Introduction - Categorization of Prophetic Miracles

Sheikh Said Al Nursi Bediuzzaman has shared hundreds of miracles of the Prophet in his book called 'Miracles of Muhammad'. This book discusses some of the extraordinary incidents that support his prophethood, and his divine mission of calling people to Islam with references to authenticated resources. He divided the prophetic miracles in to several categories and subgroups. Based on Al Nursi's work I decided to divide the miracles in to three main categories. The subsequent posts will share his miracles falling under each category. 

First Category

The first are those that revolve around his birth. Many were displayed at the time of his birth and following his birth. These include many miraculous incidents that happened in the city he was born and throughout the region including Persian and Byzantine territories. Historical evidence suggests astrologists sharing news of his arrival before he was even born as well as the jinns (invisible beings) who informed such astrologists about the arrival of a final messenger. These also include the event when an army from Yemen approached Makkah to destroy it but were annihilated and this took place exactly the same year Prophet Muhammad ﷺ was born.

Second Category

The second category includes those that were performed during his life witnessed by people around him. These were performed due to two reasons, one was to discredit the allegations of the disbelievers who alleged that he was not receiving any revelations from the unseen or that he was copying from the previous revelations or that he was insane etc. To disprove these allegations Allah ﷻ made him perform miracles so that there is no room left to disprove his claims. Others included those that he performed for his companions and those were performed as a mercy from Allah ﷻ in times of need and distress such as hundreds of companions sipped from one bowl of milk to their full and yet the bowl still had milk left for more. This assisted in strengthening the conviction in their faith. 

Third Category
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The third category of miracles are those such as his knowledge of the al-ghayb (unseen) that Allah ﷻ bestowed on him which gave news of the incidents happening during his life which strengthened the Imaan (faith) of the believers as well as provided information which defeated the plans of the disbelievers. This category also includes the prophecies that he made which came to fulfillment in events that happened not very long after his death such as the spread of Islam throughout the region as well as the internal strife of the Muslims. What else and most importantly is included in this category is the prophecies related to the ​end of times, which are happening around the globe right in front of our very eyes, and those who are in disbelief still chose to ignore.