In order to understand this concept better, it is necessary to delve into three related issues. The first is a definition of what a miracle even is. The second is the intent of a miracle and the third is how a miracle is not incompatible with divine laws.

The Definition of a Miracle

Islamic scholars have mentioned the following in their definition of a miracle:[1] ‘A miracle is a supernatural occurrence which is accompanied with tahaddi (challenge to bring the likes of something) and is in correspondence with the claim being made.’

Extraordinary acts or miracles are events that take place in a way other than what commonly takes place within the framework of natural laws. [2]

The Intent behind Miracles

Miracles are performed with very high and lofty goals in mind and they are not performed primarily as a response to ignorant individuals. There have been many cases where the ignorance of people has not been responded to with miracles. Below, we will refer to some of the possible reasons behind the performance of miracles:

1- Showing the limitless power of God.[3]

2- The intent of miracles by the prophets (a) was in proving their prophethood.[4]

3- Miracles were a way through which a special relationship with God was manifested.[5]

4- The intent behind miracles was the guidance of the people.

5- Sometimes, miracles were performed in order to showcase a final proof over the people (so they would be unable to say that they did not know in regards to the existence of God or the truth of the words of a Prophet (a)).

The Lack of Incompatibility in the Matter of Divine Laws and Miracles

A primary question here is as to whether God performs miracles through material and causative means or whether He performs them through other means which we are unaware of. Both of these are possibilities but the last sentence of the third verse of Surah Talaq (قَدْ جَعَلَ اللَّهُ لِکُلِّ شَیْ‏ءٍ قَدْراً) lends more weight towards the reliability of the second issue which we have mentioned. This is because the verse has mentioned that God has set a limit and a measure for everything imaginable; therefore, every cause that is imaginable (such as the fire becoming cool for Prophet Abraham (a), or in the case of the staff of Prophet Moses (a) becoming alive, or in the case of Prophet Jesus (a) bringing the dead to life), even though they do not have any known and physical causes, or even other issues, such a piece of wood catching fire (which is an ordinary matter understood by all) are all due to God. In both of these cases, God has set up certain limits and measures for them and these effects are interrelated with other various effects; God intervenes in these effects and their connections in a way that His desired effect is yielded. Through these causes, God brings about various miracles, such as Prophet Abraham (a) not being burned by the fire. Furthermore, human beings are not the owners or the masters of all of the causes which exist in the world; God is their master and it is He who directs them (makes them exist and gives rise to their effects).

Therefore, from these verses of the Quran, it is understood that God has brought about a state of inter relation and connection between all of the things that exist and He is able to do whatever He wills. Such a thing is not a negation of causation between various things and it does not mean that just because a miracle has taken place, it took place without any cause. This is due to the fact that all things are in the hands of God and He can make things happen in any way or form that He wishes.[6] In addition, a system exists (which we may not understand) which makes such miracles possible. When it is said that a miracle is something supernatural, this cannot be taken to mean that a miracle is an exception in the rules of causation; the laws of causation cannot be negated ever, because causation is something supported both by logic and the Quran.[7]