4. Sorcery is not similar to miracle

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The logic of the disbelievers in Miracles 3. The contradictions between the miracles and the apostles

An important question is raised at this juncture and is found among the debates among the scholars from ancient days: “The polytheists too can perform extra-ordinary deeds after great practice and deliberation, especially a few from India. Kazmi

We find different examples in the books of scholars and old parchments and they are so many that we cannot deny them. Even those who are firm and knowledgeable in this regard confirm this and accept the fact that these extra ordinary things do take place done by those who have no connection with religion whatsoever.

Another question arises here. “How can we differentiate between these extra-ordinary events and the miracles shown by the apostles of God?” “What is the difference if there is any?” Should we consider the doings of some select few people among them and the miracles of the apostles in the same vein?

THE ANSWER:

Firstly it is important to describe sorcery and there has been great discussion about its des c r i p tion and history. It is difficult to ascertain a time frame for its beginning all we can say is that Sorcery is something the origin of it is not very known and it is related to deeds that are abnormal or extra-ordinary done in a certain manner. The aim of sorcery is to mislead and misguide the people.

They some times use Talqini methods (Kazmi) or they put forward problems that are actually non-existent. Some of them take advantage through their expertise and bluffing. This is also called “Trickery” or illusion. They take advantage by engaging the onlookers in other things and then are able to move the things that hey desire so that the onlooker is unable to detect what they do and he believes that they have done something exceptional. They sometimes take the help of their assistants and props or through the variations of lights. This makes their deed seem extra-ordinary for they do not know what has taken place actually.

Then there is the use of spirits and souls and the devils and such deeds are called sorcery or witchcraft.

In the same way we can describe the deeds of some people which they are able to perform through rigorous practice and this too is called sorcery but at times is considered a result of practice.

Anyway, we cannot deny such deeds but it is important to know the difference between miracles, sorcery and extra ordinary feats of some selected persons so that we can fully understand them individually.

We will now take some disputes:

Miracles come from the supreme power of God, while sorcery and the extra-ordinary feats of the specialists is derived from human power and thus miracles are more powerful and limitless compared to sorcery and the limited feats of specialists.

The second des c r i p tion is that the sorcerers and illusionists cannot perform without practice. Till date there has not been any sorcerer or astronomer who could perform on public demand it is because each one among them has a specific expertise only. It is correct that the apostles of God often manifest miracles before the public demand ( like the Qura’n of the Messenger, the staff and shining hand of Moses and the raising of the dead by Jesus) but despite this they were never at a loss in manifesting the miracles demanded by the people like the splitting of the moon or the eradication of the scourge that the people of the Pharaoh had suffered, or the coming of the food for the feast of the apostles of Jesus ( but this was all done on condition that it would unravel the truth and not because of their unwarranted desires)

We find in the story of Moses that he people of the Pharaoh had asked for time to gather their sorcerers and for the performing of their deeds as explained in verse 64 of Surah Ta-Ha that says:

“So devise your plot and then assemble in line. And whoever overcomes this day will indeed be successful.”

But Moses was free from such requirements and he did not ask for time to prepare against the sorcerers and this was because he relied and depended on God while the sorcerers depended on themselves and other humans.

This is why humanly created extra ordinary feats can be challenged and others can also perform them equally well. Such extra -ordinary Performances cannot dare to challenge others nor is it impossible for others to replicate them while the miracles are always limitless.

This also reflects the inability of man to do so (When he relies on human strength). God then asked the Messenger to bring the answer to this as described in verse 88 of Surah Isra that says:

“If men and Jinns come together to bring the like of this Qura’n they will not be able to do so even if some of them were to help the others.”?

It is also true that the human extra-ordinary deeds can never overcome miracles and sorcery cannot stand before miracles because of its limitations. It is like the impossibility of any human being to defy and stand before God.

The clear example of this is found in the story of Moses and the Pharaoh when all the sorcerers had gathered from all parts of Egypt and they took plenty of time to arrange their sorcery but were defeated in an instance before the miracle of Moses. Their sorcery was exposed like a mirage in the desert.

 The miracles decreed by God have a definite purpose of education and thought behind them but sorcery is the result of practice

In other words the miracles are manifest in an instant without any preparations but other exceptional deeds can be shown only after deliberations, preparations and practice which might take years and then too are not firmly established. This can be read in the story of Moses and the Pharaoh in the Qura’n because the Pharaoh accuses his sorcerers to have been the students of Moses and says that it was Moses who taught them intricacies of sorcery. Verse 71 of Surah Ta-Ha says:

“He is the chief who taught you magic”

It is also said that the magicians take years to acclimatize and initiate their students into sorcery.

The living conditions of the miracle maker are the proof of his truthfulness. We can understand the differences between the miracle makers and those who do special deeds by studying their lives. The miracle makers are appointed by God for the guidance of mankind and so we find them attached to those attributes that are required for the discharge of their duties. The aim of the sorcerers and magicians is not to guide mankind and they do not take responsibility for such duties. They do what they do for one of the following purposes:

1. To misguide the simple people.

2. To get famous among the people.

3 It is a way to do business or earn money.

The purpose and aims of these two adversaries are not hidden when they confront each other and you can see that the sorcerers asked for a big reward from the Pharaoh when they came. Verses 113 to 114 of Surah A’raf say:

“So the sorcerers came before the Pharaoh and said, “Indeed there will be a (handsome) reward for us if we are victors. He said: “And you will be among those nearest to me.”

But the apostles have had only one stand as depicted in verse 109 of Surah Shuara that says:

“I ask for no reward from you for it. My reward is only from my Lord of all that exists.”

(These words are what are recorded for most of the Apostles who sought no reward from fellow humans.)

The stationing of the sorcerers with the Pharaoh is proof itself for it exposes their inner motives.

In short if we consider the birth and growth of these people and their performing extra ordinary feats, their behavior and the way they use them we will find valid differences between sorcery and miracles.

Qura’n has pointed this truth in a very profound way. Verse 81 of Surah Yunus says:

“Moses said, “What you have brought is sorcery. God will surely make it worthless; indeed God destroys the work of the mischief makers.”

So the sorcerers are those with evil deeds and they spread mischief and it is also clear that such deeds are not accepted by the mass.

In another place like verses 68 and 69 of Surah Ta-Ha God addresses Moses:

“Fear not! You will surely have the upper hand! Throw that which is in your right hand! It will swallow that which they have made. That which they have made is only a magician’s trick, and magicians will never be successful no mater whatever amount of skill they attain.”

The deed of the sorcerer are illusions and deceptive and they are performed to entice the human souls. These are the people who change things and deceive and this can be discerned by the scrutiny of their trait and usage. The sincerity of the apostles and their truthfulness are the proof of their miracle and gives more prominence to their persona and attributes. (1)

 


 

1. Verse 77 of Surah Yunus clarifies this meaning. `

 

The logic of the disbelievers in Miracles 3. The contradictions between the miracles and the apostles
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