’s son and Vicegerent. He added, “O Amir’ul-Mu’mineen (as)! If those people had realised your position in the eyes of the Creator, they would never have thought of fighting with you. If the persons, who have come forward to help you, had known about your status, they would fight in your cause till any part of their bodies remained!”
Then Amir’ul-Mu’mineen ‘Ali (as) offered his prayer. Amongst his companions there were Ammar bin Yassir, Malik al-Ashtar, Bin Abbas etc. They asked him, “O Amir’ul-Mu’mineen (as)! Whose voice was that?” He replied, “It was Shamoun the Vicegerent of prophet ‘Isa (as).”
Ibada Asadi narrates that, once he went to the presence of Amir’ul-Mu’mineen ‘Ali (as). The Imam was busy conversing with a person. After the person departed, he asked the Imam (as) who that person was.
He replied, “He was Haroon (as), the Vicegerent of Prophet Musa (as)!”
It is narrated from Amir’ul-Mu’mineen ‘Ali (as) that at the time of his demise the Prophet (S) told him that after giving him the last bath, the Ghusl, he should be put in a sitting posture. Then he may be asked any questions Amir’ul-Mu’mineen ‘Ali (as) liked to ask.
Imam Muhammad Al-Baqir (as) narrates that he accompanied his father, Imam Zain-ul-’Abidin (as), to Mecca. On the way they found a person who had a chain around his neck and another person was pulling him. The person with the chain was crying and asking for water. The other person was saying, “O! Accursed person! There is no water for you!” This was the same person who fought with Amir’ul-Mu’mineen ‘Ali (as) in Siffin and raised the Holy Qur’an on the lance.
Abu Hamza Shimali narrates that once he was in the presence of Imam Zain-ul-’Abidin (as) when some birds came there. The Imam (as) asked, “O Abu Hamza! Do you understand what these birds are saying? They are singing the praises of Allah and claiming for the day’s sustenance!”
Fazeel bin Yasaar narrates that he went to Imam Ja’far As-Sadiq (as) when a pair of pigeons came there. The Imam (as) asked Fazeel if he knew what the birtds were telling. When Fazeel replied in the negative, the Imam (as) said, “The male is telling to the female that there is nothing more dear to him that her! But this Imam (as), our Master, is dearer to me than even you are!”
Muhammad bin Muslim narrates that one day he was in the presence of Imam Muhammad Al-Baqir (as) when a pair of pigeons came and started conversing with the Imam (as) and flew away. He asked the Imam (as) about what transpired between them.
The Imam (as) said, “O Mohammed bin Muslim! Allah has made all the animals more obedient than the human beings to us. The male pigeon was suspicious of its female about her chastity. The female was not able to convince the male about her good character. Therefore, the female asked the male that they would seek my judgement on the matter.
I told the male pigeon that his female was chaste and he should trust her. This convinced him and the pair flew away happily.”
Salman Jafferi narrates that he was sitting with Imam Ar-Ridha’ (as) in his garden. At that time a bird came, started rolling on the ground. The Imam (as) went inside the house for a while. On his return, he asked me, “O Salman! Do you know what this bird was complaining about?” I said, “I don’t know!”
The Imam (as) said, “A snake was eating away its chicks. Even today the snake came to swallow its chicks.The bird came to complain to me about the snake. I went and killed the snake!”
Ahmed bin Haroon narrates that once Imam Musa al-Kadhim (as) came to my tent and left his horse near the rope of the tent and started conversing with me. Suddenly the horse made a loud noise. The Imam (as) smiled hearing this and told to the horse, “Go relieve yourself and come back!” The horse went some distance away from the tent, relieved itself and came back. The Imam (as) said, “O Bin Haroon! You know that Allah has given more miracles to Muhammad (as) and the descendents of Muhammad (as) than to Dawood (as) and the progeny of Dawood (as).”
Muhammad bin Muslim narrates that he was travelling with Imam Muhammad Al-Baqir (as) from Mecca to Medina when a wolf came down a hill and running towards the Imam (as)’s horse. It raised the forelimbs sky-wards and put its face to the ground. The Imam (as) bent down and heard what the wolf way saying. He then told something to the wolf. The wolf was satisfied and ran away. The Imam (as) then asked me what had transpired between him and the wolf. When I said that I couldn’t comprehend anything, the Imam (as) said, “The wolf’s female is in the pains of delivery. It said that we are the resolvers of difficulties and it wanted me to pray that the delivery became easy for its female. It also wanted me to pray that its off springs don’t cause harm to our Shi’as.”
It is narrated that one day Imam Zain-ul-’Abidin (as) was sitting with his companions when one female deer, a doe, came complaining. The Imam (as) asked the companions about what the animal was saying. When the companions expressed their ignorance, the Imam (as) said, “The deer said that a certain Qureishi has captured its little one, the fawn. She requested me to recommend its release so that it can be suckled. It would return the fawn to the Qureishi after feeding it.”
The Imam (as) then asked his companions to accompany him to the Qureishi’s house. He called the person and told him to release the fawn that it would get a feed from its mother and comes back. The Qureishi brought the cub, the deer fed it and returned to the man. The Imam (as) asked the Qureishi to give the little fawn to him. The man readily agreed. The Imam (as) then returned the fawn to its mother. The deer raised its head towards the Heaven as if it was saying a prayer. The companions asked the Imam (as), what the deer was saying.
The Imam (as) replied, “The deer was praying to Allah that the way we helped her to get its little one, our children to be safe with us!”
Yunus bin Tabian narrates that once he and some other persons were in the company of Imam Ja’far As-Sadiq (as). The Imam (as) observed, “Allah has made us the masters of the treasures of the earth.” Then he hit the ground with his foot and gold emerged out of it.
We said, “O master! When you own such treasures, why your Shi’as are in abject penury!”
The Imam (as) said, “The wealth of this world is transitory! We don’t prefer transitory gains for our Shi’as. The wealth of the Hereafter is Permanent, that is in store for our friends!”
It is narrated that one day Amir’ul-Mu’mineen ‘Ali (as) was seated in the Koofa Mosque with his companions They asked him, “How is that more wealth and riches have been bestowed by Allah on your foes than your friends?”
Amir’ul-Mu’mineen ‘Ali (as) replied, “Do you think that we aver the worldly riches, and that Allah is not bestowing them on us! “Saying this, he picked up a handful of pebbles from the ground. They saw that all the pebbles turned into precious stones.
Amir’ul-Mu’mineen ‘Ali (as) then said, “If we wish, the entire surface of the earth will turn into jewels But we are not fond of worldly riches!” Saying this, he threw all the precious stones on the ground and they again turned into pebbles.
Abdu Samad bin ‘Ali narrates that a person went to Imam Zain-ul-’Abidin (as) and said that he was a sooth-sayer. The Imam (as) told him that he would tell him of a person who has, since you have arrived here, has travelled around fourteen worlds, each one thrice as large as This!”
The man asked, “Who could be such a person?”
The Imam (as) said, “I am that person! If you ask I can tell you in detail what you have eaten today and what all you have hidden in your house!”
‘Ali bin Hasan says that while he was at Sammurah he heard that a person was arrested and brought from Syria with the accusation that he had claims to prophet hood. ‘Ali went to the person and made some inquiries with him. The man said, “I was at the place in Syria where the severed head of Imam Husayn (as) was kept. While I was offering prayer, a person appeared and said,’ Get up and come with me!’ I went with the person.
After a while we reached the Mosque of Koofa. He asked me if I recognized the place. I replied in the affirmative. Both of us offered prayer there and were blessed with the sighting of the Prophet (S).Then we reached Mecca and performed Hajj. Immediately after the Hajj I found myself again in Syria and the person I had accompanied had vanished. The following year same person again met me and took me round, as he did earlier, and brought me back to Syria. I was surprised and under an oath of the Creator asked him as to who he was? He stood with his head bent for a while and then said, ‘I am Muhammad bin ‘Ali bin Musa (as)!’ This news spread like wildfire and Abdul Malik called and imprisoned me.”
I asked him to write down all the details and petition for his release. I provided a quill and ink to the man. He wrote down the details and sent the petition to Abdul Malik. Abdul Malik wrote back saying that one who could take him round to all the places in one night, can as well release him!
When I heard this outcome of his petition, I started crying but I also tried to commiserate with the person. The next day I went to the gaol? to inquire about the person. The gaolers? were confounded as to where the prisoner would have vanished despite the strict vigilance.
Hafs Tammar narrates that when Maala bin Khanees was to be executed, he went to the presence of Imam Ja’far As-Sadiq (as). The Imam (as) said, “Maala did not pay heed to what I said and is bearing the consequences. One day he was very morose. I asked him if he was worried because of separation from his family?” He replied in the affirmative. After a while I put my hand over his face and asked him, ‘Where are you now?’ He replied that he was with his family. Again after sometime I put my hand over his face and asked him where he was? He replied that he was with me in Medina.
Then the Imam (as) told him, “O Maala! One who protects our secrets Allah protects him Do not reveal our secrets to others. One who betrays us, meets a very sorry end. He will either be executed or incarcerated for long terms. You have revealed our secrets and you must prepare yourself for your execution!”
It is narrated by Abd Allah bin Sinan that Imam Ja’far As-Sadiq (as) said, “We own a pond that lies between Basra and Yemen. Would you like to see it?”
Abd Allah said, “I shall certainly like to see the pond!”
The Imam (as) held his hand and brought him out of Medina and hit his foot on the ground. A canal became visible, one side of which very pure water flowed and on the other side flowed milk of the highest purity. In the center of the canal flew a beverage of red hue. The scene was very attractive.
Abd Allah said, “My Master! Where is this canal!”
The Imam (as) replied, “Allah has referred of this canal in the Holy Qur’an. This is one of the canals in the Heaven!”
Abdallah noticed very pretty houris on the branches of the trees along the banks of the canal. They held goblets of different hues in their hands. The Imam (as) looked towards one tree which bent low and the houri thereon offered him a cup from which the Imam (as) drank the beverage and gave some to him too. He had never tasted such a delicious sherbet.
The Imam (as) said, “This will be the resting place for our Shi’as when they enter the Heaven. Their thirst will be quenched with the Sharab al-Tahoor and our enemies, when they die, will be taken to the Valley of Barhoot where they will be fed on Zhaqoom (a bitter fruit) and they will get Hameem (very hot water) to drink. May Allah protect people from the hardships of this valley!”
Jabir Jaufi narrates that he asked Imam Ja’far As-Sadiq (as) to tell him about the journey made by prophet Ibrahim (as) under Allah’s orders to the Dominions (Malkoot) of the earth and the Firmament. He was sitting with his head bent when the Imam (as) pointed skywards with his finger and said, “Look up!” When he looked up, he saw the roof of the house developed a hole and there was a strange light in the sky. The Imam (as) said, “Prophet Ibrahim (as) had seen the malkoot of the sky and the earth like this!” The Imam (as) asked me to look down. I did, and found the roof of the house intact again.
Then the Imam (as) held my hand and took me to another place and said, “Do you know what place is this! This is the place where Dhual Qarnain went, this is called thulmat (the region of darkness).” Jabir said, “O Master! Can I open my eyes?” The Imam (as) said, “You may open your eyes, but you cannot see anything in the darkness!”
Then the Imam (as) took him to another place. He said, “This is the ma’ul Hayat (the water of Eternal Life) which Al-Khidr (as) had drunk.” Then the Imam (as) added, “These are the domains of the sky and the earth that prophet Ibrahim (as) was taken around.”
Then the Imam (as) took Jabir on a trip to many other worlds in the universe. Alas, the Imam (as) asked him to open his eyes. When he opened his eyes he found himself in the same place from where they went. Jabir asked the Imam (as), “My Master! How much time we have spent going round?” the Imam (as) replied, “Three hours!”
Abu Baseer narrates that he went to Imam Ja’far As-Sadiq (as). The Imam (as) stamped his foot on the ground when a river appeared at that spot. On the bank of the river there were boats made of silver. We boarded those boats and reached a place where there were tents made of silver. The Imam (as) entered all the tents pitched there and came out. He said that the first tent he entered at the place belonged to the Prophet (S). The second was for Amir’ul-Mu’mineen ‘Ali (as) and the third that of Lady Fatima Zahra (as), the fourth of Lady Khadija (as), fifth of Imam Hasan (as), sixth of Imam Husayn (as), the seventh for Imam ‘Ali bin al Husayn (as), the eighth belongs to my revered father (as) and the ninth is for me. Whosoever of us departs from the world, rests in his tent here.
Saleh bin Saeed narrates that Imam ‘Ali Naqi (as) was made to camp in the Serai of the Faqirs. He went to the presence of the Imam (as) and said, “O Master! I am very sorry that you have been accommodated in such a place. The cruel people have tried to belittle you!”
The Imam (as) said, “O Saleh! You still don’t know us!” Then he pointed in the direction opposite him. Saleh saw a beautiful garden in which canals of fresh water were flowing. There were groups of houris from the Heaven everywhere. There were fruits and flowers of all hues and fragrance in plenty. Saleh was surprised at this spectacle.
The Imam (as) then said, “Wherever we are, all these things are available to us!”
A reliable source quotes Imam Ja’far As-Sadiq (as) as saying, “the world is like a walnut for us that we can turn it the way we want!”
Imam Muhammad Al-Baqir (as) narrates that Du al Qarnain was given the authority to select one of the two types of clouds (Sahab)—the Sahab al-Zalool (the soft clouds) or the Sahab al-Saab (the hard clouds). Du al Qarnain selected Sahab al-Zalool and left the Sahab al-Saab for the Holy Imams (as).
The Imam (as) was asked, “What is Sahab al-Saab?”
The Imam (as) said, “It is the cloud that has thunder, lightning, and thunderbolt. The Saheb-al-Amr, the Twelfth Imam (a.j.), will ride on these clouds on his weekly trips of the Seven layers of the universe.”
Imam Ja’far As-Sadiq (as) narrates that when Allah wishes, He Creates the Imam (as).Then he asks an angel to take the beverage from the Taht al Arsh to the Imam (as) for drinking. When the Imam (as) drinks this beverage, his successor is conceived. He keeps quiet in the womb of the mother for forty days. After this period he starts to speak from within the womb. After birth, he observes the actions of all the creations.
The Imam (as) also said that when the mother of the Imam (as) is pregnant, she feels a kind of laziness and hears a voice congratulating her of the arrival of the wise and sagacious son. After this, there are no symptoms of pregnancy in the mother. After completion of the nine months, the mother of the Imam (as) again hears a voice and only the parents see a light in their surroundings. Then the Imam (as) is born. After the birth, the baby sneezes thrice and after every sneeze utters, “Al hamdu Lillah” loudly. The Imam (as) is born naturally circumcised.”